Reps. Warren, Ball, Lisa Brown, Terry Brown, Byrnes, Byrum, Caul, Constan, Denby, Geiss, Hansen, Hildenbrand, Robert Jones, Knollenberg, Kowall, LeBlanc, Liss, Lori, Mayes, Neumann, Pearce, Polidori, Proos, Roberts, Segal, Sheltrown, Slavens, Smith, Spade, Stanley, Switalski, Tyler and Valentine offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 283.  

            A resolution to declare May 2010 as Hearing Loss Awareness Month in the state of Michigan. 

            Whereas, One in every ten (36 million) non-institutionalized American adults has a hearing loss.  Over the last generation, the hearing loss population grew at the rate of 160 percent of US population growth; and

            Whereas, It is estimated that at least 12.5 million non-institutional adults ages 70 years or higher have self-reported hearing loss; and

            Whereas, Among seniors, hearing loss is the third most treatable disabling condition behind arthritis and hypertension; and

            Whereas, It is estimated that 1.4 million people in the state of Michigan have a hearing loss; and

            Whereas, Every day approximately 3 in 1,000 newborns are born profoundly deaf or with a partial hearing loss making hearing loss the number one birth defect in America; and

            Whereas, It is estimated that 14.9 percent of children ages 6 – 19 years (more than 7 million children) have at least a 16 decibel hearing loss in one or both ears.  In the case of children even a mild hearing loss can impact school performance; and

            Whereas, Twenty-eight million Americans with hearing loss are under the age of fifty and are active in the work force; and

            Whereas, Over 11 million people with hearing loss that could benefit from hearing aids do not use them.  Only 30 percent of hearing aid purchases are covered by third-party payment; and

            Whereas, It is important that people with hearing loss have the opportunity to participate fully in society, experience success in school, college and on the job, through equal access to communication; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare May 2010 as Hearing Loss Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.