It's that time of year - the time when everyone puts out a list of the "top items" in a given category. I took the liberty of going through the Audiology Online news files and selecting what I thought were the top audiology news stories of 2007. As this is my list, I am sure that some of you may think that this list should be in a different order, or that I have possibly left some things off the list all together! Please, take the time to let me know! I invite you to send your comments to dave@audiologyonline.com and look forward to the discussion - David Fabry, Ph.D., Audiology Online Associate Editor.
George Osborne dies unexpectedly at the age of 66: It is impossible to measure George's impact on the profession of audiology, as an educator, clinician, board member and visionary. In 2000, Dr. Osborne founded the school of Audiology at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), culminating a dream that he envisioned as a founding member of the American Academy of Audiology, Audiology Foundation of America. He was instrumental in establishing distance-learning programs for audiology, enabling over 1000 professionals to earn their AuD through PCO's program to date. In short, he helped chance the profession of audiology through the combination of vision and execution.
Audiology named one of the Best Careers for 2007 by US News and World Report: Illustrating that it was no fluke, audiology was again named as one of the ten best careers for 2008, citing the aging baby boomers and variety of jobs available within the profession. Although US News continues to stress that audiology is an "under the radar" profession, exposure like this can only increase audiology's visibility and "brand recognition".
Hearing aids in the news: Hearing aids continue to garner media attention, from mainstream coverage on CNN to business coverage on CNBC, suggesting that, like audiology, hearing aids have undergone an image makeover and continue to garner more attention.
BTE hearing aid growth to 50% of the US market: Although not isolated to 2007, the growth in popularity of "mini" and "micro" behind-the-ear (BTE) devices spearheaded popularity for BTEs not seen since the 1980s, according to the latest Hearing Industries Association figures.
FDA warns of risk of hearing loss caused by Viagra: In October, the Food and Drug Administration required that the warning labels for Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and other male impotence drugs contain warnings about the risk of hearing loss as a potential complication. The FDA went on to encourage patients who experience any hearing or balance related symptoms to consult their doctor. Sadly, this finding confirmed what many women suspected for a long time - their husbands don't listen!
Failed takeover bid of GN Resound by Sonova Holdings AG (formerly Phonak): After nearly a year in deliberation, Sonova announced in August that they would not pursue the merger that would have created the largest conglomerate in the hearing aid industry, after a German court blocked the deal. In April, Germany's Federal Cartel Office had blocked the takeover on a global basis, saying it would lead to market dominance in Germany by Sonova, Siemens, and William Demant, and sending audiologists everywhere to look up the definition of oligopoly (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oligopoly).
AAA's "Turn it to the Left": This campaign (https://www.audiology.org/turnittotheleft.htm) focuses attention on the risk of noise induced hearing loss by targeting members of the iPod generation. Capitalizing on the attention given in 2006 to the dangers of listening to your iPod, the Academy developed a partnership with rapper Ben Jackson to educate teens about prevention of hearing loss by minimizing noise exposure. Academy president Alison Grimes appeared with Jackson on numerous media outlets, including over 12 million listeners on numerous radio and television programs.
Grace Arnold Gore, Au.D. student, crowned Miss Tennessee: Although we have seen deaf and hard-of-hearing winners, to our knowledge there has not previously been a candidate that is an audiologist or audiology student. This may be viewed by some as a double-edged sword, as beauty pageants often stress the physical attributes of candidates more than their intellectual capabilities, but if Ms. Gore chooses to stress the merits of audiology as a profession, it may capitalize on the "reality show" fervor that has captured America's attention.
Dave Fabry, PhD
Director of Clinical Research
David Fabry is Director of Clinical Research for Phonak Hearing Systems in Warrenville, Illinois. Previously, he worked at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, from 1990-2002, and he served as Director of Audiology from 1994-2002. Dave served on the American Academy of Audiology Board from 1997-2003, and was President of the Academy from 2001-2002. He is a past editor of the American Journal of Audiology, and is a member of numerous professional associations. He lives in Rochester, Minnesota with his wife, Elizabeth, and his daughter, Loren.
Related Courses
1https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/everyday-cybersecurity-best-practices-for-34706Everyday Cybersecurity Best Practices for Audiology CliniciansThis course will cover practical steps and cybersecurity best practices to help protect professionals and their patients’ protected health information. Participants will learn how to recognize malicious emails and websites, how to select strong passwords, how to protect smartphones, and how to secure sensitive data.auditory, textual, visual
This course will cover practical steps and cybersecurity best practices to help protect professionals and their patients’ protected health information. Participants will learn how to recognize malicious emails and websites, how to select strong passwords, how to protect smartphones, and how to secure sensitive data.
2https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/sustaining-well-being-healthcare-workers-35071Sustaining the Well-Being of Healthcare Workers During CoronavirusThe coronavirus (COVID-19) is presenting new and unique challenges. We are navigating unchartered waters with this virus, making it important to find new ways to work and interact while also taking care of our mental health and well-being. Many are teleworking full-time for the first time, isolated from co-workers, friends and family. Others are on the front lines caring for others. No matter what, our daily living routines are disrupted causing added anxiety, stress and strain—physically, mentally, and financially. Now more than ever, we all must take care of our mental health and well-being. The purpose of this session is to provide wellness considerations for work settings as we all navigate the uncharted territory and response to novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). In this webinar, the learner will be offered strategies, exercises, activities and considerations for addressing their own health and wellness including stress management, sleep behaviors, and social connectedness. Additionally, symptoms related to trauma are reviewed along with techniques supervisors can utilize for effective, empathic management.textual, visual
The coronavirus (COVID-19) is presenting new and unique challenges. We are navigating unchartered waters with this virus, making it important to find new ways to work and interact while also taking care of our mental health and well-being. Many are teleworking full-time for the first time, isolated from co-workers, friends and family. Others are on the front lines caring for others. No matter what, our daily living routines are disrupted causing added anxiety, stress and strain—physically, mentally, and financially. Now more than ever, we all must take care of our mental health and well-being. The purpose of this session is to provide wellness considerations for work settings as we all navigate the uncharted territory and response to novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). In this webinar, the learner will be offered strategies, exercises, activities and considerations for addressing their own health and wellness including stress management, sleep behaviors, and social connectedness. Additionally, symptoms related to trauma are reviewed along with techniques supervisors can utilize for effective, empathic management.
3https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/understanding-privilege-for-healthcare-professionals-36096Understanding Privilege, for Healthcare ProfessionalsSystems of privilege have created a wide division of inequality. This course will help hearing care professionals identify their privilege and determine how to make a difference in their places of employment.auditory, textual, visual
Systems of privilege have created a wide division of inequality. This course will help hearing care professionals identify their privilege and determine how to make a difference in their places of employment.
4https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/creating-leadership-in-audiology-through-37632Creating Leadership in Audiology Through a Mentoring CircleThere are so many components to quality patient care that it is challenging to “master” them all. What if you could come together with other professionals who possess knowledge or experience that could help you or your practice? There are a number of veteran audiologists as well as rising professionals who have wisdom, qualifications, narratives, and unique journeys to share. The purpose of this talk is to rethink the traditional mentor/mentee vertical relationship and explore collaboration in the form of circle…where all professionals, regardless of age or experience, learn from each other.auditory, textual, visual
There are so many components to quality patient care that it is challenging to “master” them all. What if you could come together with other professionals who possess knowledge or experience that could help you or your practice? There are a number of veteran audiologists as well as rising professionals who have wisdom, qualifications, narratives, and unique journeys to share. The purpose of this talk is to rethink the traditional mentor/mentee vertical relationship and explore collaboration in the form of circle…where all professionals, regardless of age or experience, learn from each other.
5https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/using-patient-reported-outcome-measures-35841Using Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) to Improve Patient-Clinician Communication and Enhance Treatment EfficacyDue to the recent increased focus on providing patient-centered healthcare, use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have become an essential component of assessing whether the services provided improved patients’ health and sense of well-being. This course will discuss the role of PROMs in healthcare and how using these measures in clinical practice can enhance treatment efficacy, improve patient-clinician communication, and assist clinicians in providing better person-centered care.auditory, textual, visual
Due to the recent increased focus on providing patient-centered healthcare, use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have become an essential component of assessing whether the services provided improved patients’ health and sense of well-being. This course will discuss the role of PROMs in healthcare and how using these measures in clinical practice can enhance treatment efficacy, improve patient-clinician communication, and assist clinicians in providing better person-centered care.
