ASHA Convention to Highlight Evidence Based Practices
Washington, DC—Celebrating its fifth year is the American Speech Language Hearing Association’s (ASHA) “Audiology at ASHA” Program being held November 17-20 at the San Diego Convention Center. This year’s theme, “Using Evidence to Support Clinical Practice,” will highlight the best research and clinical expertise in all areas of diagnosis and treatment, says Co-Convention Chair Brenda Ryals, PhD.

Since 2001—when Fred Bess, PhD, introduced the popular “Audiology at ASHA” format—the event has offered a convention within a convention for audiologists and hearing scientists. New at the convention this year are the Rise and Shine Sessions, which are early morning programs geared toward the “morning” people. These sessions begin at 7:30 am and are open to all registered attendees. Posters will also be on display from 7:30 am–4 pm daily. The program guide provides times for when presenters will be available to discuss their posters. The keynote speaker at this year’s convention is women and children’s rights activist, Mavis Leno, wife of “The Tonight Show” host, Jay Leno.

“The 2005 Speech-Language Pathology Program Committee’s topic coordinators are an exceptional group of professionals who have been charged with developing program sessions that address this year’s theme at all instructional levels, from introductory to intermediate to advanced,” says Co-Convention Chair Brian B. Shulman, PhD. “The ASHA 2005 Convention will enrich your professional development and expand your knowledge base for addressing the ever-changing face of our discipline and the ever-changing diversity of the individuals we serve.”

Attendees can earn up to 2.4 ASHA continuing education units (CEUs) for attending short courses, seminars, instructional courses, audiology keynotes, poster sessions, and technical sessions. CEUs are not awarded for attending committee and board meetings, exhibits, special events, or social activities. Likewise, audiologists can earn up to 2.4 American Academy of Audiology CEUs. Detailed information on earning ASHA CEUs or AAA CEUs will be available at the San Diego Convention Center.

“It is an opportunity to hear about the very best scientific and clinical research within the context of a smaller meeting focused on hearing and balance, while still having the chance to learn about the larger issues in all areas of communication disorders,” Ryals says.

For more information on attending the ASHA Convention, visit www.asha.org  or contact ASHA headquarters at (800) 638-8255.