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PRINTER'S NO. 4532
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
1067
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY MALAGARI, HENNESSEY, MURT, BURNS, KINSEY, BROWN,
WILLIAMS, GALLOWAY, FREEMAN, SCHLOSSBERG, HILL-EVANS,
YOUNGBLOOD, LONGIETTI, MILLARD, SCHLEGEL CULVER, BROOKS,
WEBSTER, McCLINTON, READSHAW AND SCHMITT, OCTOBER 19, 2020
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
OCTOBER 19, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of October 2020 as "National Protect Your
Hearing Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Our sense of hearing can be taken for granted as we
enjoy new experiences, such as concerts and sporting events,
listen to our favorite music through our headphones or expose
ourselves to occupational hazards in the workplace; and
WHEREAS, Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a condition
that affects all ages and can lead to permanent impairment for
those who do not take proactive action in safeguarding their
sense of hearing; and
WHEREAS, The National Institute on Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders (NIDCD) suggests that up to 24% of
American adults under 70 years of age may have hearing loss due
to noise exposure in one or both ears; and
WHEREAS, Other studies have suggested that between 13% and
18% of American teenagers have signs of possible hearing loss
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from noise; and
WHEREAS, It is reported that just 15 minutes at a loud
sporting event or concert can cause permanent hearing damage;
and
WHEREAS, NIHL can also develop over the course of time as one
is exposed to the noise produced from heavy machinery, such as
factory or farming equipment; and
WHEREAS, NIHL is caused by the damage to the tiny bundles of
hair-like structures within the ear which are responsible for
responding to sound waves; and
WHEREAS, When these structures are damaged, the result is
irreversible and cannot be fixed or replaced, leading to
permanent impairment; and
WHEREAS, One of the most common results of excessive noise
exposure is tinnitus, a buzzing, ringing or roaring in the head
or ears; and
WHEREAS, While tinnitus can subside over time once the
individual is removed from the source of the noise, others
report permanent tinnitus that can appear in one or both ears,
indicating the potential incidence of NIHL; and
WHEREAS, More than 50 million Americans experience tinnitus
at some time point in their lives, with about 20 million
reporting chronic tinnitus; and
WHEREAS, Tinnitus can be a debilitating condition that leaves
individuals feeling isolated and hopeless in finding relief from
the seemingly constant distraction in one's mind; and
WHEREAS, With access to proper noise and sound therapies,
coupled with cognitive behavioral therapy, relief can be
achieved for individuals looking to reclaim their quality of
life; and
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WHEREAS, There are preventive and protective methods that can
be implemented to preserve one's hearing, even in the presence
of risky or dangerous environments; and
WHEREAS, NIDCD encourages people to lower the volume of their
music, especially while wearing headphones or earbuds, as sounds
above 85 decibels are reported to pose the most risk; and
WHEREAS, People can also increase the amount of space between
them and the noise to provide a physical buffer and wear
earplugs or earmuffs while doing yard or construction work or
attending loud events; and
WHEREAS, Children's ears are especially vulnerable to loud
noises and should be protected with noise-blocking headphones or
the child should be removed from potentially dangerous
environments; and
WHEREAS, For those who are vulnerable to NIHL due to the
nature of their occupation, the hearing conservation program
developed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
requires that all employees who are exposed to an eight-hour
time-weighted average of 85 decibels or greater are provided
hearing protection by their employer at no cost; and
WHEREAS, Protecting one's ability to hear is a critical
measure in maintaining one's independence, quality-of-life and
overall health and safety; and
WHEREAS, The month of October 2020 has been designated as
"National Protect Your Hearing Month"; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of October 2020 as "National Protect Your Hearing Month"
in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
need to raise the awareness of methods and tools available to
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residents of this Commonwealth to preserve their sense of
hearing.
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