[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 303 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 303

 Expressing support for the designation of October 2017 as ``National 
                      Audiology Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 25, 2017

 Ms. Warren (for herself, Mr. Grassley, and Ms. Hassan) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, 
                     Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for the designation of October 2017 as ``National 
                      Audiology Awareness Month''.

Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hearing 
        loss is the third most common chronic physical condition in the United 
        States;
Whereas the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and 
        the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that 24 
        percent of adults in the United States, or 40,000,000 individuals, may 
        have noise-induced hearing loss in 1 or both ears;
Whereas, although the prevalence of hearing loss increases with age, 
        approximately 40 percent of individuals with hearing loss are under the 
        age of 60;
Whereas people with hearing difficulty frequently delay seeking assessment and 
        treatment for their hearing loss;
Whereas audiologists, whose academic and clinical training provides the 
        foundation for patient management from birth through adulthood, are 
        dedicated health care professionals who diagnose, treat, and manage 
        hearing loss and balance disorders;
Whereas audiologists treat patients in many different settings, including 
        private practice, hospitals, schools, Veterans Health Administration 
        hospitals, and otolaryngology offices;
Whereas October 2017 would be an appropriate month to designate as ``National 
        Audiology Awareness Month''; and
Whereas there is a need for greater awareness on the part of the public 
        regarding issues related to the hearing and balance care provided by 
        audiologists, including--

    (1) the diagnosis and treatment options available to the public;

    (2) the research needs of audiologists; and

    (3) the public policy implications of changes in the field of 
audiology: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the designation of October 2017 as ``National 
        Audiology Awareness Month''; and
            (2) applauds the actions of audiologists, including 
        clinicians, researchers, and others who strive to raise public 
        awareness of hearing and balance care by advancing the 
        profession of audiology.
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