SR104: SR104 Georgia Hearing Day; recognize February 10, 2025

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. Instead, it formally recognizes February 10, 2025, as Georgia Hearing Day at the state capitol. The resolution cites statistics on hearing loss, including its links to cognitive decline, dementia, falls, depression, and isolation, and its financial impact on households and the national economy. The resolution notes the work of the Georgia Society of Hearing Professionals, a chapter of the International Hearing Society, in founding Georgia Hearing Day to raise awareness about preventing hearing loss and promoting hearing care. The Senate encourages Georgians to protect their hearing and get regular checkups from a hearing aid specialist, audiologist, or otolaryngologist. The Secretary of the Senate is directed to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• Formally designates February 10, 2025, as Georgia Hearing Day at the state capitol.
• Encourages Georgia residents to protect their hearing and seek regular checkups from licensed hearing health professionals.
• Cites statistics from the Better Hearing Institute and the National Institutes of Deafness and Other Communications Disorders on the prevalence and cost of hearing loss.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
• Creates no new legal requirements, funding, or penalties, since it is a ceremonial resolution rather than a law.

The resolution mainly addresses Georgia residents generally, particularly those with hearing loss or at risk of it, and highlights the role of the Georgia Society of Hearing Professionals, including audiologists, hearing aid specialists, and otolaryngologists.

While the resolution carries no legal force or funding, it publicly spotlights hearing loss as a health issue tied to cognitive decline, income loss, and isolation, and encourages Georgians to seek hearing checkups from licensed professionals.

• The resolution recites background information on hearing loss, including its links to dementia, falls, depression, and isolation.
• It cites a Better Hearing Institute study estimating untreated hearing loss reduces household income by up to $12,000 annually and costs $122 billion in lost earnings nationally.
• It references NIDCD data that over 37 million American adults report hearing trouble and that most who could benefit from hearing aids do not use them.
• The resolution formally designates February 10, 2025, as Georgia Hearing Day at the state capitol and encourages residents to get regular hearing checks.
• It directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available for distribution to the public and press.

1. 2025-02-04Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-02-03Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)Primary sponsor
• John Kennedy (R, SD-018)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• David Lucas (D, SD-026)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)

• hearing loss
• public health awareness
• state capitol resolutions
• audiology
• health care professionals