President’s Message—Audiology Awareness and Advocacy Updates

By Angela Shoup, PhD, Academy President

(October 7, 2020)

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Academy Membership Renewals Are Open!
Renew online by November 1 and receive a $5 GrubHub e-gift card as a token of thanks from the Academy.

There are also new professional discounts, payment plan options, and eAudiology web seminar package deals to select from when you renew!

October Is National Audiology Awareness Month

The Academy is dedicated to advancing the profession through increasing public awareness of audiology and the importance of hearing protection. Your grassroots efforts to educate the public locally will make a profound difference! Raise awareness on social media and update your cover photo on Facebook, post on Instagram, and spread the word on Twitter with these awareness graphics. 

Advocacy Updates

In a continued effort to address the proposed cuts to audiology reimbursement under Medicare effective January 1, 2021, the Academy is submitting comments to the CMS proposed rule for the CY21 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and working collaboratively with other provider groups to explore a legislative fix.

Other recent activities have been continued involvement and representation of audiology interests in COVID-related legislation, monitoring news out of the FDA for release of the OTC regulations (now likely not expected at least before the end of the year), tracking movement of the Audiology and Speech-Language-Pathology Interstate Compact, and influencing other legislation, such as the recent Veterans Administration bill.  Members can help to advance audiology priorities by getting involved in advocacy efforts.

Academy Statement on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation on Adult Hearing Screening

Under the leadership of Nick Reed, AuD (Chair of the Scientific Advisory & Research Council) and Ryan McCreery, PhD (Chair of the Research Initiatives Committee, the Academy has prepared a statement and submitted comments in response to the USPSTF Draft Recommendation Statement and Draft Evidence Review: Screening for Hearing Loss in Older Adults. 

Resources Available to Support Outreach Efforts

During National Audiology Awareness Month in October, engage in focused efforts to educate the public and other health-care providers on the importance of identifying and treating hearing and balance disorders.  Academy committees have prepared a variety of resources available on the Academy web site for member use in outreach efforts.

Find an Audiologist

Make sure your member profile is updated and support the public awareness efforts for the AAAF Find an Audiologist Campaign.

Leadership Transition

October 1 marked the start of the new Academy year—new fiscal year and new volunteer year.  We are pleased to welcome new board members Marcia Raggio, Samantha Kleindienst Robler, and Chris Spankovich, and president-elect Sarah Sydlowski, to begin their terms. 

This is also the time that the new council chairs cycle in with our old council chairs staying on one more year and new chair-elects in place. As well, we welcome some new committee leaders and committee members.  See the updated governance structure for 2020-2021.

We appreciate the time and commitment of the hundreds of member volunteers who advance the mission of the Academy.

Last Call for Honors Nominations: October 8
Know of a colleague who has made significant contributions to the audiology profession? Submit a nomination and recognize him or her for their extraordinary efforts in our field.