Zorn bill seeks to support children with hearing loss

State Rep. Dale Zorn, R-Onsted, and Rep. Samantha Steckloff, D-Farmington Hills, introduced a plan Friday to help Michigan children with hearing loss gain access to hearing aids.

Proponents of the bill, including a former Miss Monroe County, spoke at a news conference at the Capitol.

The plan would ensure health insurance coverage for hearing loss treatment and devices for Michigan children.

"Much like the loss of vision, hearing disabilities create a profound disadvantage for the development of our youth," Zorn said. "Children deprived of hearing assistance face obstacles in education and social development."

Former Miss Michigan and 2012 Miss Monroe County K.T. Maviglia-Morgan, who has hearing loss and wears bilateral hearing aids, spoke about the proposed legislation.

"Growing up, I know what it was like for my family to have to pay $5,000 each time I needed new hearing aids," Maviglia-Morgan said. "As two service professionals with three kids, this was a lot. My family was able to make it work, even though it was very difficult for them. However, there are many families in Michigan where this is just not an option, and children are going to school without the proper hearing devices. Hearing aids are not cosmetic, they are necessary. They are necessary devices for children to get a fair shot at their education."

"Zorn's legislation, House Bill 4944, would ensure that Michigan children have insurance coverage through age 19 that covers treatment for hearing loss and up to $3,000 in coverage per hearing aid every 36 months. House Bill 4936, sponsored by Steckloff, ensures coverage is available for audiological exams, hearing aid evaluations and maintenance and audiologist or speech-language pathology services," Zorn's office said in a written statement.

The legislation is similar to measures Zorn has sponsored in previous years.

"I'm glad to have Rep. Steckloff working alongside me on this important issue this year," Zorn said. "With bipartisan support, I'm hopeful we can finally get this across the finish line and connect Michigan kids with the level of care they need to achieve academic success and reach their life goals."