Declare Save Your Hearing Day

May 31, 2026, as Save Your Hearing Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 31, 2026, as Save Your Hearing Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Save Your Hearing Day; and WHEREAS, National Save Your Hearing Day is observed annually on May

31, the culmination of Better Hearing and Speech Month, and raises awareness about hearing loss and the importance of preserving our hearing; and WHEREAS, Records of hearing loss have been around since ancient times; an Egyptian mummy showed evidence of having a perforated eardrum, which signals hearing loss; and WHEREAS, Sign language began to be used early on, as evidenced by the writings of the Athenian philosopher Plato; the earliest mention of a hearing device comes from the writings of an Italian scholar who described an instrument which could amplify sounds; and WHEREAS, In later years, education on hearing protection was spurred on by military needs; both World Wars saw the development of multiple new inventions in hearing aid, from earplugs and ear flaps to protect hearing, to earmuffs; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, as with most inventions, these earmuffs also underwent a series of transformations to become the fluffy ear protectors they are today; and WHEREAS, Today, National Save Your Hearing Day normalizes hearing problems, protects ear health and raises awareness about care; and WHEREAS, Hearing loss can be prevented or, at the very least, treated; learning more about our hearing teaches us how easy it is to abuse our ears and how quickly we can ruin our hearing capacity; it also makes us more sympathetic towards those with hearing loss; and WHEREAS, The simple and small tweaks to our lifestyle provided on National Save Your Hearing Day can drastically improve hearing health; and WHEREAS, National Save Your Hearing Day, and the subsequent events around it, bring attention to an often neglected and abused part of our well-being, our hearing; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this health issue and more must be done to improve hearing health for all New Yorkers and those affected by hearing loss; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 31, 2026, as Save Your Hearing Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.