Affordable Hearing representatives help bring Indiana support to veterans hearing care bill

Affordable Hearing representatives Chuck Smith and Chris Smith recently took their advocacy for better access to hearing healthcare beyond their offices in Rochester, Logansport and Lafayette—all the way to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

On August 12, Smith and his assistant joined more than 65 Hearing Aid Specialists from across the country for the International Hearing Society’s Capitol Hill Advocacy Day, held in conjunction with the IHS 2026 Conference & Expo.

The hearing healthcare professionals met with staff members in U.S. Congressional offices to advocate for H.R. 3088, the Veterans Hearing Health Expansion Act, legislation aimed at ensuring licensed Hearing Aid Specialists are able to participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Community Care program.

For Chuck and Chris, one of the most important meetings of the day was with the staff of U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym, who represents Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District and the communities Affordable Hearing serves.

During the meeting, the Smiths discussed the role Hearing Aid Specialists play in providing hearing healthcare, particularly in smaller and rural communities, and asked Yakym’s office to support H.R. 3088.

That conversation produced a tangible result: Following the meeting, Congressman Yakym agreed to become a co-sponsor of H.R. 3088.

“For us, this wasn’t about politics—it was about making sure veterans have access to the hearing healthcare they’ve earned,” said Smith, owner of Affordable Hearing. “Chris and I had the opportunity to sit down with Congressman Yakym’s staff, explain why this legislation matters and talk about what Hearing Aid Specialists are already doing in communities like ours. To see Congressman Yakym then agree to co-sponsor the bill shows that taking the time to have these conversations can make a difference.”

H.R. 3088 would address the participation of licensed Hearing Aid Specialists in the VA Community Care program, potentially giving eligible veterans greater access to hearing healthcare providers in their own communities.

The issue can be particularly important in rural areas, where veterans may otherwise have to travel greater distances to receive care.

“Veterans in communities like Rochester, Logansport and throughout north-central Indiana shouldn’t have to travel farther than necessary to receive quality hearing healthcare when qualified, licensed professionals are already available close to home,” Smith said. “Our veterans served us. We should be looking for responsible ways to make healthcare more accessible to them.”

The August 12 advocacy event brought together more than 65 Hearing Aid Specialists who visited congressional offices to educate lawmakers and their staffs about H.R. 3088 and other issues affecting hearing healthcare.

The effort is part of a broader advocacy campaign by the International Hearing Society, which is working to build bipartisan support for H.R. 3088 during the 119th Congress.

For Smith, participating in the event was also an opportunity to represent the patients and communities Affordable Hearing serves throughout north-central Indiana.

“We went to Washington representing our profession, but we were also there representing our patients, our communities and the veterans who live right here in Indiana,” Smith said. “It was rewarding to know that our conversation with Congressman Yakym’s office helped turn that advocacy into actual support for the legislation.”

Smith said the experience reinforced the importance of local professionals becoming involved in issues that affect the people they serve.

“It’s easy to think decisions in Washington are a long way removed from a small business or a patient sitting in one of our offices in Indiana,” Smith said. “But this experience showed us that when constituents show up, explain an issue and tell lawmakers why it matters back home, they do listen.”

Affordable Hearing provides hearing healthcare services through locations in Rochester, Logansport and Lafayette, Indiana.

About Affordable Hearing

Affordable Hearing is a locally owned hearing healthcare practice serving north-central Indiana with locations in Rochester, Logansport and Lafayette. The practice provides hearing evaluations, hearing aid fitting and programming, hearing aid cleaning and service, earwax removal and other hearing healthcare services.