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ASHA is pleased to commend and support a provision in H.R. 5658, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, that would establish a Center of Excellence in the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of hearing loss and auditory system injuries. A Center of Excellence for auditory disorders will ensure highest quality of audiologic care, improve access to care, and create an advocacy network for American service members with hearing loss and balance disorders. The legislation is now being considering by the Senate.
In report language accompanying the legislation, the House Committee on Armed Services stated that Department of Defense needs to focus and accelerate its efforts to address the hearing needs of services members due to the vast operational, health and quality of life issues associated with exposure to high noise levels and blasts. The committee cited a study that found that of the military personnel associated with Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom that had been exposed to blasts, more than 50 percent had significant hearing loss, 49 percent reported tinnitus, 3 percent experienced tympanic membrane perforation, 26 percent indicated ear pain and 15 percent complained of dizziness.
ASHA will work with the Senate to ensure that this provision is included in the final legislation that will be sent to the President. For additional information, contact Ingrida Lusis, ASHA's Director of Federal and Political Advocacy, at ilusis@asha.org or by phone at 202-624-5951.
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