Hawaii Takes a Huge Step Toward Better Hearing Health

HB1974 (C.D. 1) Establishes Hawaii State Plan on Hearing Loss

Hearing loss isn’t just an issue about communication. It affects education, employment, healthy aging, social connection, cognitive health and overall quality of life. That’s why Hawaii’s HB 1974 (C.D. 1), signed into law on July 10, 2026, is a meaningful and practical move for the state.

This new bill was strongly advocated for by members of HLAA and others in the hearing loss community. It directs the Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA) to create a comprehensive State Plan on Hearing Loss—a foundational blueprint to help stakeholders better understand and assess needs, close service gaps and strengthen access to hearing care statewide.

What does the Hawaii State Plan on Hearing Loss do?

HB1974 requires SHPDA to develop and publish a statewide plan focused on improving hearing health care access and affordability, increasing awareness, expanding workforce capacity and prioritizing early detection and intervention, treatment options and long-term outcomes for people with hearing loss from infants to older adults. Although it does not instantly solve every barrier to hearing care, the Hawaii State Plan will create a shared roadmap for future initiatives that strengthen the state’s approach to hearing health services.

The bill appropriates $100,000 in general funds for FY 2026–2027 to support SHPDA’s work to develop and publish the plan. Funds may be used for project management and interagency collaboration, statewide stakeholder engagement, consulting subject matter experts and drafting, reviewing and publishing the final plan.

What’s especially significant is that this bill creates a framework for ongoing planning, implementation and accountability. The state will be required to provide progress updates and recommendations every odd-numbered legislative session, ensuring that hearing health remains part of Hawaii’s long-term policy discussions. This is a major step toward making hearing health a recognized public health priority.

How will the State Plan benefit residents with hearing loss?

For years, adults and children with hearing loss in Hawaii have faced many challenges, such as delayed diagnosis, lack of follow-up, difficulty finding services, high costs for hearing aids and assistive technology, limited public awareness, workforce shortages and a hard-to-navigate healthcare system. While many organizations and providers have been doing important work, there has never been a coordinated statewide effort to identify the gaps and develop a long-term strategy for improving hearing health.

HB1974 changes that. Led by the SHPDA, the planning process will bring together healthcare providers, educators, government agencies, community organizations and individuals with lived experience to identify priorities and recommend solutions. A draft plan will in turn guide those recommendations into meaningful action, such as:

• Improved screening and early detection across the lifespan
• Stronger referral pathways between primary care providers and hearing specialists
• Better care coordination and navigation support for individuals and families
• Expanded tele-audiology and remote service options
• Strategies to address hearing aid affordability and insurance barriers
• Workforce development to address shortages of hearing health professionals
• Community outreach and education programs that increase awareness and reduce stigma
• Improved access for rural and neighbor island residents
• Pilot programs or demonstrations that can be scaled statewide

How did HLAA members support HB1974?

People in the Hawaii hearing loss community began conversations with key legislators about the need for a statewide hearing health strategy. The Hawaii Kupuna Caucus, a bipartisan group of legislators focused on issues affecting older adults, selected HB1974 as one of its priority bills for the legislative session, which helped elevate awareness and support for the issue.

Riding on the momentum, the community united around its common goal to move the bill forward. Members of the HLAA HOPE support group, together with audiologists, ENT physicians, speech and hearing professionals, caregivers and numerous community organizations, submitted testimony and advocated throughout the House and Senate process.

Mahalo (thank you) to everyone who testified, shared their stories and helped make this historic achievement possible.

What’s the next step?

With this legislation, Hawaii joins five other states that already have similar statewide planning efforts—including Nevada, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Vermont and New York—which served as models for HB 1974.

One of the most important aspects of this effort is that it puts people with lived experience at the center of the conversation—individuals and families who navigate hearing loss every day. Their experiences will help shape the recommendations and priorities moving forward, along with community stakeholders—including healthcare providers, educators, government agencies and local organizations.

The planning process is now underway, with a draft plan expected by the end of 2026. From there, the focus will shift to implementing action that address the identified needs and goals. This is only the beginning and we’re excited for what’s ahead!

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