The American Academy of Audiology Foundation announced the establishment of a new audiology student scholarship program to award $10,000 to three students annually who are interested in a career providing services to children with hearing loss as a career. Financed by a generous donation from Jerry Northern, the awardees will also receive a $500 travel grant to attend the annual convention of the American Academy of Audiology. 

The Jerry Northern Scholarship in Pediatric Audiology will be awarded to full-time graduate students enrolled in an audiology (AuD, PhD, AuD/PhD) program and in good standing at a US university during the 2019–2020 academic year. Applicants must be in at least their second academic year in the graduate program and have completed at least one course in pediatric audiology.  Applications for 2019–2020 (and AAA 2020) are due January 15, 2020 at midnight ET. The process involves: 1) Filling out a short application, 2) Submitting a resume/CV, 3) Two letters of recommendation from faculty and a clinical preceptor (at least one letter from someone familiar with student’s clinical acumen in pediatrics), and 4) A personal statement. A committee of audiologists will review application materials, and award notification will be made by February 15, 2020. Any questions can be directed to Allyson Tanner, Foundation Coordinator, at 703-226-1049 ([email protected]).

Dr Northern is internationally known for his long career of advocacy for children with hearing impairment. Working at the University of Colorado Medical Center alongside the legendary Marion Downs, together they published six editions of the classic textbook used by audiologists around the world, Hearing in Children, between 1974 and 2014.  

When asked about his rationale for establishing the pediatric audiology scholarship program, Dr Northern proudly cites his family background of five generations being involved in education of the deaf, beginning with his paternal grandparents who met and married at Gallaudet University in 1902.  

Northern says, “I am so pleased to have this opportunity to financially support pediatric audiology-oriented students.  Pediatric audiologists are the only professionals who can provide our special hearing services to hearing impaired children. Audiology literally owns this area of expertise and we must do everything possible to help these children reach their maximum potentials in life. ”

Source: AAA Foundation, Jerry Northern

Image: AAA Foundation