This is why gun groups are up in arms over a hearing aid bill

[TexasTowelie]

How does a hearing aid bill turn into a fight about gun rights?

By having Elizabeth Warren as a lead legislative author, apparently.

Warren has teamed up with several Republicans on legislation creating an over-the-counter category of hearing aids, which proponents believe would lower prices, spur innovation, and help millions of people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss obtain devices and improve their lives. As few as one in seven of the estimated 30 million Americans with hearing loss gets aids, experts say, and a big reason is their high cost.

The hearing aid industry is against the bill, but in recent weeks, opposition has emerged from less expected places: gun owners and a slew of conservative groups. The backlash appears to be rooted less in the substance of the legislation and more in the fact that it’s Warren — a senator increasingly targeted by Republican groups — who is behind it.

Read more: http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2017/05/28/elizabeth-warren-bill-hearing-aid-draws-opposition-from-gun-rights-conservative-groups/WMAAAo9Z8zAK7AzZnrRUII/story.html

[shraby]

1. It's about time for a bill like that. My aids cost $2,000 each and I needed one for

each ear.
Then I can't buy the part that inserts into the ear if one wears out unless I go back to the place where I bought the hearing aids.
No parts can be bought off the open market as far as I've seen.

It's a totally rigged system.

[dhill926]

2. my Mom has spent a ton on these high end hearing aids...

and they never seem to work right. If repubs are opposed to something this commonsensical just because of their hatred of Warren, well, need I say more. Assholes....

[NickB79]

3. Ironically, shooting guns is a major cause of hearing loss

A lot of RW gun owners would be helped by this bill.

[Phentex]

5. I thought that might be where this was going

It was my first thought when seeing this.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

6. It shouldn't be a major cause. There is good ear protection available.

Like seatbelts and condoms, you just have to use it.

[monmouth4]

4. They're petrified she will be another woman Presidential candidate, IMO..n/t