Better Hearing and Speech Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, approximately 15% of adults aged 18 and older report some trouble hearing, increasing to at least 33% of adults aged 65-74; and an estimated 17 million adults experience difficulty speaking; and,

WHEREAS, about 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from the use of hearing aids and/or assistive technology, but less than 30% of them have ever used hearing aids, and many people with difficulty speaking do not seek treatment; and,

WHEREAS, progressive hearing loss in young children can result in language deprivation which can have lasting negative impacts on their social, emotional, and academic development and success; and,

WHEREAS, hearing loss can be prevented through the use of noise canceling earphones or earplugs and reducing noise exposure, and can be detected through hearing screenings; and,

WHEREAS, despite communication challenges, individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have difficulty speaking are successful and productive residents who contribute to the economic well-being and social fabric of Virginia; and,

WHEREAS, the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is raising awareness about those who experience challenges speaking or hearing and about available treatment options, assistive technology and use of various communication modalities that can improve the quality of life which benefits the Commonwealth; and,

WHEREAS, Better Hearing and Speech Month was initially nationally recognized by President Ronald Reagan on May 21, 1986; and,

WHEREAS, the theme of Better Hearing and Speech Month 2022 is “Connecting People,” which can be achieved with accessible communication so they can fully participate;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 2022 as BETTER SPEECH AND HEARING MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations