This article is a part of the May/June 2025, Volume 37, Number 3, Audiology Today issue.
Executive Director
The following are adapted from comments delivered at the AAA 2025 annual conference.
We are living in times of rapid and sometimes unsettling change. In times like these, I find comfort in knowing that the Academy was founded on guiding principles that are as true today as they were when the Academy began. Advancing an independent clinical specialty recognized as the hearing and balance care experts remains the Academy’s core mission. The collective knowledge and skills of members committed to the concept “of, by, and for audiology” are powerful indeed.
AAA is committed to providing more value to members so they, in turn, can provide more value to their patients and others central to their practice and profession.
Let me give you a couple of examples.
For members in private practice who find it difficult to talk about payment with patients, we can share proven strategies to make those conversations easier. If you want to learn more about billing for noncovered services—services you may be giving away—you can look to the Academy for stories of colleagues who have successfully navigated these challenges. Some of you may be wondering, “To bundle or not to bundle.” That is a good question. And within our diverse membership, we have the answers so you can decide what makes the most sense for you.
What if you are in a hospital setting? Are there strategies you’d like to implement for enhanced efficiency? What about strategies to improve your relationships with physicians, so you can more effectively demonstrate your contributions?
Regardless of your practice setting, the Academy is committed to developing and providing meaningful resources to help you achieve success in the business of audiology and to amplify your value so you are recognized as the expert in hearing and balance care. Our new program for audiology assistants is designed so that audiologists can practice at the highest level regardless of practice setting.
Our strategic documents are the gold standard for hearing and balance care and are integral to efforts to help audiologists practice at the top of their scope using clinical evidence. They also lay the groundwork for developing an evidence-based view of how to shape the future of audiology through solid clinical evidence. Having this information incorporated into audiology practice is integral to the profession, setting itself apart and demonstrating your value.
Providing enhanced audiology resources for Academy members to incorporate in their practice is essential to elevating the profession, but we need to help you strengthen your resilience to handle other pressures negatively affecting you. The Academy’s “Beyond the Booth” educational series combines professional development, personal wellness, and a host of other topics designed to empower audiologists to handle everyday stressors, both on the job and in your personal life. If you aren’t taking care of yourself, you will not be able to provide optimal care to your patients and demonstrate your value.
The Academy is setting the bar high, so you can demonstrate your proficiency as the experts in hearing and balance health care. The Academy is committed to providing value to members, so you can demonstrate your value to patients by delivering optimal care, to physicians and other clinicians by clearly articulating your expertise, and to payers to help them understand your role in integrating clinical guidelines into practice for improved patient outcomes.
By leveraging clinical evidence and practicing at the top of your scope, all while working within the Academy’s supportive community, we will ensure audiology is recognized for its full potential, while at the same time becoming the best version of ourselves.
Patrick E. Gallagher, MBA
Executive Director
