Facts
W., born in 1950, is hearing impaired and has been receiving hearing aids from the Disability Insurance (IV) since 1992. In addition to her household activities, she is involved as a volunteer board member and president in various associations and institutions. On April 3, 2001, the IV last awarded her two new hearing aids. In a submission dated April 5, 2001, the treating physician requested the IV office of the Canton of Aargau to contribute to the costs of a loop amplifier and a table microphone, as the insured person is professionally active, among other things as the chairperson of the association commission X., in meetings and in a highly variable acoustic environment. The IV office rejected this claim for benefits, which was confirmed by the Insurance Court of the Canton of Aargau. The insured person then filed an administrative court appeal with the aim of obliging the Disability Insurance to provide the requested assistive device.
Considerations
The Federal Court first found that the requested devices are not expressly listed in the categories of assistive devices in the HVI Annex, but can generally fall under item 13.01* of the HVI Annex as disability-related work and household devices as well as additional equipment for the exercise of an occupation or activity in the area of responsibility.
The Federal Court concluded that the insured person's voluntary activities in various self-help organizations can be recognized as activities in the area of responsibility within the meaning of Art. 21 para. 1 IVG. Although the law does not define the term "area of responsibility" conclusively, according to case law…