Georgia CommonsSR 815: Georgia Hearing Day; recognize February 23, 2026
Last action February 19, 2026 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution recognizes February 23, 2026, as Georgia Hearing Day at the state capitol, honoring efforts to raise awareness about hearing loss prevention and care.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally recognizes February 23, 2026, as Georgia Hearing Day, an observance started by the Georgia Society of Hearing Professionals to raise awareness about preventing deafness and hearing loss and to promote ear and hearing care. The resolution cites statistics on hearing loss, including its links to cognitive decline, dementia, falls, depression, and isolation, and its economic impact on households and the national economy. It encourages Georgians to protect their hearing and to see licensed hearing health care professionals, such as hearing aid specialists, audiologists, or otolaryngologists, for regular checkups. The Secretary of the Senate is directed to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
What the bill does
- Formally designates February 23, 2026, as Georgia Hearing Day at the state capitol.
- Encourages Georgia citizens to protect their hearing and get regular checkups from licensed hearing professionals.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
- Creates no new legal requirements, funding, or penalties; it is a symbolic recognition rather than a change to Georgia law.
Who it affects
The resolution mainly affects the Georgia Society of Hearing Professionals and its members, including hearing aid specialists and audiologists, whose awareness campaign it recognizes. It also speaks broadly to Georgia residents, particularly those with or at risk of hearing loss.
Why it matters
While the resolution carries no legal force, it gives an official platform to public awareness efforts about hearing loss, a condition linked to cognitive decline and reduced income, and may encourage more Georgians to seek hearing checkups from licensed professionals.
Key provisions
- Recognizes February 23, 2026, as Georgia Hearing Day at the state capitol.
- Encourages citizens to seek regular hearing checks from a hearing aid specialist, audiologist, or otolaryngologist.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies of the resolution available to the public and press.
From the bill
“hearing loss has been tied to cognitive decline, dementia, falls, depression, and isolation”
“more than 37 million American adults (15 percent) report some trouble hearing, and approximately 28.2 million American adults could benefit from using hearing aids”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
- Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
- Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
- Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
- Donzella James (D, SD-028)
- Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
- Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
- Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
- Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
- Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
- Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
- David Lucas (D, SD-026)
- Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
- Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
- Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
- RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
Topics
- hearing loss awareness
- public health
- Georgia Senate resolution
- hearing health care