Academy Information 

The American Academy of Audiology is the world's largest professional organization of, by, and for audiologists. The active membership of nearly 11,000 is dedicated to providing quality hearing care services through professional development, education, research, and increased public awareness of hearing and balance disorders.

Mission Statement

The American Academy of Audiology promotes quality hearing and balance care by advancing the profession of audiology through leadership, advocacy, education, public awareness, and support of research.

A4... Advancing the Profession of Audiology

The Academy Board of Directors has identified three entities with missions critical to achieving autonomy, and the Academy has entered into written agreements (memoranda of understanding) with each: the American Academy of Audiology Foundation (AAAF), the American Board of Audiology (ABA), and Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE). The partnership represented by these four nimble organizations has been dubbed the A4. View a visual representation of how the Academy's Mission statement as well as the A4 are advancing the profession of audiology through leadership, advocacy, education, public awareness, and support research.

20th Anniversary & Founders' Day

On January 30, 1988, 32 audiologists met in Houston, Texas, to discuss the formation of a national association of audiologists. This association would be an essential part of every audiologist's life. Together, the members would strive to advance the science and practice of audiology, and to achieve the recognition of the public as experts in hearing and balance.

In January 2008, the Academy's Board voted to declare January 30 as Founders' Day. To commemorate this event, a flag was flown above the U.S. Capitol on January 30, 2008. To honor our founding father, the conference room in our Capitol Hill Office has been named the James Jerger Conference Room, made possible with a generous gift to the AAA Foundation from Plural Publishing and Dr. and Mrs. Singh.

Now, 20 years later, the Academy is close to 11,000 audiologists strong, each one contributing to the continued success of the profession. Congratulations to all of you!

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History

The American Academy of Audiology was founded in January of 1988 when a group of audiology leaders met at the invitation of Dr. James Jerger at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. The purpose of the study group was to establish an independent, freestanding national organization run by and for audiologists. The new organization would be uniquely sensitive to the professional issues and the professional concerns affecting all audiologists. A Charter Advisory Committee was formed to elect officers, adopt bylaws, establish membership requirements and set up a national office. Jerger was elected the first President. The Charter of Incorporation for the Academy was filed in Nashville, Tennessee, in June 1988. The first national convention of the Academy was held in Kiawah Island, South Carolina in April 1989 with some 600 attendees. As an indication of the phenomenal growth of the Academy, the 13th Annual Convention was held in San Diego during April 2001 with more than 7,300 attendees.

Membership

Membership in the American Academy of Audiology requires specific credentials and a minimum of a master's degree in audiology from an accredited university. There are several categories of membership including Fellows, Affiliates, International Members, Students, Retired, Disabled, Life and Life Emeritus. Membership as a Fellow, Affiliate Student or International Member of the Academy requires strict compliance with the Academy's Code of Ethics, (which is similar in scope and purpose to ethical practice codes of other learned professions.) For applications to all categories of membership and their eligibility requirements, click here. Life, Retired and Disabled memberships have special requirements; for more information, please contact the Membership Department.

We produce a number of publications for our members including our research journal, the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology (published 10 times per year), our bimonthly membership magazine, Audiology Today, and AT Extra, a monthly e-newsletter.

More Information

For more information about audiologists, our profession and our national Academy, please feel free to browse through the many informative pages of our Web site. Additional information may be obtained by contacting our national office by telephone at 800-AAA-2336, by fax at 703-790-8631, (or by e-mail to our Communications Department.)