110 HCON 436 IH: Expressing support for designation of U.S. House of Representatives 2008-09-26 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. CON. RES. 436 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 26, 2008 Mr. Ross submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Expressing support for designation of October as National Protect Your Hearing Month.

Whereas the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates that approximately 17 percent (36,000,000) of adults in the United States report some degree of hearing loss; Whereas the NIDCD estimates that approximately 15 percent (26,000,000) of people in the United States between the ages of 20 and 69 have high frequency hearing loss due to exposure to loud sounds or noise at work or in leisure activities; Whereas young people and their families take part in activities every day that can contribute to increased exposure to harmful noise levels; Whereas potential sources include personal stereo systems and portable movie and game systems, sports recreation activities, such as hunting and snowmobiling, athletic events, concerts, yard work, such as mowing the lawn, and hobbies, such as woodworking; Whereas over time, continued exposure to harmful noise levels can lead to permanent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL); Whereas noise-induced hearing loss can be prevented through simple measures to reduce exposure to loud sounds including turning down the volume, limiting the amount of time spent engaged in a loud activity, moving away from the source of sound, or wearing hearing protection when involved in a loud activity; Whereas Congress is an institution that can help raise awareness in the general public about the importance of protecting one’s hearing; and Whereas the month of October would be an appropriate month to designate as “National Protect Your Hearing Month”: Now, therefore, be it

That Congress— (1)supports the designation of “National Protect Your Hearing Month”; and (2)recognizes that all people in the United States should become more aware of the potential for noise-induced hearing loss in their daily activities and of the measures they can take to protect their hearing for a lifetime.