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WHEREAS, in 1927, the month of May was designated Better Hearing and Speech Month in order to raise awareness about the causes and treatments of hearing loss and speech impediments; and,
WHEREAS, approximately 34 million Americans have some form of hearing loss, which makes it the third most common health problem in the United States and each year, about 12,000 children are born in the United States with sensorineural hearing loss, which can result in mild to profound loss of hearing; and,
WHEREAS, children with listening difficulties due to hearing loss or auditory processing problems can be limited academically, have communication difficulties and limited vocational opportunities, which often leads to social isolation and poor self-esteem; and,
WHEREAS, the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation Hearing Center Auxiliary is focused on helping children with hearing loss overcome obstacles in order to reach their full potential; and,
WHEREAS, “Cheers for Ears” is an annual public awareness and fundraising program proudly sponsored by the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation Hearing Center Auxiliary held during the month of May where schools across the region participate by allowing students to make a donation in order to break the dress code throughout a week they designate; and,
WHEREAS, technological advances in cochlear implants and hearing aids enable people to hear better than ever before and our citizens who have overcome communication disabilities through the services of speech language pathologists, teachers of the hearing impaired, audiologists, and physicians are now able to lead independent, productive and fulfilling lives; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize and value the efforts of all who work to temper the isolating effects of communication disorders in the one in five families affected by them; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby proclaim Tuesday, May 22, 2018 as “Cheers for Ears Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.