Dr. James Jerger, distinguished scholar in residence at the UT Dallas School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, was recently honored as the founder of the American Academy of Audiology at its inaugural "Founder's Day" celebration.
Jan. 30 marked the American Academy of Audiology's 20th anniversary. The academy commemorated Jerger's leadership in the field of audiology by naming its Capitol Hill conference room the "James Jerger Conference Room." Jerger is not only the Academy's founder and first president, he has also served as editor in chief of the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology since it was established in 1989.
Jerger founded the American Academy of Audiology in 1988 to promote the audiology profession through leadership, advocacy, education, public awareness and support of research. Today its membership includes more than 10,000 audiologists.
"Even before the American Academy of Audiology existed, Dr. Jerger's research and teaching were legendary," said Dr. Alison Grimes, president of the American Academy of Audiology. "His honor is well deserved, and the entire academy looks to him as the man who got it all started."
Jerger specializes in auditory processing disorders in children and the elderly and the effects of aging on auditory function. He established the UT Dallas Texas Auditory Processing Disorder Laboratory, which is dedicated to the research of brain mechanisms that are fundamental to auditory processing disorders. He also supervises students in the UT Dallas doctoral audiology program, which is ranked fifth in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.
"Jim Jerger's scientific and professional contributions have been critical ingredients in the shaping of audiology as a discipline. We are very proud to have him at the University." said Dr. Bert Moore, dean of UT Dallas School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
Jerger received his Ph.D. and started his career at Northwestern University. Before coming to UT Dallas in 1997, he held appointments at the Baylor College of Medicine, the Houston Speech and Hearing Center and Gallaudet University. During his 54-year career, Jerger has been the author or co-author of more than 300 publications in audiology.
Taken from: www.utdallas.edu
