The AAA Foundation supports lectures at the American Academy of Audiology Annual Conference designed to provide attendees with a range of opportunities, including scientific enrichment, career development, and professional networking.
The AAA Foundation will support the following lecture at AAA 2025+ HearTECH Expo:
Marion Downs Lecture in Pediatric Audiology
This popular lecture series, supported in part by the William Demant Foundation, explores contemporary topics in Pediatric Audiology. Marion Downs is considered the Mother of Audiology and is responsible for the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening to detect and treat hearing loss in newborns and infants.
Sponsored by William Demant Foundation.
Presented by Margaret Kenna, MD, MPH; Shelby Redfield, MS
Friday, March 8, 9:30–11:00 am
Pediatric sensorineural hearing loss is a common diagnosis and most often can be attributed to a single underlying genetic etiology. Understanding and diagnosing the specific etiology has important implications for children and families. This becomes increasingly relevant in the context of potential targeted gene therapy for hearing loss. Early and accurate diagnosis can have critical implications, and audiology professionals are often the first clinicians to interact with a pediatric SNHL patient. Establishing strong and collaborative relationships between genetics professionals, otolaryngologists and audiologists can increase positive outcomes and experiences for families.
Past Lectures
Comprehensive Pediatric Vestibular Care—In 2023, the lecture was presented by Violette Lavender, AuD; and Gretchen Mueller, DPT. Drs. Lavender and Mueller will be combining their 15-plus years of experience in pediatric vestibular assessment and rehabilitation to present a comprehensive look at pediatric vestibular care from birth to 21 years. Typical infant and child development will be discussed and will lay the foundation for identifying children who may be affected by vestibular and balance dysfunction.
Successful screening and testing techniques, as well as normal and abnormal findings, will be the focus of the assessment portion of the lecture given by Dr. Lavender. Dr. Mueller will discuss the vestibular physical therapist’s role in vestibular and balance assessment, as well as successful strategies to use with children for vestibular rehabilitation. Didactic case studies and video examples will be used to demonstrate testing and rehabilitation techniques.
Bias, Equity, and Early Childhood Development—In 2022, the Marion Downs Lecture in Pediatric Audiology was presented by Arie L. Nettles, PhD. Marion Downs on Bias, Equity, and Early Childhood Development (0.2 CEUs). This lecture earned national and international acclaim for myriad contributions to the identification and management of pediatric hearing problems and educating professionals to understand and support special needs; thus, bias and equity played significant roles. Based in science and research of the brain, unconscious biases are mental associations without intent, control, and awareness. Unconscious bias stems from automatic decisions one makes based experiences that impact personal, professional, and the most fundamental relationships. Awareness allows us to rethink the way we behave, evaluate, assess, and make equitable decisions for young stakeholders, especially those that are hearing impaired. Philanthropic support provided by the Oticon Foundation.
Enhancing Auditory Experience for Children Who Wear Hearing Aids - In 2021, the Marion Downs Lecture in Pediatric Audiology was presented by Dr. Ryan McCreery, PhD on Enhancing Auditory Experience for Children Who Wear Hearing Aids (0.1 AAA/Tier 1 CEUs). Dr. McCreery discussed the scientific progress from over the past 10 years across three key areas: hearing aid candidacy, quantifying cumulative auditory experience, and documenting developmental outcomes of children with hearing loss. A special emphasis was placed on how these recent developments can be implemented in clinical practice to improve audiological care for children. Philanthropic support provided by the Oticon Foundation.
Marion Downs Lecture in Pediatric Audiology - The 2019 Marion Downs Lecture at the annual conference was presented by Glenn Rall, PhD, Christen Szymanski, PhD, and Jolanta McCall, MA, MSc on Autism Spectrum Disorder: Considerations for Clinical Care in Pediatric Audiology (0.2 CEUs). This popular lecture is available on demand. Philanthropic support provided by the Oticon Foundation.
Improving Patient Care Through Innovation in Workplace Management - The 2017 lecture at the annual conference was presented by Barbara Balik, EdD, MS, RN, on Innovation in Hearing and Balance Care: A Pathway to Transforming Outcomes (.15 CEUs), in Indianapolis, IN. This lecture is available on demand. Philanthropic support provided by Phonak.
Marion Downs Lecture in Pediatric Audiology - The 2017 Marion Downs Lecture at the annual conference was presented by Anu Sharma, PhD, on Brain Changes in Hearing Loss (.15 CEUs). This popular lecture is available on demand. Philanthropic support provided by the Oticon Foundation.
Topics in Tinnitus Lecture - Delving into the field of tinnitus research, this year's annual lecture at the annual conference, Evidence-Based Tinnitus Management - Inching Toward a Standard of Practice (.3 CEUs/ABA Tier 1), presented by James Henry, PhD, is available on demand. Philanthropic support provided by Widex.
