Mary Dyer advocates for Iowans with hearing loss as a member of the state Deaf Services Commission. -promoted by desmoinesdem
Support House File 2141, the Telecoil Bill, approved by the Deaf Services Commission of Iowa. This bill would allow those with hearing loss to hear more clearly, ensuring continued involvement in civic and personal life.
How many people have hearing loss? About 20 percent (Johns Hopkins study, et al). Side effects may include depression, isolation, suicidal ideation, and higher risk of Altzheimer’s.
What is a telecoil? Hearing instruments can’t separate speech from confusing background noise. A telecoil can expand the functionality of your hearing instrument.
How does it work? A telecoil, installed in most hearing instruments, has a wireless antenna linking into a sound system to deliver customized sound to the listener.
What does HF 2141 do? Requires hearing instrument specialist to inform client at point of purchase of usages of telecoil. Client must sign document stating they received written copy of this information; hearing specialist must keep copy for length of warranty on hearing instrument.
Current Status of bill: Referred to House Human Resources Committee on January 30. At this writing, the bill has not been assigned to a subcommittee.
Addressing common concerns: This is a non-partisan bill. Hearing loss affects every demographic: gender, age, income, political party. This bill also needs no funding. The law, once enacted, is sent to the state licensing board governing hearing instrument specialists.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
• Contact your representatives and ask them to support this bill
• Contact your friends and acquaintances
• Contact members of the House Human Resources Committee to show your support:
NAME COUNTY DIST. EMAIL
Joel Fry, Chair, R. Clarke 27 joel.fry@legis.iowa.gov
Michael Bergan, Vice Chair, R. Winneshiek 55 michael.bergan@legis.iowa.gov
Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, Ranking Member., D. Story 45 beth.wessell-kroeschell@legis.iowa.gov
Ako Abdul-Samad, D. Polk 35 ako.abdul-samad@legis.iowa.gov
Marti Anderson, D. Polk 36 marti.anderson@legis.iowa.gov
Rob Bacon, R. Story 48 rob.bacon@legis.iowa.gov
Brian Best, R. Carroll 12 brian.best@legis.iowa.gov
Timi Brown-Powers, D. Black Hawk 61 timi.brown-powers@legis.iowa.gov
Cecil Dolecheck, R. Ringgold 24 cecil.dolecheck@legis.iowa.gov
John Forbes, D. Polk 40 john.forbes@legis.iowa.gov
David E. Heaton, R. Henry 84 dave.heaton@legis.iowa.gov
Lisa Heddens, D. Story 46 lisa.heddens@legis.iowa.gov
Steven Holt, R. Crawford 18 steven.holt@legis.iowa.gov
Bruce L. Hunter, D. Polk 34 bruce.hunter@legis.iowa.gov
Jon A. Jacobsen, R. Pottawattamie 22 jon.jacobsen@legis.iowa.gov
Kevin Koester, R. Polk 38 kevin.koester@legis.iowa.gov
Shannon Lundgren, R. Dubuque 57 shannon.lundgren@legis.iowa.gov
Mary Mascher, D. Johnson 86 mary.mascher@legis.iowa.gov
Tom Moore, R. Cass 21 tom.moore@legis.iowa.gov
Sandy Salmon, R. Black Hawk 63 sandy.salmon@legis.iowa.gov
Rob Taylor, R. Linn 44 rob.taylor@legis.iowa.gov
Note: Fourteen Iowa House Democrats are co-sponsoring HF 2141: Art Staed, Mary Mascher, Jerry Kearns, Scott Ourth, Todd Taylor, Mary Gaskill, Mary Wolfe, Cindy Winckler, Vicki Lensing, Ruth Ann Gaines, Helen Miller, Amy Nielsen, Ras Smith, and Ako Abdul-Samad.
[prepared by Mary Dyer, Deaf Services Commissioner, mdyer@hasloopscom, Feb. 5, 2018]