Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) To Have Hearing Screened At Alma Mater
(ROCKVILLE, MD-30 May 2006) Answering a call to assist with a visit that will highlight Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM), the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) provided support to the office of Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) who will visit Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center today to meet with faculty and get his hearing screened.
In 2004, a viral infection caused Neugebauer to suffer sudden hearing loss in his left ear. A graduate of Texas Tech, he represents the 19th Congressional district, which includes Lubbock, where the university is.
"It is a huge plus anytime a member of Congress personally demonstrates the importance of getting one's hearing checked and helps bring attention to Better Hearing and Speech Month," according to ASHA President Alex Johnson. "We are very appreciative of Rep. Neugebauer's involvement."
"Hearing loss affects people of all ages, not just the elderly," Rep. Neugebauer says. "It is important that children and adults educate themselves about the dangers that can lead to hearing loss, and that they get routine screenings to increase the chance of detecting it early."
ASHA helped set up the Congressman's visit to the University Health Sciences Center and has been a key source of ideas for his BHSM activity in his district. It has also briefed Neugebauer on important legislation that he now co-sponsors — bills that include measures dealing with direct access to audiologists, hearing aid tax credit, and speech-language pathologist outpatient Medicare supplier status.
Congressman Neugebauer will have his hearing evaluated following a 9:00 a.m. tour of the Texas Tech Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences facility.
"We are pleased to have the opportunity to visit with Congressman Neugebauer about the issues and challenges in the field of speech, language and hearing sciences," observes Paul Brooke, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences.
Texas Tech, which offers a Master's degree in speech-language pathology and a Doctorate in audiology (AuD), specializes in giving students the highest quality of advanced education in communication disorders and sciences. Upon graduation, one hundred percent of its students in these areas find employment.
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 123,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists who specialize in the research and treatment of communication disorders. Annually, it celebrates Better Hearing and Speech Month in May to heighten awareness of speech, language and hearing disorders affecting hundreds of millions of individuals worldwide.
Taken from www.asha.org/about/news/current/texastechscreening.htm
