Speech, Language, and Hearing 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

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

WHEREAS, an estimated 17 million adults have trouble speaking, and many people with difficulty speaking do not seek treatment; and

WHEREAS, adults with hearing loss or speaking difficulties can face barriers to effective communication; however, treatment is available to improve hearing and speech; and

WHEREAS, hearing loss prevention can protect residual hearing, and hearing loss can be detected through hearing screenings; and

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

WHEREAS, despite communication challenges, individuals who have hearing loss or difficulty speaking can overcome barriers and achieve effective communication to become successful and productive citizens 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 of available treatment options, assistive technology, and accommodations that can improve quality of life for adults with hearing loss or difficulty speaking, which benefits the Commonwealth;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 2024, as SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations