Beginning Sept. 1, active duty family members (ADFMs), who meet specific hearing-loss requirements, will be eligible to receive hearing aids including services and supplies as a TRICARE benefit.

This benefit is extended to ADFMs as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2002. Previously, hearing aids and services were only available to those beneficiaries who were in the Program for Persons with Disabilities (PFPWD).

The FY 2002 NDAA provision allows for coverage of a hearing aid to ADFMs diagnosed with a "profound" hearing loss. With the assistance of service physicians and audiologists from both the Department of the Defense and Veterans Affairs, TRICARE established separate hearing-level thresholds for adults and children.

The criteria for an adult ADFM to qualify for hearing aids and services are:

(1) 40 decibel (dB) hearing loss (HL) or greater in one or both ears when tested at one of the following frequencies; 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 3,000 or 4,000Hz; or

(2) 26dB HL or greater in one or both ears at any three or more of those frequencies (mentioned previously); or

(3) A speech recognition score less than 94 percent

The criterion for children of active duty service members to qualify for hearing aids and services is:

(1) 26dB HL or greater hearing threshold level in one or both ears when tested in one of the following frequency ranges; 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 or 4,000Hz

Eligible TRICARE beneficiaries will receive all medically necessary and appropriate services and supplies, including hearing examinations administered by authorized providers that are required in connection with this benefit.

Eligible beneficiaries who suspect they or a family member may have a hearing loss should schedule an appointment with their primary care manager or medical provider for an examination. Beneficiaries will then be referred to an audiologist for any necessary tests.

For more information, beneficiaries may visit the TRICARE Web site or call the TRICARE Regional Office (TRO) North (1-877-874-2273), TRO South (1-800-444-5445), or TRO West (1-888-874-9378). Overseas beneficiaries may call 1-888-777-8343.