K 219: Recognizing March 3, 2025, as World Hearing Day

 Assembly Resolution No. 219 BY: M. of A. Solages RECOGNIZING March 3, 2025, as World Hearing Day WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days 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 recognize March 3, 2025, as World Hearing Day; and WHEREAS, World Hearing Day, founded by the World Health Organization, is observed annually on March 3rd to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world; and WHEREAS, The sense of hearing plays a critical role in communication and personal relationships, overall health outcomes, psychological well- being and safety; and WHEREAS, Hearing loss has been tied to impaired communication, learning and academic delays, economic loss, falls, depression, isolation, and cognitive decline; hearing loss can also be a symptom of an underlying treatable medical condition, including infections, tumors, otosclerosis, ototoxicity, and Meniere's disease; and WHEREAS, Noise-induced hearing loss is a preventable and significant, yet often unrecognized, health problem among New Yorkers, and is a growing concern with adolescents; and WHEREAS, A hearing healthcare team may include otolaryngologists, audiologists, and hearing aid specialists; and WHEREAS, Almost all types of hearing loss are treatable by an audiologist; most hearing loss that is caused by nerve damage can be treated with hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and hearing rehabilitation; and WHEREAS, A comprehensive hearing evaluation includes the thorough assessment, rehabilitation through use of hearing aids and other devices, and counseling by educated and trained professionals; and WHEREAS, Every citizen of New York State deserves access to a high-quality hearing aid that is covered by insurance; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this issue and more must be done to improve hearing health for all New Yorkers and those affected by such hearing health issues, including patient access to early detection and intervention by healthcare professionals in the process of identification, treatment, and rehabilitation of hearing loss; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to recognize March 3, 2025, as World Hearing Day; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the World Health Organization.