Congressman Thompson Calls Tax Credit Worthy of Top Consideration in Next Congress

Napa, California, September 9, 2008 — A capacity crowd of 75 Napa Valley residents gathered on Friday, Aug. 22 to urge Congressman Mike Thompson to champion the hearing aid tax credit (H.R. 2329) in the House of Representatives. During the event, residents talked about how the lack of financial assistance for hearing aid treatment is a major personal obstacle to addressing their hearing loss. Rep. Thompson, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee that determines the fate of tax legislation, noted that the bill is worthy of top consideration in 2009.

After listening to his constituents describe how important hearing aids are to success at work and communicating with family and friends, Rep. Thompson noted that he also has a hearing loss which occurred while he was with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam. He also noted that the tax credit is an issue that will be put "on the front burner" in 2009. The event was hosted by the Hearing Loss Assn of California (HLA-CA) and the California Chapter of the Alexander Graham Bell Assn. for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AGB-CA).

Local chapters of HLAA and AG Bell have hosted similar events for Representatives in Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Texas to draw attention to the problems created by the lack of financial assistance for people who need hearing aids. Volunteers Lyndsay Groff, a Napa hearing aid dispenser and International Hearing Society member;Bern Klein of the HLA-Napa Valley chapter;Marilyn Finn with HLA-CA;and Shea Denham with AGB-CA organized the program which was sponsored by Hearing Industries Association.



Rep. Thompson takes audience questions, while Bern Klein (HLA-Napa Valley) looks on.



A capacity crowd listens to Rep. Thompson



Rep. Thompson with the children who led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.