By Patrick E Gallagher
This article is a part of the March/April 2025, Volume 37, Number 2, Audiology Today issue.
Executive Director | American Academy of Audiology
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that audiologists have a strong appreciation for music, demonstrated either by playing an instrument, singing, or just listening. It’s fitting, therefore, that this year’s AAA 2025+HearTECH Expo takes place in New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. Much like jazz, audiology thrives on innovation, adaptability, and collaboration. This conference is your opportunity to embrace the same spirit of creativity that musicians embody—and bring it back to your practice.
The landscape of hearing and balance health care is changing rapidly, and audiologists are at the forefront of this transformation. To stay ahead, the Academy is committed to exploring innovative ways to deliver care. At AAA 2025, you’ll find a variety of sessions designed to inspire fresh ideas. From leveraging new technologies and modernized practice management strategies, to reimagining patient engagement, you’ll leave with actionable insights that can reinvigorate your approach to patient care.
Have you ever wanted to learn more about professional development or strategies to avoid burnout? Curious about cutting-edge solutions for tinnitus management? What about networking events to connect with like-minded audiologists in a relaxed and welcoming environment? The conference is where you’ll find answers and collaborate with colleagues on new ways to provide exceptional care.
Let’s be honest: The daily demands of the audiology profession can sometimes leave you feeling stretched thin. Attending the conference offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with why you became an audiologist in the first place. Being surrounded by peers who share your passion for improving lives is an energizing experience. Investing in yourself is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. AAA 2025 is an investment in your career, your knowledge, and your future.
Much like a jazz musician finding new harmony, you’ll rediscover the joy of your profession at the conference. New Orleans jazz is a reminder that creativity and collaboration can lead to extraordinary results. One hallmark of early New Orleans jazz is collective improvisation, where multiple musicians simultaneously play variations of a melody. This rich and layered sound that blended genres and cultures created a unique musical form that continues to evolve to this day. The same is true for audiology. The more audiologists come together to share ideas and amplify expertise, the stronger the profession becomes, sending a powerful message: audiologists are united, innovative, and should be taken as seriously as any other profession that provides care for chronic diseases.
By attending AAA 2025, you’re stepping into a space where innovation takes center stage. You’ll leave not just with new knowledge, but with the renewed energy to make a meaningful difference in your patients’ lives, and strategies for enhancing the role of the profession.
So, pack your bags, tune into the rhythm of progress, and join us in New Orleans. Your patients, your career, and your profession deserve it. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by—because the best innovations happen when audiologists gather, learn, and play together. Also, if you do like to sing, join the Academy chorus and sing the national anthem to kick off the conference. No experience necessary.
I hope to see you in New Orleans.
