Governor Bruce Rauner has signed legislation to help the state's young people get access to replacement hearing aids. Rauner was flanked by ten-year-old Hunter Martin of Illiopolis as he signed a bill mandating insurers cover replacement hearing aids for each ear and covers all hearing-impaired people at age 18 or younger.....

 

 

 

Martin previously testified in front of House and Senate committees on the issue...

 

 

 

Replacements are required every three years. The law also says repairs to those hearing aids and ear examinations, fittings and adjustments to ear molds must be covered “when deemed medically necessary”. Hearing aids can carry a cost of up to $4,000. Rauner says lack of proper equipment can cause hearing impaired youth to fall behind academically and socially.