By Todd Ricketts
This article is a part of the September/October 2019, Volume 31, Number 5, Audiology Today issue.
Hearing aid processing no longer operates under the assumption that the real-world listening environments are represented by simple laboratory test conditions, such as the talker of interest is in front with noise behind, or even that there is only a single talker of interest. In addition, the driving philosophy has shifted from treating a single complaint (e.g., understanding in noise) to holistically treating individuals across the full range of their real environments and experiences (e.g., connecting to an auditory world). While improving speech recognition is still the primary goal of amplification, research is moving to include considerations from personal relationships to general health and well-being.
In addition to advances in hearing aid technologies and how hearing loss impacts the patient as a whole, there are also ongoing advances in how we assess patient outcomes in the real world. This recent research has reinforced the breadth of potential amplification benefits which, in turn, has renewed interest in increased accessibility to hearing health care. We considered these general themes when recruiting the organizing committee and this year’s speakers. We were able to line up an exceptionally qualified group of speakers who addressed current and future directions in amplification.
From considering hearing loss from a public health perspective to new advances in technology, service delivery, and assessing patients’ needs and outcomes, our six expert speakers for ARC 2019 brought an unmatched and forward-thinking perspective. Not surprisingly, the feedback we have received thus far has been incredibly positive.
ARC 2019 truly had something for everyone with an interest in adult hearing aid candidates. In addition to our exceptional speakers, ARC 2019 also included a lunch-time poster session with several interesting posters from hearing aid researchers and students. An associated student poster competition provided travel support for several students to attend ARC, further enhancing the experience for all. ARC 2019 provided the most up-to-date and cutting-edge information in amplification. These exceptional thought leaders also provided insight into the future, in an area for which rapid change continues to be expected. The following abstracts summarize their presentations.
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