Senate Resolution No. 1529

BY: Senator PERSAUD

RECOGNIZING March 3, 2024, as World Hearing Day

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
recognize March 3, 2024, as World Hearing Day; and

WHEREAS, World Hearing Day, founded by the World Health
Organization, is observed annually on March 3rd to raise awareness on
how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing
care across the world; and

WHEREAS, The sense of hearing plays a critical role in communication
and personal relationships, overall health outcomes, psychological well-
being and safety; and

WHEREAS, Hearing loss has been tied to impaired communication,
learning and academic delays, economic loss, falls, depression,
isolation, and cognitive decline; hearing loss can also be a symptom of
an underlying treatable medical condition, including infections, tumors,
otosclerosis, ototoxicity, and Meniere's disease; and

WHEREAS, Noise-induced hearing loss is a preventable and
significant, yet often unrecognized, health problem among New Yorkers,
and is a growing concern with adolescents; and

WHEREAS, A hearing healthcare team may include otolaryngologists,
audiologists, and hearing aid specialists; 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, A comprehensive hearing evaluation includes the thorough
assessment, rehabilitation through use of hearing aids and other
devices, and counseling by educated and trained professionals; and

WHEREAS, Every citizen of New York State deserves access to a
high-quality hearing aid that is covered by insurance; 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, including
patient access to early detection and intervention by healthcare
professionals in the process of identification, treatment, and
rehabilitation of hearing loss; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize March 3, 2024, as World Hearing Day; and be it further


RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the World Health Organization.