Every year, the Academy asks colleagues, friends, and mentees to look around their professional circles and identify members who are deserving of recognition for outstanding service to audiology and the hearing sciences. The American Academy of Audiology is pleased to recognize the following award recipients for 2023, please join us in extending our heartfelt congratulations.
Each award recipient was asked to answer the question “What achievement are you most proud of?”
Watch the video compilation above to hear all their answers. More information can be found in their bios, where you can learn more about their professional journey and watch their individual videos.
Visit this page to learn more about Academy Honors and Awards.
Clinical Excellence in Audiology Award
Kelly Baroch, AuD
Throughout her career, Dr. Baroch has been a leader in quality care practices for early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) programs. Dr. Baroch’s work has improved our knowledge base the field of audiology, helped countless infants receive better hearing health care, and most importantly provided counseling and support to parents of these infants in times when it was most needed. Read more.
Honors of the Academy Award
Catherine Palmer, PhD
As a clinician and researcher, Dr. Palmer is recognized internationally as a passionate, yet approachable, advocate for evidence-based audiological care. Dr. Palmer is an eminent leader in the field of audiology, with contributions in clinical practice, research, education, and advocacy for the profession. Her service to the profession of audiology will be most remembered and appreciated for her extraordinary efforts as the Academy’s president during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.
Humanitarian Award
Michael Mallahan, AuD, ABA Certified
Dr. Mallahan learned early in life to be of service to others through his parents’ example; every Friday dinner was a mission meal. Dr. Mallahan is now in his 20th year of service to children in Guatemala helping to provide access to the ear and hearing care they need. More than 5,000 children have received hearing aids in addition to ear, nose and throat surgeries. Overall, Dr. Mallahan is being recognized with the Humanitarian Award for the notable example he sets for the profession in raising the standard for hearing care in his community and globally, reminding us of the importance of giving back. Read more.
Jerger Career Award for Research in Audiology
Richard Tyler, PhD
Dr. Tyler has made contributions to translational research over his 40-plus-year career; known for his seminal research contributions in the areas of cochlear implants, tinnitus, and hyperacusis, having published 290 peer-review manuscripts, including the development of the Spatial Hearing Questionnaire and the Tinnitus Primary Functions Questionnaire. Dr. Tyler’s nominators describe him as having the “insightful, inquisitive, and creative mind of a disruptor,” who has made tremendous scientific and clinical contributions to the profession. Read more.
Marion Downs Pediatric Audiology Award
Marlene Bagatto, AuD, PhD
As noted by one of her nominators, Dr. Bagatto is one of the “world’s foremost experts in the provision of early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) services and research in children with hearing loss.” Dr. Bagatto has a significant history of leading the profession and being an advocate for those we serve, including being the chair of the Canadian Infant Hearing Task Force, a past president of the Canadian Academy of Audiology, and co-chairing the Sound Foundation International Pediatric Conferences. Read more.
Outstanding Educator Award
Patricia Gaffney, AuD
Dr. Gaffney is highly recognized for her contributions in the areas of vestibular assessments and treatment. Her expertise in clinical and academic training are valued for her leadership of her university’s inter-professional team of optometry, pharmacy, medicine, and physical therapy. She challenges and engages her audiology students and they have learned to appreciate the importance of professional involvement, through Dr. Gaffney’s commitment in leadership roles. Read more.
Samuel F. Lybarger Industry Award
Michael Santucci, AuD
As a young audiologist and musician in the 1980s, Dr. Santucci saw an unrecognized appreciation for protecting the hearing health of performers working in the unregulated music industry. He then founded Sensaphonics and dedicated his life to increase acceptance of effective hearing loss prevention approaches, without compromising musical experiences. He has truly championed audiology’s recognition of the opportunities in, and importance of, preventing hearing loss among musicians and their audiences. Read more.
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