More than 7,000 audiologists are expected to gather on April 1 to 4 at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas for AudiologyNOW!, the annual event held by the American Academy of Audiology.
In addition to numerous educational sessions, events, and technological innovations of interest to audiologists, this year’s event looks to find ways to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice for audiologists.
In keeping with the theme, "Research and Clinical Practice: Integration Through Communication," a new event titled ARC09 (Academy Research Conference): Otoacoustic Emissions: Improving Practice Through Science, will be held on April 1, the first day of AudiologyNOW! The day-long event will feature presentations from leaders in the field of otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), summarizing research on OAEs, and their impact on clinical practice. The featured presenter is the discoverer of OAEs, David Kemp, PhD, professor of auditory biophysics at the Centre for Auditory Research, the UCL Ear Institute in London.
To bridge the generations, Cam Marston, retention and generations expert, will speak at this year’s General Assembly, scheduled at 10 am on April 2, on the topic of intergenerational differences within the workplace. Marston, author of Motivating the "What’s in it for me?" Workforce: Managing Across the Generational Divide, is one of a handful of experts who has worked on conquering the generational divide in the workforce, and has spent more than a decade studying workforce dynamics. He will also lead a featured session on April 3 from 8 am to 9:30 am, focusing on understanding and serving the needs of multigenerational patient populations.
Other events at AudiologyNOW! include the Marion Downs lecture in pediatric audiology, presented at 10 am, April 3 by Richard T. Miyamoto, MD, of the Indiana University School of Medicine, whose lecture is titled, "Cochlear Implants in Infants and Children." Miyamoto’s address will also include a discussion of current developments and advances in the field of pediatric cochlear implantation.
The newly formed Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) will hold numerous events for student members at AudiologyNOW!, including a student reception on Wednesday afternoon and their first annual business meeting on Thursday. The SAA Fair, designated Student Track sessions, as well as hands-on labs for student members, will be held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
The DiscovEARy Zone!, a free, interactive and educational experience about hearing loss and the human ear for kids of all ages, returns to AudiologyNOW! and will be hosted at a Dallas-area elementary school. The DiscovEARy Zone will feature an interactive computer kiosk, a giant graphic display of the anatomy of the ear, hands-on tables, and a quiet area where kids can have their hearing checked by an audiologist.
Audiology Solutions features more than 200 exhibitors and more than 300,000 square feet of cutting-edge hearing technology, audiological products and services, including assistive listening/altering and signaling devices, audiometers, bone conduction devices, components, diagnostic instruments, earmold/impression material, hearing aid accessories, hearing aid maintenance/repair, hearing protection, implantable devices, infant hearing screening equipment, laboratory equipment, OAE test equipment, publications, real ear systems, tinnitus devices, vestibular test equipment, vibrotactile devices, video otoscopes, and wireless.
AudiologyNOW!, the annual event of, by, and for audiologists, will also be comprised of exciting learning modules and labs, featured sessions, and exhibitor courses. Numerous clinical and research poster presentations and research podium sessions will be held, covering topics in six learning cores-Diagnostics in Hearing & Balance, Hearing & Balance Sciences, Hearing Loss Prevention, Professional Issues & Practice Management, Treatment: Sensory Aids, and Rehabilitation.
The American Academy of Audiology is the world’s largest professional organization of, by, and for audiologists. With an active membership of nearly 11,000 audiologists, the Academy promotes quality hearing and balance care by advancing the profession of audiology through leadership, advocacy, education, public awareness, and support of research.
