An Act to reduce inequities in access to hearing aids
Generates a plain-language summary of the bill text and history.
| Date | Branch | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 10/2/2025 | House | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means |
| 8/28/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 09/08/2025 from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM in A-2 |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 2/27/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure |
| Committee | Recommendation | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| J17 | Favorable | — |
Section 73 of chapter 93 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the first and second paragraphs, and inserting in place thereof the following:-
No physician shall sell hearing aids or have a direct or indirect membership, employment, co-ownership, or proprietary interest in or with a business which sells hearing aids to, a person to whom such physician has provided services pursuant to section 72; provided, however, that this restriction shall not apply to an otolaryngologist or a nonprofit or charitable organization, clinic, hospital or health care facility which sells hearing aids that are dispensed by a licensed audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. An audiologist or otolaryngologist who sells a hearing aid to a person to whom such audiologist or otolaryngologist had provided services pursuant to section 72 shall disclose to the prospective purchaser before the sale of the hearing aid the fees for the services provided pursuant to section 72 and the terms of the prospective sale of the hearing aid, including a written estimate of the total purchase price, including, but not limited to, the cost of the hearing aid, the earmold, any batteries or other accessories, and any service costs, and shall inform the prospective purchaser of his right to obtain a hearing aid from a different source.
Section 200 of chapter 112 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (c) and inserting in place thereof the following:- (c) Nothing in sections 197 to 200, inclusive, shall be construed to prevent an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist from dispensing or selling hearing aids when employed by or affiliated with an otolaryngologist. (d) A violation of sections 197 to 199, inclusive, shall also constitute a violation of chapter 93A.
SECTION 1. Section 73 of chapter 93 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the first and second paragraphs, and inserting in place thereof the following:- Section 73. No physician shall sell hearing aids or have a direct or indirect membership, employment, co-ownership, or proprietary interest in or with a business which sells hearing aids to, a person to whom such physician has provided services pursuant to section 72; provided, however, that this restriction shall not apply to an otolaryngologist or a nonprofit or charitable organization, clinic, hospital or health care facility which sells hearing aids that are dispensed by a licensed audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. An audiologist or otolaryngologist who sells a hearing aid to a person to whom such audiologist or otolaryngologist had provided services pursuant to section 72 shall disclose to the prospective purchaser before the sale of the hearing aid the fees for the services provided pursuant to section 72 and the terms of the prospective sale of the hearing aid, including a written estimate of the total purchase price, including, but not limited to, the cost of the hearing aid, the earmold, any batteries or other accessories, and any service costs, and shall inform the prospective purchaser of his right to obtain a hearing aid from a different source. SECTION 2. Section 200 of chapter 112 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (c) and inserting in place thereof the following:- (c) Nothing in sections 197 to 200, inclusive, shall be construed to prevent an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist from dispensing or selling hearing aids when employed by or affiliated with an otolaryngologist. (d) A violation of sections 197 to 199, inclusive, shall also constitute a violation of chapter 93A.