Senate Passes Continuing Resolution: What It Means for Hearing Health

The Senate recently passed a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal government funded through December 11, 2026, giving Congress additional time to complete the fiscal year (FY) 2027 appropriations process. The House previously passed a CR funding the government through December 4. The two chambers must now agree on a final measure before the current fiscal year ends on September 30.

For hearing health, both CRs largely maintain FY 2026 funding levels while Congress continues negotiations. This means National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) remains funded at approximately $534.3 million and HRSA’s Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program at $18.18 million during the CR period.

Neither CR includes the funding increases requested by the American Academy of Audiology—$20 million for NIDCD and $5 million for EHDI. The House FY 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations bill also maintains flat funding for both programs, while the Senate has not yet completed its LHHS appropriations bill.

The Academy will continue advocating for increased investments in hearing and balance research and expanded resources for early hearing detection and intervention. Members will be updated as the appropriations process moves forward.