PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE | Validating Expertise, Elevating Care

As audiologists, we have long advocated for the highest standards of care for our patients. While state licensure establishes a baseline for practice, it is just that—the minimum requirement. To truly elevate our profession and demonstrate our expertise, we must go beyond the basics and actively pursue opportunities to showcase our advanced skills. Specialty certification through the American Board of Audiology (ABA) is one of the most effective ways to do this.

ABA specialty certificates and certifications allow audiologists to validate their proficiency in critical areas of practice, reinforcing our commitment to excellence while distinguishing ourselves in an increasingly competitive health-care landscape. These credentials not only affirm our expertise to patients and colleagues but also help strengthen our position as essential providers within the broader medical community.

The ABA currently offers specialty certificates in tinnitus management and audiology precepting and board certifications in pediatric audiology and now, vestibular audiology. The new Vestibular Audiology Specialty Certification (VASC) provides a formal mechanism to demonstrate advanced knowledge and clinical expertise in balance disorders—an area of audiology that is becoming more vital as the population ages and dizziness-related conditions become more prevalent—and will begin accepting applications May 1. By earning specialty certification, audiologists can validate their ability to provide the highest level of care in these complex areas.

Earning a specialty board certification is not just about adding letters after our names—it is about demonstrating our commitment to excellence and lifelong learning. It signals to patients, colleagues, and policymakers that audiologists are the true experts in hearing and balance care. As the health-care landscape evolves, board certification may also play an increasingly important role in reimbursement, referrals, and interprofessional collaboration.

I encourage all audiologists to consider how specialty certification can enhance their practice, reinforce their expertise, and contribute to the advancement of our profession. By pursuing certification, we raise the bar—not just for ourselves, but for the entire field of audiology.

Let’s continue to lead the way in setting the highest standards for patient care.