[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 72 (Thursday, May 20, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6044-S6045]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SUPPORTING MAY 2004 AS NATIONAL BETTER HEARING AND SPEECH MONTH

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 366, submitted 
earlier today by Senator Coleman.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will state the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 366) supporting May 2004 as National 
     Better Hearing and Speech Month, and commending those States 
     that have implemented routine hearing screenings for every 
     newborn before the newborn leaves the hospital.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, every day, more than 1.2 million children 
will struggle to hear their teacher's voice. Every day, more than 26 
million adults will miss important pieces of conversations. Every day, 
more than 10 million older Americans will consider early retirement in 
the face of hearing loss.
  Mr. President, hearing is not an accessory, but a necessity--a 
necessity to success in school, business, and life.
  In recognition of the importance of hearing, I have introduced this 
resolution.
  This resolution recognizes May as ``National Better Hearing and 
Speech Month,'' and transforms its ideals into action by encouraging 
all Americans to have their hearing checked regularly and to seek 
treatment for hearing loss.
  Despite the necessity of hearing to success, one third of all 
newborns leave the hospital without having their hearing tested. As a 
result, thirty-three babies are born each day with hearing loss, making 
deafness the most common birth defect in America.
  Mr. President, it doesn't have to be like this. Study after study has 
shown that through regular testing and early treatment, hearing loss 
can be prevented not only in infants, but in adults as well.
  This resolution can take the first step in preventing hearing loss. 
Early prevention and treatment is the key to preventing future hearing 
loss, but we must also care for the 28 million Americans currently 
suffering from deafness.
  Today, 95 percent of individuals with hearing loss can be 
successfully treated with hearing aids. However, only 22 percent of 
deaf Americans can afford to use this remarkable technology. In other 
words, over 21 million Americans will be denied the sensation of sound 
because they cannot afford a remedy. For this reason, I introduced the 
Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act or S. 2055.
  S. 2055 provides financial assistance for those who need it most, our 
elderly and young. Under this legislation, minors and seniors can take 
a tax credit of up to $500, once every 5 years, toward the purchase of 
any hearing device that is considered a ``qualified hearing aid'' under 
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
  Hearing aids are not just portals to sound, but portals to success--
success in school, business, and life. With your support 1.2 million 
children will hear their teacher's voice for the first time as they 
learn to read and write. With your support, ten million older Americans 
will be able to hear their grandchildren's voices and continue working 
despite age-related hearing loss. With your support, we can give 
millions the gift of sound.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, and that statements relating to the measure be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 366) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 366

       Whereas the National Institute on Deafness and Other 
     Communication Disorders reports that approximately 28,000,000 
     people in the United States experience hearing loss or have a 
     hearing impairment;
       Whereas 1 out of every 3 people in the United States over 
     the age of 65 have hearing loss;
       Whereas the overwhelming majority of people in the United 
     States with hearing loss would benefit from the use of a 
     hearing aid and fewer than 7,000,000 people in the United 
     States use a hearing aid;

[[Page S6045]]

       Whereas 30 percent of people in the United States suffering 
     from hearing loss cite financial constraints as an impediment 
     to hearing aid use;
       Whereas hearing loss is among the most common congenital 
     birth defects;
       Whereas a delay in diagnosing the hearing loss of a newborn 
     can affect the social, emotional, and academic development of 
     the child;
       Whereas the average age at which newborns with hearing loss 
     are diagnosed is between the ages of 12 to 25 months;
       Whereas May 2004 is National Better Hearing and Speech 
     Month, providing Federal, State, and local governments, 
     members of the private and nonprofit sectors, hearing and 
     speech professionals, and all people in the United States an 
     opportunity to focus on preventing, mitigating, and treating 
     hearing impairments: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of May 2004 as National 
     Better Hearing and Speech Month;
       (2) commends those States that have implemented routine 
     hearing screenings for every newborn before the newborn 
     leaves the hospital; and
       (3) encourages all people in the United States to have 
     their hearing checked regularly.

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