Twenty years ago, a group of Academy members came together to develop a certification that would serve audiologists by verifying credentials in an independent process that offers an alternative to the American Speech–Language–Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competence–Audiology. They developed a program of rigorous education and experience verification with strong continuing education requirements and called it Board Certified in Audiology, in recognition of the substantial requisites.
The American Academy of Audiology’s Annual Conference took place in Columbus, Ohio, on March 27–30, 2019. Columbus was an exceptional venue for the conference with a wide variety of educational events, social events, and networking opportunities, all designed to advance the profession of audiology. Educational and networking opportunities included:
The doctor of audiology (AuD) degree was developed to support a profession with a scope of practice that had outgrown its existing educational standards. Multiple professional associations, including the American Academy of Audiology, the American Speech–Language–Hearing Association, and the Academy of Dispensing Audiologists (later renamed the Academy of Doctors of Audiology) worked to define the expanding knowledge and skills expected of competent audiologists.
I hope this e-mail finds you well, warm, and in good spirits. My name is Joshua Huppert and I'm currently a pediatric audiologist and member of the Pediatric Balance Team at Children's Hospital Colorado (CHCO). I will only remain at CHCO for another two or so weeks, as I've accepted a position at University of Miami Ear Institute, where I will not only be a pediatric audiologist, but also hold a faculty appointment as well, allowing me to grow, develop, and hone my skills as a clinician AND a future educator.
Imagine Anna, a 20-year-old woman with a severe hearing loss. While in the waiting room of her audiologist's office, she notices a brochure. It asserts, “With our hearing aids, you will have a normal hearing!” As Anna reads these words, she becomes emotional as her dream has always been to hear like everyone else. Not surprisingly, Anna selects these hearing aids, but once she is fitted with them and experiences "less than normal" hearing, she leaves the office with tears of disappointment rather than tears of joy. This is a true story.
Three members of the American Academy of Audiology, Bettie Borton, AuD; Victor Bray, PhD, and Victoria Keetay, PhD, were recently selected to serve in leadership positions in the the National Academies of Practice (NAP). Bettie Borton and Victoria Keetay are the chair and vice chair of the Audiology Academy in the NAP, respectively. Victor Bray, founding chair of the Audiology Academy, has been elected as secretary/treasurer to NAP’s Executive Council.
Autonomy, professional recognition, and public recognition are all goals of the audiology profession and have been for some time now. Great strides have been made due to the hard work and dedication of many Audiologists through the years, and each one has shared the same advice; pass it on, do your share, and move it forward. Professional advocacy is something we all have a responsibility for, whether one acknowledges it or not.
On October 25–26, 2016, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) hosted a conference on audiology education. The Conference was attended by representatives of all 75 academic programs in the United States, with representatives from the American Academy of Audiology, the American Board of Audiology, the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education, and the Student Academy of Audiology also attending the conference.
It is that time of the year when we are starting to get serious about summer vacation. Discussions about where to go and when to do so are heating up around the dinner table. Family members are relating all the good things they have heard from others. The same question is being asked in many homes over and over again – what do you want to go see this summer?
Autonomy, professional recognition, and public recognition are all goals of the audiology profession and have been for some time now. Great strides have been made due to the hard work and dedication of many Audiologists through the years, and each one has shared the same advice; pass it on, do your share, and move it forward. Professional advocacy is something we all have a responsibility for, whether one acknowledges it or not.