Title: A resolution expressing support for the designation of October 2017 as "National Protect Your Hearing Month".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
Expresses support for the designation of October 2017 as National Protect Your Hearing Month. Recognizes that individuals in the United States should become aware of: (1) the potential for noise-induced hearing loss, and (2) the measures individuals can take to protect their hearing.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 309 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 309

 Expressing support for the designation of October 2017 as ``National 
                     Protect Your Hearing Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 26, 2017

   Ms. Warren (for herself and Ms. Collins) 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 
                     Protect Your Hearing Month''.

Whereas the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and 
        the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that up to 24 
        percent of adults in the United States, 40,000,000 individuals, may have 
        noise-induced hearing loss in 1 or both ears;
Whereas individuals take part in activities every day that can contribute to 
        increased exposure to harmful noise levels;
Whereas potential sources of noise-induced hearing loss include--

    (1) portable music;

    (2) movie and game systems;

    (3) sports recreation activities, such as auto racing, hunting, and 
snowmobiling;

    (4) athletic events;

    (5) concerts;

    (6) yard work, such as mowing the lawn; and

    (7) hobbies, such as woodworking;

Whereas workers in the fields of mining, manufacturing, and construction and 
        individuals serving in the military go to work each day in damaging 
        noise conditions and occupational hearing loss is among the most 
        commonly recorded work-related injuries;
Whereas living or working on a farm can also expose individuals to harmful 
        levels of noise, including from farm machinery, other equipment used on 
        farms, and animals;
Whereas musicians of all ages, both amateur and professional, can be regularly 
        exposed to levels of noise that can be harmful;
Whereas, over time, continued exposure to harmful noise levels can lead to 
        permanent noise-induced hearing loss;
Whereas hearing loss from harmful noise can negatively impact communication and 
        quality of life for an individual;
Whereas hearing loss from harmful noise is permanent and is not reversible, but 
        is preventable;
Whereas individuals can protect themselves against noise-induced hearing loss 
        through simple measures to reduce exposure to loud sounds, including 
        turning down the volume, moving away from the source of sound, and 
        wearing hearing protection when involved in a loud activity;
Whereas protecting the ears of children is an important measure to help prevent 
        noise-induced hearing loss because children may be more susceptible to 
        damage than adults and are too young to protect their own ears;
Whereas Congress can help raise awareness among the general public about the 
        importance of protecting hearing; and
Whereas October 2017 would be an appropriate month to designate as ``National 
        Protect Your Hearing Month'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the designation of October 2017 as ``National 
        Protect Your Hearing Month''; and
            (2) recognizes that all individuals in the United States 
        should become more aware of--
                    (A) the potential for noise-induced hearing loss as 
                a result of daily activities; and
                    (B) the measures that individuals can take to 
                protect hearing for a lifetime.
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