Hearing Aid Users Enhanced Protections

The bill requires the director of the division of professions and occupations in the department of regulatory agencies to adopt rules:

• Requiring hearing aid providers and audiologists to disclose hearing aid pricing, including the price for the hearing aid and an itemized list of attachments, accessories, and services included with the sale of the hearing aid. The rules must also address disclosure of those items or services that require an additional expenditure.
• Requiring hearing aid providers and audiologists to explain to prospective and current hearing aid users the different communication and connectivity options available via technological advances for different environments used by the hearing aid user.

The bill defines the term 'locked' with respect to hearing aids under the 'Colorado Consumer Protection Act'. The bill requires dispensers of hearing aids to deliver receipts to purchasers that contain the manufacturer's model number or name, or both. If the hearing aid is locked, the bill makes it a violation of the 'Colorado Consumer Protection Act' to fail to inform a prospective purchaser orally and in writing before the prospective purchaser agrees to purchase the hearing aid or fails to provide the purchaser a listing of sellers or other persons or entities in Colorado that can provide service on the hearing aid and steps the purchaser can take to get the hearing aid unlocked.

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)