This article is a part of the November/December 2026, Volume 38, Number 6, Audiology Today issue.
AAA 2027 is fast approaching, taking place April 7–10, 2027, in St. Louis, Missouri. As convention chair and someone who has attended the AAA Annual Convention for many years, I am excited to share my vision for this year’s meeting, recognize the tremendous work of our volunteers, preview some of the sessions we have planned, and highlight several exciting changes coming to AAA 2027.
And, of course, we are thrilled to be returning to St. Louis. With the iconic Gateway Arch, outstanding restaurants, vibrant entertainment, professional sports, and plenty of attractions for attendees and their families, St. Louis provides a great backdrop for several days of learning, networking, and reconnecting with colleagues.
A Convention with a Purpose
When I was asked to chair AAA 2027, I spent considerable time thinking about what makes an annual convention truly valuable. As an audiologist and a long-time convention attendee, I know that our time away from the clinic is limited and valuable. When we attend a national convention, we should come home with more than a collection of CEUs; we should return with new knowledge, new ideas, and practical tools that can improve the way we practice. In other words, a convention program that will Amplify Your Value. That philosophy has guided our planning for AAA 2027.
From an educational standpoint, our goal is to provide high-level, cutting-edge, clinically applicable content. We have made a deliberate effort to identify innovative topics and engage presenters who can bring fresh perspectives to our profession. When our committees review submitted lectures and posters, relevance, quality, innovation, and clinical applicability will be central considerations.
Our goal is for AAA 2027 to offer topics, speakers, and educational experiences that you cannot get anywhere else. Whether you work in private practice, a hospital, academic setting, industry, pediatrics, or another area of audiology, we want you to find sessions that challenge you, interest you, and give you something you can take back to your patients and practice.
As a private practitioner myself, I am also particularly excited about our continued and expanded focus on private practice. We will bring together speakers from both within and outside audiology to provide perspectives that can help all of us think differently about the future of our profession.
A Convention Built by Audiologists
One of the things I appreciate most about the AAA Annual Convention is that it is truly a convention by audiologists and for audiologists. Much of what makes the meeting successful happens behind the scenes, through the countless hours contributed by volunteers.
During the committee chair selection process, we intentionally sought individuals from across the country who represent different practice settings, professional interests, and areas of expertise. That diversity is important because there is no single experience of being an audiologist. The challenges facing a private practitioner may be different from those facing someone in an academic medical center, hospital, pediatric setting, or other clinical environment.
Our volunteers understand those differences because they are living them every day.
The result is a convention designed by practicing audiologists who understand what their colleagues need. We want attendees to leave with ideas they can actually implement, not just information that sounds interesting in the conference room.
None of this would be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, and I am incredibly grateful for the time and energy they have already invested in making AAA 2027 a success.
A Preview of What’s Ahead
There is a tremendous amount to look forward to in the educational program.
- Our Learning Labs will feature all-new topics this year, including how to start and sustain a successful tinnitus program, the ins and outs of imaging from both audiological and medical perspectives, and updates in music audiology.
- The always-popular Hearing Aids in Review will return for 2027, providing the opportunity to examine the latest developments in hearing technology and their clinical implications.
- The Marion Downs Lecture will focus on family-centered support in pediatric hearing healthcare, an important topic as we continue to look beyond technology and consider the broader needs of children and their families.
- Other sessions will explore topics ranging from identifying skin lesions from a dermatologist’s perspective, understanding how a neurotologist approaches complex cases, the next decade of audiology, and what to do when objective test results do not agree.
- We will also feature an interprofessional course examining how cognitive factors can be integrated into hearing healthcare.
These are just a few of the many educational opportunities planned for the meeting.
Some Exciting Changes for 2027
We are also introducing several changes designed to make the convention even more useful for practicing audiologists.
For the first time, AAA 2027 will feature Practice Setting Workshops. These Wednesday morning workshops will provide practical information and tools relevant to audiologists across the practice spectrum. The goal is simple—give attendees ideas they can take home and use in the real world.
We are also bringing back Frontiers in Audiology Research, a series that has consistently been popular with attendees. These sessions provide an opportunity to explore emerging research and consider how new discoveries may shape the future of audiology.
Another major focus for 2027 will be Amplify Your Value, offering actionable practice management tools that can be applied in real-world settings across a broad spectrum of practice environments, with particular value for those working in private practice.
Finally, you may notice a new session category on the program: Spotlight Sessions. These 30-minute presentations are designed to provide advanced, evidence-based, practical information in a concise format. If you are looking for a focused deep dive into an important topic without committing to a longer session, Spotlight Sessions are designed for you.
Join Us in St. Louis
Ultimately, AAA 2027 is about more than lectures and continuing education. It is an opportunity to learn from leading experts, exchange ideas with colleagues, build professional relationships, and reconnect with friends from across the country and around the world. Most importantly, come ready to be part of the conversation about where audiology is headed next.
We have worked hard to create a convention that is educationally ambitious, clinically relevant, and genuinely useful to audiologists in every practice setting. I hope you will join us in St. Louis for what promises to be an exciting few days for our profession.
I look forward to seeing you in St. Louis!
#Amplify
Author Information:
Samuel N. Bittel, AuD, DFAAA, BC-VA
AAA 2027 Program Chair
