Task Force members review the submissions for the Hearing and Balance Research Grant Program in early 2025, and also participate in planning and onsite facilitation of the research networking session at AAA 2025 in New Orleans this March. No prior grant review experience is required, although an understanding of grant proposals and clinical research is desired.

Submit inquiries or a letter of interest detailing relevant experience by December 1.

The post Volunteers Sought for Research Initiatives Task Force appeared first on American Academy of Audiology.

The bill to address the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) cuts might be included in a continuing resolution (CR) package, given the broad-based bipartisan support for increasing physicians’ reimbursement. There are rumors that Republicans might try to push something on Medicare, or move on appropriations bills, rather than pass a CR now and defer longer-term decisions to March. Given that Democrats currently hold the Senate, it would be challenging for anything to be accomplished quickly with the anticipated back-and-forth negotiations that would ensue.

MAAIA co-sponsor Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA) lost his election and might want to push for last action on this or other legislative priorities. The AAA-ADA-ASHA collaborative will continue to look for opportunities to advance MAAIA and will follow up further with current sponsors for assistance. The collaborative is starting to look at a possible co-sponsor replacement for Cartwright.

Congress returns this week to debate the pending CR and begin the process of preparing for the 119th Congress. Republicans will decide who will lead in the U.S. Senate, as Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is stepping down from his post. In the running are Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Rick Scott (R-FL), and John Thune (R-SD).

Senator Cornyn’s health care interests lie in patent reform of the pharmaceutical industry and addressing the opioid crisis. If he is successful, there may be opportunities for the Academy to work with him on third-party administrator legislation.

Senator Scott has mainly focused on funding social security and Medicare, but if the opportunity for raising reimbursement rates arise, the Academy will work for audiologists to be included.

Senator Thune has focused on physician reimbursements and rural health care, which could also create possibilities for the Academy to find common ground.

The Academy will monitor and advocate for these opportunities while also focusing on other outcomes of the election such as Senate confirmation hearings for Trump appointments, the calls for restructuring the National Institutes of Health, and appropriations, particularly for the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. 

The post Update on the 2024 Election appeared first on American Academy of Audiology.

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One of our big projects this year has been to compile a “New Professionals Toolkit.” This toolkit has all the information a new audiologist would need in one place. You can find licensing information by state, information on certificate and certification programs, and opportunities for involvement. Stay tuned for the final version of our toolkit, to be presented at the SAA conference in New Orleans on March 26, 2025. It will surely be a helpful resource and time saver for our new professionals, as entering into a new career can be quite overwhelming.

In closing, enjoy your fall season and sip your pumpkin spice latte knowing that the future of our profession is in very capable hands! 

Erin Adkins, AuD
ABA Certified

The post Resources for New Professionals from ABA appeared first on American Academy of Audiology.

Leen Nahouli, AuD, in Galveston, Texas passed the PASC exam in 2024. “I was challenged and motivated to take this test after a few years of working with the pediatric population,” Leen said. “I challenged myself to go the extra mile and prove my skills within my team and profession. I have learned a lot more about the pediatric population than I thought I had.”

Sarah McAlexander, AuD, in Houston, Texas, who also passed the PASC exam in 2024, agreed. “As a pediatric audiologist and new professional, it was important to me that I seek out every opportunity to provide the best possible care for my patients and their families. Earning my certification in pediatric audiology validates the immense amount of time I have put into educating myself on current research and best practices in pediatrics, and signals to my families that I am motivated to continue to learn and grow in order to best support their child.”

Although ABA receives and reviews PASC applications year-round, we are seeing an increase in applications as more pediatric audiologists consider benchmarking their skills by sitting for the exam. If you have a colleague who you think might be a good candidate for the PASC certification, please pass this on to them.

The post Pediatric Audiology Specialty Certification (PASC) Update appeared first on American Academy of Audiology.

As the new chair of ABA, I see many opportunities ahead. In 2024, the Academy and ABA began working together to create a new board certification in vestibular audiology. This new program is underway with a Development Task Force creating the framework for this certification and an Oversight Committee to guide the implementation of the program. A proposal for a certificate in educational audiology is also under consideration.

I have been an audiologist for over 35 years, and I don’t think there has ever been a more challenging or exciting time to be an audiologist than right now. Please consider a certificate or certification from ABA, which allows you to stay up-to-date with the constant changes in audiology while demonstrating a commitment to your own professional excellence. I look forward to working with all of you. Thank you for this opportunity to lead the ABA.

Carrie Meyer, AuD
ABA Certified

The post Welcome New ABA Board Members! appeared first on American Academy of Audiology.

Zablotsky and colleagues (2024) used data from the July 2021–December 2023 National Health Interview Survey to determine the prevalence of device screen time per weekday by those ages 12–17 years. Specifically, these teens were asked, “On most weekdays, how many hours do you spend a day in front of a TV, computer, cellphone, or other electronic device watching programs, playing games, accessing the internet, or using social media?” In their calculation, they were told to exclude the time spent related to scholastic activities. About half of the respondents (50.4 percent) reported having four or more hours of daily screen time.

The percentage of teenagers who reported four or more hours of daily screen time varied significantly by age, race and Hispanic origin, parental education, and the urbanization level of their place of residence. Teens who reported spending four or more hours each day on screens were significantly more likely to report symptoms including anxiety and depression over the prior two weeks than those who spent less time on their devices.

Reference

Zablotsky B, Arockiaraj B, Haile G, Ng AE. (2024) Daily screen time among teenagers: United States, July 2021–December 2023. NCHS Data Brief 513.

The post Teenagers and Screen Time appeared first on American Academy of Audiology.

What to Expect

This dynamic educational series empowers audiology assistants with vital clinical skills, business insights, and interpersonal abilities essential for their role. Led by experienced audiologists, the track will cover essential topics including:

• Hearing aid testing and tools
• Audiometry
• Social media and marketing strategies
• Mistakes to avoid as an audiology assistant
• Managing patient care

Can’t-Miss Sessions

Best Practices and Fundamentals of Hearing Instrument Test Box Use for Audiology Assistants
Thursday, March 27, 8:15–9:15 am

Learn how audiology assistants conducting hearing instrument test box measures can streamline clinic workflows, improve patient care, and increase clinic efficiency.

Managing Patient Care: Balancing Empathy, Compassion and Sympathy in Difficult Situations
Thursday, March 27, 4:15–4:45 pm

Join us to understand how these concepts and cultural diversity can help providers manage challenging interactions and deliver more personalized care.

SEO is DEAD: Search Everywhere Optimization Powered by the Audiology Assistant
Friday, March 28, 8:00–9:00 am

This session equips audiology practices with “search everywhere optimization” strategies to strengthen their online presence across various digital platforms.

Top 10 Relationship Killers for Audiology Assistants
Friday, March 28, 9:45–10:45 am

In this course, the audiology assistant will learn about 10 simple mistakes that assistants might make that become relationship killers and how to avoid them.

Audiometry for Audiology Assistants   
Friday, March 28, 4:30–5:00 pm

In this session, learners will be provided an overview of the practical elements of completing an audiometric evaluation.

Registration Discounts to Help You Save

Audiology assistants are welcome to attend AAA on their own, but to encourage participation, audiologists are invited to bring their assistants to AAA 2025 for a discounted package rate. Leverage this unparalleled opportunity to unlock a future of excellence and growth!

Register before February 5, and save up to $275 with our professional member and audiology assistant package.

The post All-New Audiology Assistant Track at AAA 2025+HearTECH Expo appeared first on American Academy of Audiology.

Haile and colleagues reported that 34 percent of teens reported having experienced bullying. These authors found that the percentage of those who were bullied varied significantly based on a variety of demographic factors including age, sex, race and Hispanic origin, having a developmental disability, and identifying as a sexual or gender minority. The percentage of teens who reported symptoms of anxiety and depression were significantly higher in teens who reported being bullied than those who were not.

The American Academy of Audiology scope of practice (2023) supports counseling related to the social-emotional well-being status in personal, social, educational, and vocational arenas. Audiologists may be the first professionals to provide the much-needed support, empathy, and necessary referrals for teens with hearing loss who experience bullying. For those interested in learning more about bullying, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides resources.

References

American Academy of Audiology. (2023) Scope of practice. (accessed November 6, 2024).

Haile G, Arockiaraj B, Zablotsky B, Ng AE. (2024) Bullying victimization among teenagers: United States, July 2021–December 2023. NCHS Data Brief 514.

The post Victimization of Teenagers by Bullying appeared first on American Academy of Audiology.

Reference

World Health Organization. (2024) Burden of hearing loss in Africa could rise to 54 million by 2030: WHO report (accessed November 5, 2024).

The post Hearing Loss on the Rise in Africa appeared first on American Academy of Audiology.