Audiology: the Editorial Journeyby Dr. James Jerger

$15 With coupon, while supplies last. Only valid Friday, April 20, at the

Academy Store.

FRIDAY | APRIL 20

DAILY NEWSNASHVILLE , TENNESSEE AAAConference.org

DEAL

DAILY

CONT

ENTS The Academy Enterprise ........................... 3

Songs for Sound ............................................ 3

A Challenge to Academy Members ...... 4

hearScreen USA App ................................... 5

Attendee Spotlight ....................................... 6

Word on the Street........................................7

Specialty Meeting .........................................8

A New Professional’s Lessons Learned .............................................................. 9

Photo Gallery .......................................... 10-11

A Nod to the Past 30 Years, and a Look to the FutureT he 30th anniversary of the founding of

the American Academy of Audiology as well as the future of audiology

took center stage at the General Assembly yesterday.

After a stirring rendition of the Star Bangled Banner by the Academy chorus, a commemo-rative video depicting the Academy’s past 30 years and public awareness initiatives then and now, was received warmly by the audience.

Academy president Jackie Clark, PhD, then introduced Nashville’s Vice Mayor Sheri Weiner, AuD, an audiologist who is owner of Hearing Services of Tennessee. Weiner wel-comed the 5,500 attendees to Nashville by saying she never thought her “part-time job would merge with her full-time job.”

Following with the 30th year milestone theme, Fred Bess, the program chair for the first annual conference in 1989, and Eileen Rall, AuD, the 2018 program chair, took cen-ter stage. Rall thanked Bess and the Academy founders. “Because of gatherings that you started, we are prepared to be the innovators, caregivers and leaders in hearing and balance healthcare for the next 30 years and beyond,” Rall said.

Bess acknowledged Dr. James Jerger, “a visionary founder of the American Academy

of Audiology,” who turns 90 today.Clark’s remarks addressed the changes

audiology is facing today, not only with emerging technology, but changing cul-ture within the profession. “Changes within our Academy (that is you, me, and us) have evolved tremendously since being founded in 1988. As a profession, we will continue to evolve, grow and flourish as long as we remember [that] we are not defined by our past nor will our future look like our past unless we allow it.”

Academy president-elect Lisa Christensen, AuD, followed Clark’s remarks. Christensen harkened back to her acceptance remarks from last year. “We all know that gasoline will ignite and keep a fire going while water will put out the fire. As we move into the future of audiology, let us all come together now and begin to use the gasoline to fuel and ignite things that are positive, collaborative, and promote the profession of audiology and this Academy.”

Closing the general session, keynote speaker Jeff Goldsmith, PhD, the nation’s premier health-care futurist, linked how the nation’s volatile medical environment directly will affect audiology. He listed “natural homes” for audiology, including primary care systems or community health centers, among

several other possible affiliations.Thank you to Amplifon for supporting the

General Assembly.What are you planning to attend today?

Don’t miss the Marion Downs Lecture in Pediatric Audiology: 30 Million Words—A Public Health Approach to Early Childhood Education by Dana Suskind, MD, in the Davidson Ballroom B. Also, stop by Coffee for a Cause just outside the lecture hall, to support the AAA Foundation. Thanks to the Oticon Foundation for its support of these events.

There also will be other featured sessions on Friday featuring regeneration and repair, and whether the future of audiology is retail or medical. Also consider the grand rounds on implantable devices and pediatrics.

You won’t want to miss the Novel Technologies from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm in the AAA Theater in the exhibit hall. Demonstrations will be provided by Audigy Group, Oticon, Signia, Sprint CapTel, and ZPower.

There are many offerings for students on Friday. Among them workshops on certifica-tion; what type of AuD do you want to be; innovate on empathy; and a team trivia game to prepare for the AuD exam. Other stu-dent-oriented activities include the Student

Research Forum, with philanthropic support by Plural Publishing; Student Externship Panel; the SAA Expo Hall Scavenger Hunt.

Speaking of the exhibit hall, please stop by the State Fair, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm in the attendee lounge, sponsored by Sprint CapTel. Learn more about becoming involved in your state’s audiology community.

As a reminder, Friday is the last day for the exhibit hall, it closes at 3:00 pm, so please try to get to those exhibitors with whom you yet haven’t visited.

At the end of a long but terrific day of learn-ing, those who bought tickets can unwind at the sold-out Night Out in Nashville at the WildHorse Saloon! Get your boot-scooting boogie on! Thanks to Amplifon for its support of this event.

Remember to record your CEUs at CEU Manager. It is fast and easy…just scan the QR code on your badge. Enter the session titles or codes and refer to your CEU Worksheet to enter the pass code for each session. Complete an evaluation for each session and the overall assessment of learner outcomes. Once you entered all of your AAA 2018 ses-sions, print your transcript on-site!

011518

Connect your patients with life-changing solutions

HamiltonCapTel.com

Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) is regulated and funded by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and is designed exclusively for individuals with hearing loss. To learn more, visit www.fcc.gov. Copyright © 2018 Hamilton Relay. All rights reserved. Hamilton is a registered trademark of Nedelco, Inc. d/b/a Hamilton Telecommunications. CapTel is a registered trademark of Ultratec, Inc. • Hamilton CapTel may be used to make 911 calls, but may not function the same as traditional 911 services. For more information about the benefi ts and limitations of Hamilton CapTel and Emergency 911 calling, visit: HamiltonCapTel.com/911

Third party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Voice and data plans may be required when using Hamilton CapTel on a smartphone or tablet.

When a traditional telephone experience just isn’t right for your patients, Hamilton® CapTel® for Web/

iOS/Android™ can be a life-changing recommendation. Redesigned from the ground up, simplifi ed and

streamlined – it’s never been easier for your patients to place and receive captioned telephone calls

from their smartphone, tablet or computer.

Connecting your patients with Hamilton CapTel for Web/iOS/Android™ ensures your patients are

connecting with family, friends and you! For more information about the Hamilton CapTel Hearing

Healthcare Program and all of the available life-changing solutions, visit: HamiltonCapTel.com/hhc.

See why everyone’s talking about Hamilton CapTel for Web/iOS/Android!

Join us at AAA 2018, Booth #327

3FRIDAY | April 20 DAILY NEWS

STAF

FEDITORIALAmy Miedema, CAE Executive Editor

Suzanne Chanesman Senior Graphic Designer

Ed Dalere Senior Manager of Communications and Publications

Amber Werner Marketing Manager

Kevin WillmannEditorial Assistant

Marco BovoWeb Manager

Samantha LelandNetwork Media Partners, Advertising Sales

Photography by Event Coverage Nashville

11480 Commerce Park Drive, Suite 220 Reston, VA 20191 www.audiology.org

© Copyright 2018 by the American Academy of Audiology. All rights reserved.

The Academy Enterprise:Together, WE Are Expanding Our Reach, Increasing EngagementBy Jackie Clark, PhD, President

T he Academy Enterprise represents dynamic synergy with five partners: The American Academy of Audiology

(member support services for audiolo-gists); the American Academy of Audiology Foundation (AAAF) (philanthropy); the Student Academy of Audiology (direct con-nection between students and their future professional home and discipline); the American Board of Audiology (ABA) (vol-untary certification); and the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) (AuD program accreditation). Collectively, the partners advance audiology through leader-ship, advocacy, education, public awareness, and the support of research.

In July 2017, the Academy Board of Directors approved a new organizational structure that not only increases membership involvement, but also integrates the partners across the Enterprise and aligns the work of the orga-nization. This new structure includes a new layer in the governance of the organization through six councils: Leadership, Academic

& Professional Standards, Professional Development, Scientific Advisory & Research, Advocacy, and Outreach. The many commit-tees and task forces that do much of the work of the organization report to the councils or, in some instances, directly to the Academy Board of Directors. A model of the councils and committees is available to provide further detail on how they function within the gover-nance structure. See www.audiology.org and search keyword “committees.”

Though the Academy Board’s role is stra-tegic leadership, oversight of governance and visioning, there is synchrony integral between the board, committees and councils within our organizational structure. Councils are tasked with executing the strategic direc-tion of the Academy Board. As such, they provide a pivotal role as liaison between the committees and the Academy Board. It is within the council that ideas may arise from the various committees and potentially evolve into new initiatives for board consideration. Similarly, it is within the council where tactical

discussions can translate into action within committees and task forces.

Each council comprises three members at large, all leaders in the field invited by the board to serve, and the committee chairs that fall within a council. The Board selects member volunteers for committee and task force leadership, as well as for member appointments. The organization offers abun-dant opportunities for volunteers from our membership; today, we have more than 350 volunteers actively engaged.

The Academy instituted a new volunteer management system to expand the process of engaging members in sharing their skills and expertise in volunteer opportunities within our Academy. It’s a simple process to sign up for the volunteer pool from which the Board can make appointments. We encourage mem-bers to check out volunteer opportunities and to get engaged at www.audiology.org/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities.

Outside Music City Center. Friday, April 2012:00–4:00 pmOpen to the Public.

The Academy is proud to partner with Songs for Sound, a 501c3 charity founded on a heartwarming story and a passionate objective—to bridge the gap between “I think I have hearing loss” and quality hearing health care, while increasing inclusion and opportunities for those with hearing loss and deafness. During AAA 2018, Songs for Sound will host a mobile hearing screening unit outside of Music City Center.Together, we will share consumer-friendly information and resources about adult and pediatric hearing loss and how to locate an audiologist. Several Academy members will also be volunteers in the mobile unit, conducting hearing screenings, answering questions, and passing out information. We encourage you to stop by and check it out and to pass along this information to anyone you may know in the Nashville area.

SCREENING

MOBILEHEARING

4

DAILY NEWS FRIDAY | April 20

Together WE Can Do So MuchBy Sarah Sydlowski, AuD, PhD, Academy Board of Directors

F ollowing is an excerpt of a call to action that appears in the Academy News section of the American Academy of

Audiology website. To read the full article, which briefly recounts the history of why the Academy was conceptualized and formed 30 years ago, go to www.audiology.org/news/together-we-can-do-so-much-challenge-all-academy-members.

…Today, many Academy members may lack appreciation of the continued importance of their role in advancing the profession. The annual membership meeting each year is held in a relatively empty, echoing meet-ing room, typically with a few dozen former board members and committee chairs scat-tered throughout. The turnout to influence Academy leadership is a far cry from the end-less stream of audiologists that had packed the first meeting room and drove the devel-opment of AAA. Dues are paid and members expect that their monetary contribution is enough for the organization to take up arms and defeat any challenges that come along.

But this expectation assumes that the organization is less than what it is. What the founders of this organization built was not a building, or a staff, or even the leadership. The true strength and composition of the Academy is the membership. By definition, an academy is “a society of learned persons organized to advance art, science, or litera-ture.” A society, in turn, is “an organized group working together…because of common inter-ests, beliefs, or profession.” It follows then, that by definition, the American Academy of Audiology IS the membership. The tagline in current Academy publications is very literally correct: YOU are audiology. WE are audiology.

…The 34-person AAA staff and more than 200 volunteers work together to move the profession in a forward trajectory. While their efforts are valuable beyond measure, it is important to realize that this number of volunteers makes up just 1.95 percent of the membership. Imagine the impact if all of the membership worked together toward the same common purpose. Vince Lombardi observed, “Individual commitment to a group

effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” And individual commitment to action is what will make the American Academy of Audiology and the profession of audiology work….

Considering the challenges that audiolo-gists face, perhaps 30 years is long enough, and audiology is again in need of a venue, a forum, a call to action, to evaluate our current status, to imagine the future, and to cultivate change. Our opportunity is here at AAA 2018. This year will not be business as usual. This year is a call to action and a request for a com-mitment from the membership to stand with AAA, not only philosophically, not only by pay-ing membership dues, but by dedicating time, talent, and yes, monetary resources, to a col-lective cause.

The Academy’s current strategic priorities are to deliver purposeful education; provide member value and engagement; advocate for the audiologist, and promote recognition of the Audiology Enterprise (see related article by AAA President Jackie Clark, PhD, p. 5).

Over the course of the past two years, Academy staff and leadership have introduced a new organizational structure including an Outreach Council comprising committees focused on public awareness, public rela-tions, communications, and outreach to other health-care providers and industry. A public relations consultant, Vicki Bendure, has been retained and has identified opportunities for media involvement. Over the next few months, you will see AAA’s influence in sev-eral key national resources. In all venues, the Academy is promoting the message “Get Your Hearing Checked” and encourages all mem-bers to work in their local communities to do the same. The Academy has launched and will continue to develop numerous resources that can be utilized by members for this purpose. No effort by membership, however small, will be without impact if everyone is contributing.

At the AAA Annual Conference and beyond, there are many opportunities to learn how you can contribute to this public awareness initia-tive including the following: � Mini Media Training Session offered in the

exhibit hall on April 20, 1:30–2:30 pm.

� hearScreen USA screening and referral app—Sign up on-site to participate in this revolutionary, consumer-friendly hearing screening app and audiologist directory. Located at Academy Central.

� Voices of Hearing Wellness: Stories of Patient Success—Make a donation of $30 or more to the AAA Foundation and receive this commemorative book. Available at Academy Central.

Online resources, available at www.audiology.org:

� Members-Only Public Relations Tool Kit

� Public Relations Hotline

� Press Release Templates

� Customizable Fact Sheets on More than 23 Topics

� Audiologist’s Guide to Hearing Aids, PSAPs, and OTC Devices

� Guide to Adult Hearing Health Care

� May Is Better Hearing Month

The Academy is here for you. The Public Awareness Committee, Public Relations Committee, and the Outreach Council are valuable resources comprised of your col-leagues. Let us know your challenges and accomplishments so we can help you navi-gate those efforts for the best results and share your victories. Contact us at www.audi-ology.org/about-us/volunteer-opportunities/committees-task-forces.

Audiology is in the press and we can do more (see www.audiology.org/public-aware-ness/press-coverage-audiology). Don’t miss the recaps we e-mail to you and publish on the Academy website. We also want to hear about your efforts, so please contact Amber Werner at awerner@audiology.org.

A Challenge to All Academy Members

Captioned Telephone Service:How Best to Serve You

Sprint CapTel invites you to a special focus group session at AAA 2018.

Friday, April 203:00–4:00 pm Omni Hotel–Music Row 5 (Level 2)

Captioned Tele-phones—Let’s Deter-mine the Best Way to Support Your Practice

This session on Sprint’s Captioned Telephone program is meant for audiologists like yourself. Sprint CapTel wants to hear from YOU to learn more on how to best serve you.

For more information, contact Jim Skjeveland of Sprint CapTel at 410-953-7418.

5FRIDAY | April 20 DAILY NEWS

GoodQuestion!?

We are Listening Our customers have always been active participants

and collaborators by providing important feedback on product development, improvements, and training needs. We believe that

open communication with our customers has helped establish GSI as the leader in hearing healthcare diagnostics. It is this feedback

that fuels GSI, as it moves forward with new innovations and enhancements.

Join the ConversationWe invite you to join the conversation. This year at

AAA, we want to hear from you! Step up to the mic and record your good question at our booth. A GSI expert will be

ready to answer your question. As a thank you, you will receive a gift for your participation!

Booth #933

Sign Up at AAA 2018 for the hearScreen USA Hearing Screening and Referral App

T he American Academy of Audiology is working with HearX Group to launch this innovative hearing screening

app this summer. The mobile application, hearScreen USA, available on most smart phones, will be revealed and showcased at AAA 2018. Sign up as a participating audiolo-gist with hearScreen USA here in Nashville and receive the following:

� Free basic listing for AAA members

� 50 percent off premium subscription for AAA members

� Referrals to your practice

� Referrals on secure cloud portal

hearScreen USA was created in collabo-ration with hearXGroup of South Africa, and is the first U.S. mobile comprehensive hear-ing screening application. The hearXGroup is a technology start-up that aims to pro-vide affordable access to hearing care using

connected solutions that are available to everyone, from any location.

The hearScreen USA app can accurately deliver a hearing screening over a smart phone. The app will then direct those who show hearing loss to audiologists in their area. The app is free for consumers, while audiologists subscribe to the service.

“Many people don’t realize that they’re suf-fering with hearing loss, and others cannot take time from their busy schedules to find an audiologist. hearScreen USA will make hearing screens and the ease of connecting to licensed audiologists readily available to everyone,” American Academy of Audiology president Jackie Clark, PhD, said.

How It WorksBased on technology developed by the University of Pretoria, South Africa, hearScreen USA provides accurate detec-tion of hearing loss in under three minutes. By using the free app (available in iOS and Android), consumers can test their hear-ing through screening (using headphones or

earbuds) and receive an accurate detection of hearing loss.

The screening analyzes the person’s abil-ity to perceive speech-in-noise. Based on the person’s response, the app automatically gen-erates a hearing score that indicates whether there may be a possible hearing loss. If the person fails, the app refers the user to their closest audiologist (who is registered in the system) using geolocation. Users also have the option to make an online appointment.

Supporting FactsAccording to a 2016 study by the National Institutes of Health NIDCD, about 15 per-cent (37.5 million) of American adults age 20 to 69 have some trouble with hearing and about 28.8 million can benefit from the use of hearing aids. As the baby boomer popula-tion ages, more Americans are forced to face hearing health challenges. Growing numbers of younger Americans (including millennials and Gen Xers) also report hearing problems.

While age is still the greatest factor in hear-ing loss, younger people experience hearing

problems because of multiple factors includ-ing birth defects, illness, exposure to loud music and noises including occupational noise.

The hearScreen USA app leverages the cur-rent use of smart phone users, estimated by Statista at 224.3 million in 2017.

The Academy is offering this free listing in the app or a discounted subscription for an upgraded listing as a member benefit. Take advantage of this unique public awareness opportunity to get your practice out there to consumers in need of quality hearing care.

Visit www.hearScreenUSA.com for more information.

6

DAILY NEWS FRIDAY | April 20

Attendee Spotlight

What prompted you to attend this year? I missed the past two years so I am excited to return to hear what is on the horizon for our profession. I also love Nashville and will take any opportunity to visit.

What aspect of the meeting are you looking forward to most? Seeing friends and meeting new people. Networking can be as valuable as the courses.

What sessions do you plan on attending? Why? I am looking forward to the Great Debate and Hearing Aids in Review. I am looking forward to an update on our profession!

Mindy K. Brudereck, AuDBirdsboro, Pennsylvania

What prompted you to attend this year?I am attending AAA 2018 because I believe it’s the most important conference an audiology student can attend. It presents endless opportunities for learning, networking, and reconnecting with friends.

What aspect of the meeting are you looking forward to most?I’m looking forward to connecting with other students/profes-sionals and gaining experience as a presenter. I am fortunate to be part of several oral and poster presentations this year.

What sessions do you plan on attending? Why?I plan to attend session to help improve my advocacy skills and awareness. There are a number of significant issues on the horizon for the profession and I want to ensure I’m as pre-pared as possible to do my part.

Alexander Morris, StudentDallas, Texas

What prompted you to attend this year?This year will be my first opportunity to attend AAA as a new professional. I graduated in 2016 and I’m excited to attend and experience AAA through the lens of a professional as opposed to a student.

What aspect of the meeting are you looking forward to most?I’m looking forward to networking opportunities and seeing old classmates, especially my classmate from Saudi Arabia. She’s the one who really encouraged me to go to AAA this year since she will be attending as well.

What sessions do you plan on attending? Why?I plan on attending sessions geared toward vestibular and adult hearing aid topics. I am a vestibular audiologist and I look forward to learning about up-and-coming research in the vestibular world to better serve my patients.

Briana Burgan, AuDEdina, Minnesota

What prompted you to attend this year? The fact that it is in Nashville, and that I have not been able to attend for several years due to our growing family.

What aspect of the meeting are you looking forward to most?The Marion Downs lecture, ReSound’s course on TeleHealth, a couple of sessions on APD, networking.

What sessions do you plan on attending? Why?See above. These are my primary interests. Also, tinnitus management. If there is something on musician’s hearing con-servation, I will want to attend that as well.

Vicki M. Anderson, AuDMaple Grove, Minnesota

What prompted you to attend this year? I always attend! I love this conference and look forward to it every year!

What aspect of the meeting are you looking forward to most? Meeting up with old friends and seeing what is new in the world of audiology are main attractions for me.

What sessions do you plan on attending? Why? Pediatric audiology and educational audiology are my favor-ite topics. The Marion Downs Lecture on Friday morning is a “must see”!

Carol Flexer, PhDAkron, Ohio

What prompted you to attend this year?I am getting the opportunity to present a student research poster, which will help me further develop critical thinking and public speaking skills.

What aspect of the meeting are you looking forward to most?I am very excited to be immersed in the field of audiology from meeting professionals to attending sessions.

What sessions do you plan on attending? Why?Since this is my first time attending this conference, I will be attending as many sessions as I can fit into my schedule! I am looking forward to attending grand rounds, research sessions, and the General Assembly. Grand rounds are great opportuni-ties to learn. I am a student research assistant now and I want to know research that other professionals are conducting to expand my research knowledge.

Abby Sears, StudentLubbock, Texas

7FRIDAY | April 20 DAILY NEWS

Safely and gently removes excessive ear wax with microfoam action

Easy for patientsto use at home

1#Doctor & Pharmacist

RECOMMENDED

To order samples foryour office, visit

Debrox.com/Professionals* pH differs from USP specifications

EARWAX Removal Aid

FOR EXCESSIVE EAR WAX BUILD UP...

Carbamide Peroxide 6.5% Non USP*

comingSummer

2018

WORDSTREET

ON THE

Which Type of Educational Event Best Suits You?

What’s Keeps You Going Between Educational Sessions?

Candy

Power Bar

Baked Good

Water

Fresh Air

Fruit

Ca�eine Drink

1 Hour Long

Online Course

Full Day

Half Day

8

DAILY NEWS FRIDAY | April 20

SPOT DIFFERENCESTHE

Can you find the 7 differences in these two pictures? ANSWERS ARE ON PAGE 11.

Editorial credit: jiawangkun / Shutterstock.com

It Doesn’t Get Any Better…Learning In Paradise!By Paul Pessis, AuD, Specialty Meeting 2019, Chair

T he American Academy of Audiology (AAA) is pleased to announce that planning for the third annual Practice

Management Specialty Conference is under-way. The conference will be January 10–12, 2019, in a beautiful, lush, tropical setting under undulating palm trees. If you haven’t guessed already, this learning experience will convene on the Big Island of Hawaii in Waikoloa!

Although AAA hosts the world’s largest and most comprehensive learning experience at its national conference, the specialty meet-ing is designed to provide attendees with an in-depth discussion of practice management that can’t be achieved at the annual gather-ing. Featured presentations will include hot scope-of-practice topics and their impact on the business of audiology. The interactive format promises to address everything from managing daily operations to preparing for the future.

The consummate professional is a master of “today,” but needs to be a leader of “tomor-row.” Excelling at practice management skills is not unique to business owners; it is the responsibility of all practitioners regard-less of practice setting or the position held within a facility. Past attendees from previous Practice Management Specialty Conferences underscore that the information shared by the expert panel of speakers is complemented significantly by the information gleaned from

engaging fellow conference participants who share common problems and solutions.

In addition to me as the Specialty Conference chair, the planning committee includes Richard Roberts, PhD; Bettie Borton, AuD; Ryan Bullock, AuD; and Kayce Bramble, AuD. This diverse composition of practicing audiologists represents the broad spectrum that comprises our profession and will create a thought-provoking syllabus that will leave the attendee with strategies and a “to-do” list for making your facility the “best in class.”

Watch for future announcements about this meeting that will highlight topics on the schedule and identify subject matter experts. There also will be an outstanding concurrent meeting for office managers, and billing and/or coding personnel who will be updated with current legislative mandates to keep a facility compliant and on every other aspect of running an audiology business. This track has been offered at prior conferences; the reviews have identified this as an invaluable must-attend opportunity.

Registration opens in July. So, get out your sandals and sunglasses and start preparing for an educational getaway that will erase your winter blues as you learn how to enhance the performance of your practice/facility. The sound in your ears will not be tinnitus; it is the calming sound of the ocean or the humpback whale! This meeting is sponsored in part by Sprint CapTel.

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SPECIALTY MEETING

Riding the Waves to SuccessJanuary 10-12, 2019 | Waikoloa, Hawaii

REGISTRATION OPENS JULY 2018!

SA

VE

TH

E D

AT

E

9FRIDAY | April 20 DAILY NEWS

Top Five Lessons Learned in My First Year as a New ProfessionalBy Bridget Shanahan, AuD

N urturing new professionals in the audiology community is an impor-tant pillar of the American Academy

of Audiology. From supporting the New Professionals Committee to creating the first New Professionals in Audiology Conference this year at AAA 2018, the Academy realizes we are cultivating the association’s and the industry’s leaders of tomorrow.

One of the ways we encourage participation and leadership today by new professionals is to ask them to share their experiences. Following is an article written by a new pro-fessional advising those who are about to graduate into the profession. This article will also appear in the May/June 2018 issue of Audiology Today.

I’ve wanted to be an audiologist since I was a kid. I recall an art project in elementary school to draw a picture of what you wanted to be when you grow up. My classmates were drawing themselves as ballerinas in tutus and as movie stars living in Hollywood; I drew myself in a white coat with otoscope in hand.

Last year at graduation, I felt overwhelmed and excited to finally consider myself a prac-ticing audiologist. Now, one year later, I wanted to share the top-five lessons learned in my first year as a new professional with new graduates who will be transitioning from student to clinician.

1. Find a Role That Supports Your PassionI work as an educational audiologist in a

very large school district. I’m beyond thrilled to work with a supportive team of audiolo-gists who enhance my passion for pediatrics and push for the best opportunities for our patients. It’s rather easy to find any job in audiology, but it’s vitally important to find a position that supports your skills, encour-ages growth, and fosters a positive learning environment.

2. Tracking Continuing Education CreditsManaging my newly earned continuing educa-tion credits has been rather daunting. I was uncertain what information was needed for licensure and certification requirements. The Academy has a CEU registry that stores a record of completed education courses and certifications (www.audiology.org/profes-sional -development /continuing-education/ce-registry). Academy members can access their CEU registry for free by logging into their profile. For those who are not members, the CEU registry costs only $60 annually. This has

been a great resource for tracking my credits and the transcript can be submitted for state licensure.

3. Perfect Your Counseling SkillsIn my clinic, we regularly identify a late onset hearing loss in children or evaluate known hearing loss where families did not follow through on previous amplification recommen-dations. I have found myself changing my

counseling style many times over the past few months to better emphasize and convey the educational impact of untreated hearing loss.

I will have in-depth discussions with my co-workers and observe their counseling style during appointments to enhance further my techniques and strategies. It has been a differ-ent approach in comparison to the externship year, as I want to maintain best practice stan-dards and offer the best service I can to every family. The Academy is a great resource and offers many counseling tools, such as an audiogram of familiar sounds, hearing aid sat-isfaction surveys, and ear anatomy posters (www.audiology.org/publications-resources/brochures).

In the past few months, I’ve provided parents with many resources and handouts regarding their child’s hearing loss and its educational impact. I also have been able to provide families with tools they need to follow through with successful use of amplification.

4. Use Your ResourcesNowadays, families rely on the Google search engine more than their own hearing special-ists. I’ve found myself telling patients, “if you are going to Google this hearing loss, please use these websites.”

I frequently reach out to organizations such as Hands & Voices, A.G. Bell, State Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program, nearby audiology and speech-ther-apy clinics, and parents who formed support groups to learn about programs and upcoming events. I enjoy acting as liaison for my patients to the hearing-impaired community. I encour-age new professionals to reach out to local and national organizations and learn about available programs, so that these resources can be passed on to patients.

5. Be Active in Our Professional CommunityThis has been my most valuable lesson. In the past year, I’ve come across unique and inter-esting patient cases that needed an outside opinion or referral from other profession-als. I’ve talked with colleagues about office management and gained new insight and per-spectives. I’ve asked for career advice from experienced audiologists and was grateful for their tips and suggestions.

We audiologists are all on the same team, regardless of where we work. I recommend that new professionals join audiology organi-zations, attend state or national conferences, or participate in community discussions or Facebook groups. Of course, please remem-ber to be cognizant of the need to maintain patient privacy and follow HIPAA regulations when soliciting feedback.

Network with professionals in your state or across the country to build your own profes-sional connections. So far, many of my best memories are collaborating with other audi-ologists at the national level. Get involved and stay involved.

“There is no passion to be found playing small—in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable

of living.” – Nelson Mandela

PARTICIPATE IN

Clinical Education Forum: Readying Students for Clinical Practice

Saturday, April 218:00 am-12:00 pm202ABC

HOSTED BY ACAE AND CAPCSD

10

DAILY NEWS FRIDAY | April 20

11FRIDAY | April 20 DAILY NEWS

� Glasses removed from TomKats mural on building

� Baseball hat replaces cowboy hat

� Country guy in the foreground

� Sneaker replaces cowboy boot

� Building removed from background

� Graphic artist added to building top

� Time on clock changed

SPOTDIFFERENCES

THE

ANSWERS

CapTel callers are responsible for their own long distance call charges. CapTel is intended for use by people with hearing loss. Free Hearing Health Kit Offer: Available to any certified audiologist or hearing health provider. Req. registration and completion of brief training for CapTel phone. While supplies last. Other restrictions apply. Sprint reserves the right to modify, extend or cancel offers at any time. See sprintcaptel.com for details. © 2018 Sprint. Sprint and the logo are trademarks of Sprint. CapTel is a registered trademark of Ultratec, Inc. Other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Get your kit professionals.sprintcaptel.com • 877-805-5845

Models include:

Traditional • Modern • Low-vision • Non-internet

Reconnect more of your patients with life. Offering your patients a no-cost Sprint CapTel phone

helps them stay socially engaged and active. With four phone options, you have a solution for

every patient. We handle all the details, and our Hearing Health Care Kit makes it easy.

Phones to fit every patient. Your kit includes everything you need, and your patients get their choice of phones!

We make it easy. Registration requried.)

Connect more patients, and grow your practice.

Technology partners: