HR0547 LRB096 13075 KXB 28130 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, 50,000,000 individuals in the United States have
3 experienced tinnitus, the perception of noises or ringing in
4 the ears and head when no external sound source is present; and
 
5     WHEREAS, 12,000,000 individuals in the United States
6 experience tinnitus to an incessant and debilitating degree,
7 such that the sounds in their ears and heads never abate,
8 forcing them to seek assistance from a health care
9 professional; and
 
10     WHEREAS, Tinnitus is frequently caused by exposure to loud
11 noises in the workplace, where an estimated 30,000,000
12 individuals in the United States are exposed to injurious
13 levels of noise each day, and where noise-induced hearing loss
14 is the most common occupational injury; and
 
15     WHEREAS, Tinnitus is also caused by exposure to loud noises
16 in recreational settings such as loud music, real or toy
17 firearms, fireworks, and loud engines, where levels of sound
18 can reach traumatic levels, and where individuals frequently
19 are not aware that temporary ringing in the ears can become
20 permanent after continued exposure to loud levels of sound; and
 
21     WHEREAS, In many cases, simply wearing proper hearing

 

 

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1 protection would protect individuals from damaging their
2 hearing; and
 
3     WHEREAS, Many individuals with tinnitus are told that the
4 only solution to their condition is to learn to live with it,
5 even though treatments for tinnitus are available that can help
6 reduce the stress of the incessant ringing and increase the
7 coping skills and quality of life for individuals who
8 experience this condition; and
 
9     WHEREAS, We recognize that tinnitus affects men and women
10 of all ages, including but not limited to, combat veterans,
11 children utilizing personal music systems, ordinary citizens
12 taking necessary medications, and workers exposed through
13 occupational hazards; therefore, be it
 
14     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
15 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
16 encourage interested groups and affected persons to promote
17 public awareness of tinnitus, the dangers of loud noise, and
18 the importance of hearing protection for all individuals; and
19 commit to continuing its support of innovative hearing health
20 research, so that treatments for tinnitus can be refined and a
21 cure for tinnitus can be discovered; and be it further
 
22     RESOLVED, That the month of May be designated as Tinnitus

 

 

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1 Awareness Month, in order to raise public awareness and to
2 further its mission to silence tinnitus through education,
3 advocacy, research, and support.