An interesting thing is happening in a number of states right now. A bill
was introduced in the Iowa Senate two weeks ago that does not contain the
words "hearing aid," "audiologist," "hearing aid dealer," or anything like
that. It is a hearing aid "lemon law." I really refer to it as the
"Manufacturer's Bill from Hell."
It requires that if an "assistive device" (defined elsewhere in the Iowa
Code to include everything pertaining to breathing, seeing, hearing,
smelling and about everything else in life) should need to be repaired more
than two times in the first year, the MANUFACTURER of the device must refund
to the consumer the entire purchase price of the assistive device, i.e.
hearing aid! (Yup, that is exactly what it says!)
Apparently, a government grant was used to hold a convention this past fall
and they taught persons from most or all of the states how to lobby their
legislatures to get this bill ennacted.
A similar bill was passed in Minnesota, Missouri and one other state last
year. It is being introduced into nearly every state right now. The bill is
written in such a way that most audiologists and hearing aid dealers will
never know it exists! And the bill is so complicated that most persons won't
even know what it says.
Paul Woodard ;-)
Des Moines Iowa USA
