Declare Better Hearing Month

Senate Resolution No. 2612 BY: Senator PARKER MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2020, as Better Hearing Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official months that are set aside to increase awareness of health issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2020, as Better Hearing Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Better Hearing Month; and WHEREAS, Each May, the American Academy of Audiology Foundation wants every citizen to celebrate the sounds of life; this vital foundation is also dedicated to advancing the profession of audiology through increased public awareness; and WHEREAS, Audiology is a highly recognized profession and has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the Best Careers in 2006,

2007, 2008, and 2009; and WHEREAS, Audiologists are the primary health-care professionals who evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss and balance disorders in adults and children; and WHEREAS, Audiologists treat all ages and types of hearing loss, the elderly, adults, teens, children, and infants; these specialists evaluate and diagnose hearing loss and vestibular (balance) disorders; prescribe, fit, and dispense hearing aids and other amplification and hearing assistance technologies; are members of cochlear implant teams; perform ear- or hearing-related surgical monitoring; design and implement hearing conservation programs; design and implement newborn hearing screening programs; provide hearing rehabilitation training such as auditory training and listening skills improvement; assess and treat individuals, especially children, with central auditory processing disorders; and assess and treat individuals with tinnitus (noise in the ear, such as ringing); and WHEREAS, Almost all types of hearing loss are treatable by an audiologist; most hearing loss that is caused by nerve damage can be treated with hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and hearing rehabilitation; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this issue and more must be done to improve hearing health for all New Yorkers and those affected by such hearing health issues; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2020, as Better Hearing Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.