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2/10/2009INTERNATIONAL HEARINGSOCIETYAdvocates for Hearing HealthMissionIHS advocates and supports the higheststandards of professional competency,business integrity and excellencein serving the hearing impaired.1

2/10/2009Historical AdvancesSince 1951 IHS has continued to advocate formaximized access to quality hearing healthcareproducts and professional services.Historical Advances Federal government recognizes hearing aidspecialists FDA regulation preamble states that "the [FDA]Commissioner regards the hearing aid dispenser as animportant member of the hearing healthcare team,strategically positioned within the delivery system toprovide the hearing aid user with essential services.“View is maintained today as witnessed by the 2001withdrawal of FDA Proposed RulemakingFDA rejects Citizen Petitions seeking Over-theCounter hearing aid sales2

2/10/2009Historical Advances (cont.) IHS developed and implemented many of theoriginal licensure statutes in place todayHearing aid specialists recognized as HealthcarePractitioners in Federal Standard OccupationalClassification ManualAlliance forged with AAO-HNSCongressional Hearing Health Caucus formed bymembers of Congress; IHS invited to serve onadvisory boardHearing Healthcare Market TodayToday’s hearing healthcare marketplace hasgrown and changed dramatically.3

2/10/2009Today’s Hearing Health Professional 10,000 hearing aid specialists9,000 ENT physicians12,000 audiologistsHearing aid specialists dispense 50% of hearingaidsToday’s Consumer Hearing loss is the 3rd most common chroniccondition31.5 million Americans have hearing loss24 million could benefit from a hearing aid 10million baby-boomers aged 45-64 9 million people over 65 Hearing loss affects mental and physical healthPotential loss of income of up to 12,000 per year4

2/10/2009IHS Helps Grow Market PenetrationIHS works with federal policymakers to helppromote increased access to hearing healthcare.Hearing Aid Tax Credit Provides tax credit of up to 500 per aid every 5years for age 55 and over and their dependentsH.R. 2329 Introducedby Carolyn McCarthy (NY) and Vern Ehlers(MI) 112 co-sponsors S. 1410 Introducedby Norm Coleman (MN) and Tom Harkin (IA) 13 co-sponsors5

2/10/2009Tax Credit Co-Sponsors (as of 12/3/08)S.1410 - 13 Cosponsors, as of 12/3/2008Introduced on 5/15/2007 — Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN)Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] - 4/29/2008Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] - 7/11/2007Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY] - 5/23/2007Sen Cochran, Thad [MS] - 5/23/2007Sen Craig, Larry [ID] – 9/22/08Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] - 6/19/2008Sen Harkin, Tom [IA] - 5/16/2007Sen Kohl, Herb [WI] - 6/11/2007Sen Smith, Gordon H. [OR] - 5/23/2007Sen Stabenow, Debbie [MI] - 4/1/2008H.R. 2329 - 112 Cosponsors, as of 12/3/2008Introduced on 5/15/2007 — Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY)Rep Allen, Thomas H. [ME-1] - 9/17/2007Rep Altmire, Jason [PA-4] - 10/30/2007Rep Bachmann, Michele [MN-6] - 4/15/2008Rep Bachus, Spencer [AL-6] - 9/24/2007Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] - 5/17/2007Rep Bartlett, Roscoe G. [MD-6] - 5/16/2007Rep Berkley, Shelley [NV-1] - 3/5/2008Rep Bishop, Timothy [NY-1] – 9/9/2008Rep Bono Mack, Mary [CA-45] – 8/1/2008Rep Boren, Dan [OK-2] - 7/23/2007Rep Boucher, Rick [VA-9] - 10/25/2007Rep Boustany, Charles W., Jr. [LA-7] - 6/27/2007Rep Burton, Dan [IN-5] - 7/23/2007Rep Butterfield, G. K. [NC-1] - 6/27/2007Rep Calvert, Ken [CA-44] - 12/12/2007Rep Capuano, Michael E. [MA-8] - 12/4/2007Rep Carnahan, Russ [MO-3] – 6/26/2008Rep Carson, Andre [IN-7] - 6/5/2008Rep Chandler, Ben [KY-6] - 10/18/2007Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] - 5/16/2007Rep Diaz-Balart, Lincoln [FL-21] - 5/16/2007Rep Duncan, John J., Jr. [TN-2] - 1/28/2008Rep Ehlers, Vernon J. [MI-3] - 5/15/2007Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] - 4/1/2008Rep English, Phil [PA-3] - 4/15/2008Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] - 4/23/2008Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 5/15/2008Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 9/17/2007Rep Gerlach, Jim [PA-6] - 6/6/2007Rep Gordon, Bart [TN-6] - 9/4/2007Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] – 8/1/2008Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 5/15/2007Rep Hall, Ralph M. [TX-4] - 8/3/2007Rep Heller, Dean [NV-2] - 6/5/2008Rep Higgins, Brian [NY-27] - 5/22/2007Rep Hinchey, Maurice [NY-22] – 9/9/2008Rep Honda, Michael [CA-15] – 7/15/2008Rep Hooley, Darlene [OR-5] - 7/23/2007Rep Inslee, Jay [WA-1] - 7/24/2007Rep Jindal, Bobby [LA-1] - 5/17/2007Rep Johnson, Timothy V. [IL-15] - 9/10/2007Rep Kildee, Dale E. [MI-5] - 8/3/2007Rep Klein, Ron [FL-22] - 4/15/2008Rep Kline, John [MN-2] - 12/12/2007Rep Knollenburg, Joe [MI-9] – 6/26/2008Rep Kuhl, John R. "Randy" Jr. [NY-29] - 6/6/2007Rep Lampson, Nick [TX-22] - 4/1/2008Rep Larson, John [CT-1] – 9/9/2008Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] - 5/15/2008Rep Lynch, Stephen F. [MA-9] - 5/15/2007Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 5/16/2007Rep Marchant, Kenny [TX-24] - 6/17/2008Rep Markey, Edward [MA-7] – 12/10/2008Rep Marshall, Jim [GA-8] - 7/23/2007Rep McCarthy, Kevin [CA-22] - 5/16/2007Rep McCollum, Betty [MN-4] - 5/15/2007Rep McCotter, Thaddeus G. [MI-11] - 5/16/2007Rep McIntyre, Mike [NC-7] - 5/15/2007Rep McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [WA-5] - 9/17/2007Rep Meeks, Gregory W. [NY-6] - 7/23/2007Rep Miller, Brad [NC-13] – 9/9/2008Rep Moore, Dennis [KS-3] - 5/22/2007Rep Moran, Jerry [KS-1] - 5/15/2008Rep Murphy, Tim [PA-18] - 5/24/2007Rep Neugebauer, Randy [TX-19] - 7/23/2007Rep Nunes, Devin [CA-21] – 10/2/2008Rep Oberstar, James L. [MN-8] - 6/17/2008Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] - 5/15/2007Rep Peterson, Collin C. [MN-7] - 6/6/2007Rep Petri, Thomas E. [WI-6] - 7/24/2007Rep Platts, Todd Russell [PA-19] - 10/18/2007Rep Porter, Jon C. [NV-3] - 1/28/2008Rep Pickering, Chip [MS-3] - 6/20/2008Rep Price, David E. [NC-4] - 7/24/2007Rep Ramstad, Jim [MN-3] - 5/16/2007Rep Reynolds, Thomas M. [NY-26] - 6/12/2007Rep Rehberg, Dennis R. [MT] - 6/5/2008Rep Rogers, Mike [AL-3] – 9/9/2008Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [FL-18] - 9/24/2007Rep Roskam, Peter J. [IL-6] - 6/27/2007Rep Ross, Mike [AR-4] - 6/5/2008Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] - 11/15/2007Rep Ruppersberger [MD-2] – 9/9/2008Rep Salazar, John [CO-3] – 9/9/2008Rep Sanchez, Linda T. [CA-39] - 5/22/2007Rep Saxton, Jim [NJ-3] - 9/10/2007Rep Schiff, Adam [CA-29] – 11/20/2008Rep Schwartz, Allyson Y. [PA-13] - 3/5/2008Rep Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [WI-5] - 5/15/2007Rep Sestak, Joe [PA-7] - 12/12/2007Rep Shays, Christopher [CT-4] - 5/15/2007Rep Shimkus, John [IL-19] - 5/22/2007Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [NY-28] - 6/6/2007Rep Space, Zachary T. [OH-18] - 9/26/2007Rep Terry, Lee [NE-2] - 5/15/2007Rep Udall, Tom [NM-3] - 11/13/2007Rep Upton, Fred [MI-6] - 5/22/2007Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] - 5/15/2007Rep Walberg, Tim [MI-7] – 6/26/2208Rep Walsh, James T. [NY-25] - 5/15/2007Rep Walz, Timothy J. [MN-1] - 5/23/2007Rep Wamp, Zach [TN-3] - 9/26/2007Rep Welch, Peter [VT] - 4/15/2008Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] - 5/15/2007Rep Wilson, Heather [NM-1] - 7/24/2007Rep Wittman, Robert [VA-1] – 8/1/2008Rep Wu, David [OR-1] - 5/15/2007Hearing Aid Tax Credit (cont.) IHS partners with allied hearing health organizations to supporthearing aid tax credit legislationIHS Board of Governors and stafflobbied federal legislators inWashingtonIHS partners with HIA to promote events for key supporters in theirhome districtsIHS promotes support within its membership and affiliate chaptersGo to the IHS website (www.ihsinfo.org) for information and links toother sites6

2/10/2009Inclusion in Federal Insurance Programs IHS partnered with AAO-HNS and HIA to meet withrepresentatives from the Office of Personnel Management(OPM) OPM has jurisdiction over the Federal Employees Health BenefitsProgram (FEHBP) which covers approximately eight milliongovernment workers and their familiesFEHBP is often cited as a model for healthcare reform effortsOPM issued the following statement to its insurance carriers:We strongly encourage you to enhance hearing benefits for adults. Inparticular, we request all carriers add benefits for hearing aids foradults, including screening and testing services. Licensed and qualifiedhearing health care providers (hearing aid specialists, audiologists andotolaryngologists) should be included in provider networks for hearingaids and related services.Inclusion in Network Provider Programs IHS developed a position statement on networkprovider inclusion Hearingaid specialists must be among the providersincluded in any network that provides coverage forhearing aids and related services To preserve patient choice and ensure quality hearinghealthcare for the greatest number of Americans,licensed hearing aid specialists must be among theproviders included in any provider network thatprovides care to patients with coverage for hearingaids and related services7

2/10/2009Surgeon General Receptive to Promotion ofHearing Health IHS collaborated with allied hearing healthorganizations to urge the U.S. Surgeon General topromote public awareness of hearing healthIHS, HLAA, HIA, AAA, ASHA,AAO-HNS and NADIHS Working in the StatesWith the FDA proposed rule change dead, thespotlight has shifted to the states.8

2/10/2009Legislative Monitoring IHS subscribes to a legislative and regulatorymonitoring serviceIHS works with chapter leadership to notify, amend,support or oppose specific legislative initiativesIHS partners with AAO-HNS as appropriatePrevalent trends: insurance coverage, educationalrequirements and taxationSpecific State Successes Arizona – increased annual CE requirement to 12Colorado – Sunset – extended regulation and converted registration tolicensureInsurance – included provision of hearing aids to minorsKentucky – killed draft bill to expand audiologists’ scope ofpracticeMaryland – increased education requirements to a 2-yeardegreeMinnesota – stopped a large increase in licensing feesNebraska – stopped initiative to eliminate dual licensureNew Mexico – included provision of hearing aids to minorsNorth Carolina – stopped initiative to eliminate dual licensure9

2/10/2009Proactive Initiatives IHS Model Licensure Act and Practice Profile guidechangeMichigan – working to establish CE requirementsand ILE utilizationNew Hampshire – working to reinstate rules andraise educational requirementsNew Mexico – working to amend statute to expandHAS scope of practice, raise licensure requirementsand remove title restrictionAudioprosthologist Title Restriction AAA ChallengeIHS developed a position statementIHS invokes Legal Counsel in defense of its positionFL, IA, KY, MO, NE, NY, NC, OK, TN, WIEach member must actively monitor any discussion,complaints, and licensing board meetings10

2/10/2009Join the Team!In addition to its aggressive advocacy to protectyour right to practice, IHS offers a well roundedbenefit package from training to continuingprofessional development to consumer outreach.Education Distance Learning Program5th edition available now Over 900 trainees in 2007 Program to go online in 2009 Expanded International Licensing Exam Utilized by 38 states and 3 provincesContinuing Education 300courses approved in 2007 Over 15,000 certificates issued11

2/10/2009Professional Development Audioprosthology Program ACEreview garnered high marks Equivalent to 15 upper baccalaureate semester hours 17 graduates from 3 programs in 2007 New Audioprosthology publication series First of six completed this springDevelopment of 2 and 4-year college degreeprogramsCommunications The Hearing Professional magazine Latestindustry developments CEU articles Ongoing consumer assistance HearingAid Helpline Member referrals Public Awareness Hearing Aid Awareness WeekInteractive/Informational Website12

2/10/2009Annual Convention San Diego, California – October 14-18, 2009 Highestquality seminars Action-packed festivities Expo of latest technology and servicesBe an Advocate for Hearing Health Become an IHS memberSupport your local IHS chapterMeet with your legislatorsContribute to the IHS Advocacy Alliance13

Rep Kuhl, John R. "Randy" Jr. [NY-29] -6/6/2007 Rep Lampson, Nick [TX-22] -4/1/2008 Rep Larson, John [CT-1] -9/9/2008 Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] -5/15/2008 Rep Lynch, Stephen F. [MA-9] -5/15/2007 Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] -5/16/2007 Rep Marchant, Kenny [TX-24] -6/17/2008 Rep Markey, Edward [MA-7] -12/10/2008 Rep Marshall, Jim [GA-8] -7 .