Advocacy
Dr. Melissa Heche & Advocacy in Washington DC
Dr. Melissa Heche is firmly committed to advocacy, bringing her efforts to Washington, D.C. with organizations such as the American Academy of Audiology and NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants). Engaging in the political process and championing causes within the hearing and music industries is a proud part of her professional work. Her advocacy focuses on expanding access to hearing healthcare, promoting music education, and supporting early hearing protection for musicians. Being in Washington strengthens her dedication to standing strong for others’ rights and well-being, reminding her of the power of resilience and collective action.
Dr. Melissa Heche is the chairperson of the PAC Advisory Board for the American Academy of Audiology.
Currently she participates in advocacy events on the Hill that support:
- Full allocation of monies allotted for music education under federal Title IV funding
- Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act (MAAIA), which will re-classify Audiologists as “practitioners” under Medicare and allow for direct access by Medicare patients to Audiologists.
- Medicare reform, including extension of Telehealth rules and hearing instrument benefits
