Assembly Resolution No. 470

BY: M. of A. Solages

memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 4-10, 2023, as Late Onset Hearing Loss Awareness
Week in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official weeks 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 4-10, 2023, as Late
Onset Hearing Loss Awareness Week in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Late Onset Hearing Loss
Awareness Week; and

WHEREAS, Late onset hearing loss, defined as hearing loss occurring
after birth and before Kindergarten, often goes undiagnosed and
untreated in childhood due to lack of awareness and infrequency of early
childhood hearing screenings; and

WHEREAS, Late onset hearing loss may develop in infants, toddlers,
and young children who have already passed a newborn hearing screening
test; a hearing screening at birth may fail to detect mild hearing loss
or the onset of hearing loss may not occur until after infancy; and

WHEREAS, The factors causing late onset hearing loss are varied and
include genetic causes, childhood syndromes, congenital illness,
infections, exposure to ototoxic medications, head trauma, and exposure
to excessive noise; however, the cause of late onset hearing loss is not
always known; and

WHEREAS, Hearing plays a vital role in childhood development, and
undetected late onset hearing loss could lead to developmental delays,
speech and language difficulties, and social and emotional distress that
can only be addressed once hearing loss is diagnosed; and

WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated decrease in
in-person education, medical treatment, and other social interactions
have increased the likelihood that late onset hearing loss will go
undetected for longer in many children; and

WHEREAS, It is important to quickly diagnose late onset hearing loss
so that appropriate developmental management can be provided, hearing
loss progression can be monitored, and amplification and communication
options can be reviewed by a child's family, caretakers, and
professionals who support the child; and

WHEREAS, Awareness of late onset hearing loss will help parents,
families, guardians, teachers, child-care providers, and pediatricians
to discuss and assess a child's developmental milestones, regularly
monitor hearing health and seek hearing evaluations, and learn about
resources, treatment, and intervention services to address the needs and

improve the lives of children with late onset hearing loss; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 4-10, 2023, as Late
Onset Hearing Loss Awareness Week in the State of New York; and

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.