Senate Bill 57-Hearing Aid Bill

An article titled Students lobby for hearing aid bill was published in our local newspaper. We hope it passes, not so much for Luca because he already has hearing aids and we were lucky enough to be able to afford them, but for all the other kids whose parents can't afford hearing aids. Of course, Luca will need hearing aids again in 4-5 years and we would love if it was covered by our insurance the second time around.

Hearing Aids for Children Bill

Senator Ken Kester and Senator Betty Boyd are presenting a bill to the Colorado General Assembly which would require insurance companies to cover the cost of hearing aids for infants and children. Hearing aids are necessary for children hard-of- hearing to develop speech and listening skills. 1 in 5 hard of hearing children do not get hearing aids because their parents cannot afford them. If you live in Colorado, please contact your local senator and encourage them to vote in favor of the Hearing Aids for Children bill. If you go to votesmart.org you can find who your local representative by typing in your zip code.

In Pueblo, call:

Representative Abel Tapia at 303-866-4878 or abel.tapia.senate@state.co.us
Representative Dorothy B. Butcher 303-866-2968 or dorothy.butcher.house@state.co.us

I would love if my friends supported my family and me and called or email Abel and Dorothy. If they receive 6 calls or emails, it is considerate a mandate.

Luca has a mild to moderate hearing loss, which means without hearing aids, he cannot hear the chirping of the birds, running water, vowel sounds or letters like p,h, g, ch, k. Our audiologist said because of Luca's hearing loss it may have "significant impact on Luca's speech-language development, psychosocial development and educational achievement." With hearing aids, however, Luca's hearing is bumped up to the normal range.

Our hearing aids were not covered by insurance, United Healthcare and Sergio and I have paid out of pocket over $4000 to provide Luca with hearing aids and appropriate medical treatment. Fortunately, infants like Luca, who are fitted for hearing aids before 6 months of age and receive early intervention, are likely to develop good listening and language skills.


In Colorado Springs contact:
Representative Andrew McElhany
andrew.mcelhany.house@state.co.us
303-866-2318

Representative Michael Merrifield
michael.merrifield.house@state.co.us
303-866-2932


Representative Betty Boyd
betty.boyd.senate@state.co.us
303-866-4857


Representative Ken Kester
ken.kester.senate@state.co.us
303-866-4877