Some Experts Say the OTC Consensus Statement a Rubber Stamp for the Status Quo
Independent scientific research and unbiased, transparent opinion plays a critical role in any credible profession. It is the application of the scientific method in the problem-solving process and the endless striving to understand the truth, that separates, say, the practice of modern medicine from alchemy. At the same time, it is easy to find recent…
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Is AAA Thwarting Efforts for Audiologists to Obtain Professional Autonomy, as Some Claim?
The American Academy of Audiology (AAA) is, by far, the largest professional organization in Audiology, but the much smaller Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) is gaining members at a record pace. According to ADA, the group has gained more than 120 new members this year. A probable cause of this sudden growth in ADA…
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Phonak Announces Launch of Accredited Family-Centered Care Program
Phonak announced the launch of a newly accredited eLearning program for hearing professionals this week on Family-Centered Care (FCC). The FCC approach to hearing healthcare is one that recognizes the essential role the family plays in the overall treatment process. Research has suggested that having a family member in the room results in improved consumer…
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New UK Report Provides Comprehensive Clinical Guidelines for Adults Suspected of Hearing Loss
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), a multi-disciplinary committee associated with the United Kingdom’s National Healthcare System, provides evidence-based guidance and advice to improve health care. A primary goal of NICE is to provide all stakeholders, including clinicians and the public with guidance on high quality, cost-effective care options. Last week, NICE…
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The Big Shift in Patient Counseling That’s Happening Right Before Our Eyes
Audiologists often place patient counseling into two categories: 1.) Informational counseling, which primarily focuses on educating patients and their families about test results, the consequences of untreated hearing loss and the role of hearing aids for treating it. 2.) Personal adjustment counseling, which describes how audiologists help patients deal with the emotional and social impact…
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Legislation Introduced to Improve Access to Hearing Health Care Services
WASHINGTON, DC — United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) today introduced the Audiology Patient Choice Act, a bipartisan bill that ensures seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare have access to a full range of hearing and balance health care services provided by licensed audiologists. A June 2016 report by the…
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OTOjOY Founder Appointed to IEC Hearing Loop Working Group
The International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) announced on March 13 that it has appointed Thomas Kaufmann, Founder and CEO of OTOjOY, to serve as a subject matter expert in working group on hearing loop systems. The committee, now comprised of 9 members, develops and publishes international performance and testing standards related to hearing aids, audiometric equipment,…
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CDC Report Highlights Hearing Loss as Growing Public Health Concern
Most clinical audiologists are directly involved in the identification and management of hearing loss. It is, after all, common practice for audiologists to complete a case history and basic assessment to determine if the individual has a medical condition requiring a medical referral. Those individuals that do not have a “red flag” medical condition involving…
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Audiology Ranked Among Top Least Stressful Jobs for 2018
Audiology continues to find itself ranking among the “Least Stressful” jobs for another year. Audiology moved up one spot, to be listed as the 3rd least stressful job in 2018. Out of more than 200 jobs, CareerCast.com ranks audiology with a job stress score of 7.22, out of a scale of 1 to 85–just slightly more stressful…
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New Device Developed for Somasensory Tinnitus
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN — Researchers at the University of Michigan’s Kresge Hearing Research Institute recently developed a device for individuals suffering from annoying or debilitating tinnitus. Led by Susan Shore, PhD, the experimental intervention combines auditory and mild electrical pulse stimulation that offers promise as a neurologic approach to treating the incapacitating effects of tinnitus.…
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