WASHINGTON D.C. —Today, U.S. Representatives David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-W.Va.) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduced legislation recognizing World Hearing Day as March 3. Rep. McKinley and Thompson are co-chairs of the Hearing Health Caucus.
“Today we recognize World Hearing Day. According to the World Health Organization, there are approximately 466 million people around the world who have disabling hearing loss,” said McKinley. “As someone who is hearing impaired, I understand how crucial it is to recognize and acknowledge the needs of the hearing impaired community. I will continue to champion these issues and look forward to helping others achieve an improved quality of life for those who are suffering from hearing loss.
“Millions across our nation suffer from hearing loss, but hearing health is often overlooked as a critical part of the wholistic health of each and every individual across our nation. That’s why I am proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution to designate today, March 3 as World Hearing Day,” said Thompson. “This recognizes the importance of hearing health and gives us a chance to raise awareness so we can better provide treatment and services for those with hearing loss.”
This legislation has received praise from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association:
“We applaud Representatives Thompson and McKinley for introducing today’s resolution supporting March 3rd as World Hearing Day,” said A. Lynn Williams, PhD, CCC-SLP, 2021 President of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). “As we observe this important global focus on hearing health, their leadership and this resolution helps brighten the spotlight on critical needs like the expansion of public access to hearing health services.”
Background:
- The World Health Organization (WHO) designated March 3 as World Hearing Day.
- Approximately 466 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss.
- Approximately 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss.
- The WHO estimates that by 2050, over 900 million people will have disabling hearing loss.
Original source can be found here.
