A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to direct the department of health and human services to study issues relating to hearing loss in older adults in north carolina as recommended by the study commission on aging.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, shall study the impact of hearing loss on North Carolina's older adult population. The study shall examine the following:
(1)	The availability of and access to qualified professionals for diagnosis and treatment. 
(2)	The availability of and access to hearing aid purchase assistance programs for low-income individuals.
(3)	Developing an inventory of adaptive technology options available to assist older adults with hearing loss.
(4)	Resources and programs available in other states.
SECTION 1.(b)  In response to the study authorized in this section, the Department of Health and Human Services shall present findings and recommendations to the Study Commission on Aging on or before November 1, 2009. 
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.