by By Gilberto K. Garcia, May 8, 2025
Legislation aimed at reducing redundant testing for school bus drivers is now moving to the Pennsylvania Senate for approval. The proposed change, House Bill 240, has already passed the state House with unanimous support.
Currently, school bus drivers who wear hearing aids must undergo two separate hearing tests. One test evaluates their hearing ability while using the hearing aid, and the other checks the functionality of the hearing aid through an electroacoustic analysis.
House Bill 240 seeks to eliminate the second test, which checks the hearing aid’s performance. Proponents argue that if the driver passes the initial hearing test, the second one is unnecessary. “The driver’s hearing aid obviously works if they pass the original exam,” said state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin). He also pointed out that hearing aid technology is advancing rapidly, and not all audiologists have the required equipment for the second test.
The bill is now on its way to the Senate, where it will undergo further review.
