Why It Matters
Sonova USA Inc. filed its quarterly lobbying disclosure filing on July 13, reporting $120,000 in second-quarter expenditures. The company did not disclose specific issues it lobbied on in the filing, leaving the focus of its advocacy efforts unclear.
The hearing aid manufacturer has maintained consistent lobbying spending in recent quarters, with activity focused in previous filings on hearing aid regulation, Medicare coverage, and access to hearing health services.
Sonova Maintains Lobbying Spending Levels
The company reported $120,000 in both the first quarter of 2026 and the fourth quarter of 2025. This follows earlier fluctuations in spending, including $90,000 in the second quarter of 2025 and $140,000 in the third quarter of 2025.
Sean Callinicos, Sonova's Head of Government Affairs, continues to serve as the company's primary in-house lobbyist. The company previously worked with outside firms including Crowell & Moring LLP and American Capitol Group LLC.
In previous quarters, Sonova's lobbying activity has centered on hearing aid regulation, including over-the-counter hearing aid devices, Medicare coverage for hearing health services, access to cochlear implants, and veteran hearing health benefits. The company has also lobbied on supply chain policy and potential changes to the Buy American Act.
Hearing Aid Access Policy
A 2025 MarkeTrak survey found that prescription hearing aids would not be affordable for most American adults, highlighting ongoing concerns over affordability and access within the hearing health sector.
Legislation such as H.R. 500, the Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2025, would remove Medicare's longstanding exclusion of hearing aid coverage. Sonova's latest filing does not indicate whether the company lobbied on the legislation.
By the Numbers: Lobbying Disclosure Filing Breakdown
Sonova's lobbying expenditures have remained relatively stable, ranging from $90,000 to $140,000 per quarter over the past year. The company's $120,000 second-quarter 2026 filing matches its spending from the previous quarter and the fourth quarter of 2025.
Sonova terminated its relationship with Crowell & Moring LLP in the second quarter of 2025, when Scott Douglas and Tim Shadyac served as the firm's registered lobbyists. The company subsequently engaged American Capitol Group LLC, with Dave Larson registered as the external lobbyist through at least the first quarter of 2026.
American Capitol Group's filings show separate lobbying activity, including a $10,000 third-quarter 2025 amendment and $30,000 filings for both the fourth quarter of 2025 and first quarter of 2026. Sonova's primary quarterly filings accounted for the remaining lobbying expenditures.
The Bottom Line
Sonova's quarterly lobbying disclosure filing shows the company maintaining steady engagement on hearing-related policy matters, though the specific focus of its second quarter 2026 advocacy remains undisclosed. With consistent spending and stable leadership through Callinicos, the company appears to be sustaining rather than escalating its congressional lobbying efforts as industry-wide debates continue over hearing aid coverage and accessibility.
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