Debbie Dingell: “for 75 years, May has been designated Better Hearing and Speech Month. With an estimated 42 million Americans affected…”

“for 75 years, May has been designated Better Hearing and Speech Month. With an estimated 42 million Americans affected by speech, language, and hearing disorders, audiologist and speech language pathologist have made a special effort during this month to inform, educate, and raise awareness about this critical health care issue. It is estimated that one in six Americans has a hearing, speech, or language problem--a condition that makes it difficult to communicate with others. An impairment of the ability to hear, speak, or understand effectively can affect anyone, of any age, at any time. If left untreated these problems can limit a person at home, school, and work. With proper treatment, however, the isolating effects of communication disorders can be minimized or completely eliminated. As with most health care conditions, it is critical that communication disorders be diagnosed early. As the most common congenital birth defect, hearing loss can severely affect a child's social, emotional, and academic development. That is why I urge all 50 states to follow the example of my home state of Michigan, and implement routine hearing screens for every newborn before they leave the hospital. Also, hearing loss among Americans age 65 and over affects one out of three people, but without effective screening, many are condemned to suffer in silence. We must seek comprehensive hearing screening for all Americans.”