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Committee backs telehearing bill allowing mail delivery of prescription hearing aids for adults
Summary
CS/SB 126 would permit prescription hearing aids to be distributed by mail after a Florida-licensed audiologist or hearing aid specialist conducts a hearing exam; the committee adopted a strike-all amendment that limits mail distribution to adults and requires a remote determination and fitting by a licensee.
The Commerce and Tourism Committee voted to report CS/SB 126 favorably after adopting a strike-all amendment that authorizes the distribution and sale of prescription hearing aids through the mail for patients 18 and older following a licensed telehealth exam.
Sponsor Senator Bradley told the committee that Florida statutes currently prohibit mailing prescription hearing aids and said the bill aligns Florida with more than 40 other states by removing barriers to telehearing. Under the adopted strike-all amendment, minors must be examined and fitted in person; mail distribution and remote fitting are limited to adult patients. Prescription hearing aids delivered by mail may not be activated until a Florida-licensed audiologist or hearing aid specialist determines the patient needs the device during the telehealth appointment, the sponsor said.
The sponsor framed the measure as improving access to care: "This bill will remove barriers to telehearing and safely increase access to hearing care for our residents and align Florida with over 40 other states," Senator Bradley said.
Committee procedure and outcome: There was no public opposition recorded in committee testimony and the roll call recorded support; CS/SB 126 was reported favorably and will move to later stages of consideration.
Ending: The bill includes practitioner regulations and federal and state consumer protections that continue to apply; sponsors said they would rely on existing professional standards to govern remote fitting and distribution.
