This course brings together several experts from leading companies in hearing care as part of the 2026 AudiologyOnline Industry Innovations Summit. A wide range of products and services are discussed along with their supporting evidence. Insight into innovations and trends in the hearing care market is also provided in this lively roundtable forum moderated by Dr. Christopher Spankovich, with a distinguished panel of presenters from Audioscan, CaptionCall, CareCredit & Synchrony, OtoHealth, ReSound, Signia, and Starkey.
Upcoming Live Webinars
CEUs/Hours Offered: BAA/2.0; CAA/2.0; SAC/2.0
Presented By
Christopher Spankovich
AuD, PhD, MPH
Christopher Spankovich, AuD, PhD, MPH, is a tenured professor and vice chair of research for the Department of Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Spankovich is a clinician-scientist with a translational research program focused on prevention of acquired forms of hearing loss, tinnitus, and sound sensitivity. His research includes clinical trials of otoprotectants, epidemiological studies of determinants (e.g., dietary quality) of hearing loss/tinnitus, basic research in thermal stress for prevention of ototoxicity, and translational research on the effects of noise on auditory physiology/perception. His research has been funded by industry, federal, and professional bodies. He has published over 90 articles and book chapters (60 in peer-reviewed journals) and has given over 60 national and international presentations. Dr. Spankovich continues to practice clinically with special interest in tinnitus, sound sensitivity, ototoxicity, hearing conservation, and advanced diagnostics. He holds adjunct faculty status with Salus University and Nova Southeastern University and serves as an associate editor for the International Journal of Audiology. He recently completed service as a board member for the American Academy of Audiology.
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Stephen DeMari
MS
Steve earned his Master’s in Audiology from Syracuse University and has been an Audiologist for over 35 years. He has served in a variety of leadership and clinical audiology roles. Most recently, he was Vice President of Sales and Director of Audiology for a large healthcare provider. Previously, he was Director of Government Services and Business Development for three large hearing instrument manufacturers. He is currently employed by CaptionCall by Sorenson. Steve is a member of AAA, ASHA, ILAA, & IHS. He stays highly involved in the industry through continuing education seminars, conferences, social networks and professional blogs.
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Dave Fabry
PhD
Dave Fabry is Chief Hearing Health Officer for Starkey, where he has worked since 2009. He has previously held both academic and industry roles during his 43-year career as an Audiologist. He is a Past President and Board Member of the American Academy of Audiology and recently completed two terms as a Board Member for the American Auditory Society. He has served in the past as Editor-in-Chief for Audiology Today and the American Journal of Audiology, and as a Section Editor for Ear and Hearing.
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Edmund Farrar
Dr. Edmund Farrar is a leading figure in modern tinnitus care. A former military and NHS doctor, he saw how little practical support patients received and how few could access effective therapy. His own tinnitus experience pushed him to focus on what actually works. He co-founded Oto with Dr. George Leidig to close the gap between evidence and real-world care.
Ed has built Oto into the only clinically proven digital tinnitus therapeutic with randomized controlled trial evidence, including the large DEFINE trial led by the University of Cambridge. His work helped establish digital CBT as a credible, scalable option for people who cannot access specialist care. Under his leadership, Oto has supported more than 100,000 people and is now advancing reimbursement pathways in major health systems including the NHS.
Ed continues to work with audiology and ENT leaders worldwide, helping shift the field toward accessible, evidence-based habituation and better standards of tinnitus care. He is now recognized as one of the key voices shaping the future of tinnitus treatment.
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Jessica Lawley
BA
Jessica Lawley, VP, Client Marketing for Synchrony Health and Wellness and Audiology lead. She leads marketing relationships with clients, partners, and associations to develop and implement marketing and communication strategies that align with patient, provider, business, and financial goals. Jessica has 16+ years of marketing experience at companies such as Synchrony, Citibank, and The PGA TOUR. Jessica obtained her BA in Marketing from Auburn University while lettering on Auburn’s golf team.
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John Pumford
AuD
John Pumford, AuD, is the Director of Audiology, Education and Clinical Research at Audioscan. With over 27 years of experience in the field, Dr. Pumford has served in senior roles in audiology, clinical research, and management for several leading hearing aid companies. He has also held clinical audiology positions in both hospital and private practice settings along with research audiology positions at the National Centre for Audiology in Canada where he contributed to advancements in the DSL fitting formula. Dr. Pumford has presented widely internationally on hearing aid technology and verification procedures and has authored numerous articles, peer-reviewed papers, and book chapters on these topics.
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Tammara Stender
AuD
Tammara Stender, AuD, is Director of Global Audiology External Relations for GN Hearing. The
Global Audiology groups, located in Copenhagen and Chicago, conduct research and development from the perspectives of the user and the hearing professional. Prior to joining GN ReSound in 2003, Tammy was an Audiologist for Orlando Regional Healthcare in Orlando,
Florida, where she provided pediatric diagnostic and amplification services. She earned her
Master of Science degree in Audiology from Vanderbilt University, and her Doctor of Audiology
degree from the University of Florida. In addition to her position at ReSound, she has held
Adjunct Faculty positions at Northern Illinois University and Rush University in Chicago.
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Brian Taylor
AuD
Brian Taylor, AuD, is the senior director of audiology for WS Audiology. Dr. Taylor also serves as the editor of Audiology Practices, a quarterly publication of the Academy of Doctors
of Audiology, and as an adjunct instructor at the University of Wisconsin. Brian
has more than 35 years of clinical, business and teaching experience.
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Financial: Stephen DeMari is an employee of CaptionCall. Non-financial: Stephen DeMari has no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.
Financial: Dave Fabry is an employee of Starkey. Non-financial: Dave Fabry has no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.
Financial disclosures: Dr. Edmund Farrar is Co-Founder and CEO of OtoHealth, Inc.
Non-financial disclosures: Dr. Edmund Farrar has no relevant non-financial disclosures.
Financial: Jessica Lovell is an employee of CareCredit. Non-financial: Jessica Lovell has no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.
Financial disclosures: John Pumford is employed at Audioscan.
Non-financial disclosures: John Pumford has no relevant non-financial disclosures.
Financial disclosure: Tammara Stender is employed at GN Hearing.
Non-Financial disclosure: Tammara Stender has no relevant non-financial disclosures.
Financial disclosures: Employed by WS Audiology. Receives a stipend from the University of
Wisconsin and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology.
Non-financial disclosures: None.
Course participation information
To ensure you are ready to participate, please complete our short Test Drive to prepare your computer to view the course.
NOTE: Full attendance for all courses is mandatory. For self-study courses, this includes reading the full text, listening to the full audio recording, or watching the complete video, as appropriate for the format of the course.
Passing an online exam and completing a course evaluation will be required to earn continuing education credit.
Live Webinars allow presenter and participant interaction. The exam and course evaluation for these courses must be completed within 7 days of the event.
On-demand courses include texts, video and audio recordings of live webinars, and multimedia formats. The exam and course evaluation for on-demand courses must be completed within 30 days of course registration.
To participate in the course, complete the exam and course evaluation, and earn continuing education credit, you must be a AudiologyOnline member. Participants must complete the entire course; partial credit is not allowed.
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British Academy of Audiology
This course has been accredited with 2.00 CPD point/s by the British Academy of Audiology.
Canadian Academy of Audiology
The Canadian Academy of Audiology (CAA) supports and assists its members in the attainment of continuing education towards an individual professional development plan as required by their Provincial Regulatory Colleges and Provincial Associations. Audiology Online is an approved provider of educational activities for CAA members. Each hour of activity may be counted as one Continuous Learning Activity Credit (or equivalent) as allowed by the applicable regulatory college or association.
Speech-Language & Audiology Canada
Clinically certified members of Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) can accumulate continuing education equivalents (CEEs) for their participation with AudiologyOnline. One hour of coursework equals 1 CEE. All SAC members are encouraged to participate in on-going education.