SR815: SR815 Georgia Hearing Day; recognize February 23, 2026

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It recognizes February 23, 2026 as Georgia Hearing Day at the state capitol, an observance founded by the Georgia Society of Hearing Professionals to raise awareness about preventing deafness and hearing loss. The resolution cites statistics on hearing loss, including its links to cognitive decline, dementia, falls, depression, and isolation, and its financial toll on affected households and the national economy. It encourages Georgians to protect their hearing and to see licensed hearing health care professionals, such as audiologists, hearing aid specialists, or otolaryngologists, for regular checkups. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• Formally designates February 23, 2026 as Georgia Hearing Day at the state capitol.
• Encourages Georgia residents to protect their hearing and get regular checkups from licensed hearing health care professionals.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
• Does not create any new law, funding, program, or penalty; it is a symbolic statement by the Senate.

The resolution touches Georgians broadly, especially those with or at risk of hearing loss, and it recognizes hearing health care professionals such as audiologists, hearing aid specialists, and otolaryngologists, and organizations like the Georgia Society of Hearing Professionals.

While the resolution changes no law, it gives an official platform at the state capitol to raise public awareness about hearing loss, its health effects, and the value of regular hearing checkups, potentially encouraging more Georgians to seek care.

• The resolving clause recognizes February 23, 2026 as Georgia Hearing Day at the state capitol.
• The resolution encourages citizens to seek services from a licensed hearing health care professional, such as a hearing aid specialist, audiologist, or otolaryngologist.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available for distribution to the public and press.

1. 2026-02-19Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-02-18Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)Primary sponsor
• 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)

• hearing health
• public health awareness
• ceremonial resolution
• state capitol observances