What Breakthroughs Are Coming to AAA 2026?

AAA 2026 will be delivering some of the most timely, innovative, and practice-shaping content in audiology in San Antonio. This year’s Featured Sessions will spotlight the issues defining audiology today, from cutting-edge research to complex clinical decision-making to ethics and interprofessional care.

Here are some of the sessions your colleagues will be talking about—and the ones that will elevate your practice the moment you’re back home.

Leveling the Playing Field: Interprofessional Strategies for Concussion Care

Wednesday, April 22, 12:30–2:00 pm

Moderator: Alaina Bassett, AuD, PhD

Panelists: Jamie Bogle, AuD, PhD; Rosemarie Scolaro Moser, PhD; Joel Marquez, DPT, PT, ATC, LAT; Anthony Kontos, PhD

This session will explore the often-overlooked role of audiologists in assessing and managing concussion-related auditory and vestibular issues, emphasizing an interprofessional, evidence-based approach to recovery and return-to-play decisions. Brought to you by the AAA Foundation. 

From Awkward to Authentic: Talking Money in Your Practice

Wednesday, April 22, 2:15–3:15 pm

Presented by Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, Mind Money Balance

Part of our new Amplify Your Value Track, this session equips audiologists with psychology-informed, practical communication strategies to confidently discuss pricing by reframing cost conversations around patient outcomes, value, and quality of care, while providing patient-centered language and tools to build trust and financial fluency.

Breaking Barriers, Eliminating Limits: Cochlear Implantation in the Modern Era

Thursday April 23, 8:00–9:30 am

Moderator: Sarah Sydlowski, AuD, PhD, MBA

Presented byRichard Gurgel, MD; Margaret Dillon, AuD, PhD; René Gifford, AuD; Aaron Moberly, MD

Join us to explore the dual-loyalty dilemma audiologists face in carceral settings, where the ethical duty to provide appropriate patient care conflicts with institutional security requirements, particularly when ADA-mandated audiological devices also pose potential contraband and safety risks.

From Bench to Playroom: Breakthrough Clinical Trial Data on Gene Therapies for Genetic Hearing Loss

Thursday, April 23, 4:00–5:00 pm

Presented by Jonathon Whitton, AuD, PhD, Tera Quigley, AuD;  Anne Hiockox, PhD

This session explores how molecular diagnostics and emerging gene therapies are transforming the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric genetic hearing loss, bridging cutting-edge research, clinical trials, and real-world clinical practice.

“You Have Normal Hearing”: Perspectives of Patients, Clinicians, and Students on Unexplained Hearing Concerns

Friday, April 24, 8:00–9:00 am

Presented by Aryn Kamerer, PhD

This session will examine the disconnect between “normal hearing” diagnoses and patients’ lived experiences, exploring how guidelines, clinician decision making, and patient perceptions align—or don’t—to improve person-centered care.

The Marion Downs Lecture in Pediatric Audiology: Early Neural Timing Precision Impacts Later Language and Cognition

Friday, April 24, 9:30–11:00 am

Presented by April Benasich, PhD; Gabriella Musacchia, PhD

Sponsored by the William Demant Foundation

Early neural timing precision and rapid auditory processing in infancy strongly predict later language and cognitive outcomes, with evidence showing that targeted acoustic enrichment can enhance development and guide new approaches to early identification and intervention.

Hearing Aids in Review: 2025

Friday, April 24, 2:30–4:00 pm

Presented by Catherine Palmer, PhD; Gus Mueller, PhD; Ryan McCreery, PhD

This session will bring you up to date on the current hearing aid literature and position you to apply relevant findings to your clinical practice.

And that’s not all! As we continue to focus on innovations and advancements shaping the future of the profession throughout AAA 2026, we are also offering curated eye-opening research presentations.

Frontiers in Audiology Research: Pediatrics 

Thursday, April 23, 8:15–9:30 am

Moderator: Nicole Corbin, AuD, PhD

Presenters: Jessie Patterson, AuD, PhD; Andrea Warner-Czyz, PhD; Angela Bonino, PhD

Back by popular demand, this AAA session features 15-minute presentations from leading experts sharing cutting-edge pediatric audiology research across cochlear implants, electrophysiology, hearing care disparities in developmental disabilities, and vestibular sciences, with time for audience Q&A.

Into the Tank: Research Edition 

Thursday, April 23, 2:15–3:30 pm

Moderator: Daniel Romero, AuD, PhDPanelists: Jamie Bogle, AuD, PhD; Ryan McCreery, PhD; Samantha Kleindienst Robler, AuD, PhD

This new, fast-paced event showcases innovative early-career and doctoral audiology research through 8-minute pitches with expert panel feedback, audience voting, and mentorship-driven dialogue—while offering attendees .1 CEUs.

Frontiers in Audiology Research: Implantable Devices

Friday, April 24, 4:15–5:30 pm

Moderator: Hillary Snapp, AuD, PhD

Presenters by: Steve Bowditch, AuD, Jennifer Drob, AuD, Kara Leyzac AuD, PhD, William Shapiro, AuD

Building on last year’s success, this AAA 2026 “Frontiers in Audiology Research” session features 15-minute presentations from experts highlighting cutting-edge research and emerging innovations in implantable hearing technologies, including cochlear, auditory brainstem, vestibular, and bone-conduction implants, with time for Q&A.