Bill Text: NJ AJR137 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates May of each year as "Better Hearing Month."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-12 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee [AJR137 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-AJR137-Introduced.html
No. 137
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 12, 2024
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CAROL A. MURPHY
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
Designates May of each year as "Better Hearing Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating May of each year as "Better Hearing Month."
Whereas, Hearing is critical to language, speech, and cognitive development and hearing loss can affect every area of a person's life, including physical health, mental health, career success, social life, personal relationships, and overall quality of life; and
Whereas, An estimated 48 million Americans have a significant hearing loss, as do an estimated 850,000 New Jersey residents; and
Whereas, Hearing loss occurs in five out of every 1,000 newborns and almost 15 percent of children ages 6-19 have low- or high-frequency hearing loss in one or both ears; and
Whereas, Approximately 14 percent of Americans ages 45-64 have some type of hearing loss and nearly half of Americans over age 65 have clinically significant hearing loss that threatens their health and well-being; and
Whereas, Audiologists are healthcare professionals who provide patient-centered care in the prevention, identification, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of hearing, balance, and other auditory disorders for people of all ages; and
Whereas, Audiologists, through their professional and personalized treatment services, help their patients lead independent, productive, and fulfilling lives; and
Whereas, Hearing aids are common treatment devices used by audiologists and can offer dramatic improvement for most people with hearing loss, yet people with hearing loss wait an average of seven years before seeking help and 15 million people in the United States with hearing loss avoid seeking help; and
Whereas, Since 1927, audiologists all across New Jersey, observe and celebrate "Better Hearing Month" May of each year to raise awareness, promote understanding of hearing health, encourage New Jersey residents to undergo hearing loss screenings, promote hearing loss prevention, and motivate people to seek treatment for hearing related issues; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper that the Legislature designate the month of May as "Better Hearing Month" in order to provide an opportunity to raise awareness and public knowledge regarding hearing related issues and to recognize the achievements of the hundreds of audiologists working across New Jersey when it comes to improving the quality of life for people dealing with hearing loss; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. May of each year is designated as "Better Hearing Month" in the State of New Jersey to help increase awareness and public knowledge of the problems affecting persons dealing with hearing loss.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of New Jersey to observe "Better Hearing Month" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates May of each year as "Better Hearing Month" in New Jersey to help increase awareness and public knowledge of the problems affecting persons dealing with hearing loss.
Hearing loss can affect every area of a person's life, including physical health, mental health, career success, social life, personal relationships, and overall quality of life. An estimated 48 million Americans have a significant hearing loss, as do an estimated 850,000 New Jersey residents.
Those affected by hearing loss seek treatment from audiologists who are healthcare professionals who provide patient-centered care in the prevention, identification, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of hearing, balance, and other auditory disorders for people of all ages. Audiologists commonly recommend that their patients use hearing aids because hearing aids can provide dramatic improvement for most people with hearing loss, yet people with hearing loss wait an average of 7 years before seeking help and 15 million people in the United States with hearing loss avoid seeking help.
Since 1927, audiologists all across New Jersey, observe and celebrate "Better Hearing Month" May of each year to raise awareness and promote understanding of hearing health and encourage New Jersey residents to undergo hearing loss screenings, promote hearing loss prevention, and motivate people to seek treatment for hearing related issues.
