Announcements

2012 AVAA Officer Nominations will begin in January

The AVAA Executive will be accepting nominations in January for the following positions:

• President-Elect
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Member at Large

Each position is described in our bylaws and provides an unique opportunity to get involved in VA Audiology!

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TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Listed below you will find the manufacturer trainings available at JDVAC 2012.
Conference and Hotel Registration information COMING SOON.

Hearing Aid Manufacturer Training Opportunities at JDVAC 2012
(in alphabetical order)

Bernafon
TBA

GN Resound
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Registration available at: http://govserv.gnresound.com

Oticon
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Call 1-877-310-9681 to register

Phonak
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Call 1-888-561-7555 to register

Siemens
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Gerry Landmesser at 1-800-766-4500

Sonic Innovations
TBA

Starkey
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Contact: Danielle Johnson at 952—947-4962 or danielle_johnson@starkey.com

Unitron
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Call 1-800-397-4442 to register

 

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SAVE THE DATE:

Join us for the 2012 Joint Defense Veterans Audiology Conference in Dallas Texas at the brand new OMNI Dallas Hotel March 19-21 (More details to follow) 

 

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CALL FOR PAPERS
JDVAC 2012 Presentation Proposals

WHO: The Executive and Education Committees of the AVAA and the MAA are planning the 2012 joint meeting of the Associations.

WHERE: Dallas, Texas

WHEN: March 19-21, 2012.

In keeping with tradition, military audiologists, VA audiologists, and other invited guests will be provided an opportunity to present topics based on current research and/or their clinical expertise. A valuable component of our conference is the research paper presentation sessions and we invite you to submit your application. As in past years, the presenters will provide a 20 minute power point presentation during the afternoon breakout sessions of the conference. These sessions will provide attendees the opportunity to learn about research, clinical protocols, and other programs that enhance the audiology services that we provide to our patients. All topics of expertise will be considered for inclusion in the program. Presenting at this conference provides support to obtain travel funding from your local station.


Paper Abstract Requirements:

1. Submit a one page summary of your abstract to include an introduction, methodology and results.
2. On a separate sheet provide the name, title and affiliation of each presenter, the primary contact and the subject area.

Each submission will be reviewed blindly by a panel of audiologists from the Education Committees of AVAA and MAA. Upon acceptance the primary contact from each submission will be notified in writing.

Submission deadline is October 15, 2011.

Abstracts should be submitted by e-mail with subject line “JDVAC 2012 Presentation Proposal” to Michelle.Menendez@va.gov
Thank you.

Michelle Menendez AuD
Audiology Section Chief ASPS
Bay Pines VAHCS
727 398-6661 ext 4025

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CALL FOR POSTERS
JDVAC 2012 Poster Proposals

The Executive and Education Committees of the AVAA and the MAA are planning the 2012 joint meeting of the Associations. The poster session represents an excellent opportunity to present latest research results, new clinical initiatives and systems redesign innovations, etc. All topics of expertise will be considered for inclusion in the session and all conference attendees are invited to submit poster proposals. Participation provides support to obtain conference travel funding from your local station. Those interested in participating should:

Submit a one page written abstract including an introduction, methodology and results.

On a separate sheet provide the name, title and affiliation of each presenter, the primary contact and the subject area.

Each submission will be reviewed blindly by a panel of audiologists from the Education Committees of AVAA and MAA. Upon acceptance the primary contact from each submission will be notified in writing.

Submission deadline is November 15, 2011.

Information should be submitted by e-mail with subject line “JDVAC 2012 Poster Proposal” to Nanette.lee@va.gov.

Thank you,

Nanette Lee, Au.D. CCC/A
Clinical Audiologist
MEDVAMC
2002 Holcombe Blvd. #126
Houston, Tx 77030
713-794-7112

 

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JDVAC 2011 Program and Presentations

Click here to view the JDVAC 2011 Program and Presentations

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AVAA Responds to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Forces (USPSTF)

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Forces (USPSTF) recently published a draft statement for updated recommendations concerning screening for hearing loss in adults ages fifty years and older. The USPSTF invited public comments on its draft recommendation statement from October 4 to November 1, 2011 and again from November 30 to December 13, 2011. After reading and discussing the draft statement, the AVAA Executive Committee provided a response focused upon the following issues of concern:

1. Screenings should be performed only with the use of calibrated equipment by properly trained personnel. Other screening methods such as the whispered voice test and finger rub test lack sensitivity and specificity for identification of hearing loss, especially hearing losses most commonly associated with the target population.

2. Subjective screening tools such as the HHIE-S may be useful for assessing the functional impact of hearing loss, but should not be used as a method for identification of peripheral hearing loss. Subjective awareness of hearing loss may not occur until a hearing loss is of an advanced nature, and early identification of hearing loss is always in the best interest of the patient.

3. The benefits of hearing loss identification are not limited to successful outcomes with hearing aids. Many patients with hearing loss benefit greatly from educational counseling focused upon explaining and validating their complaints, as well as the sharing of effective compensatory communication strategies. In other cases, hearing loss may be symptomatic of more serious health concerns (e.g. acoustic neuromas, cerebrovascular disorders, glomus jugulare tumors, intracranial tumors, multiple sclerosis, active middle ear pathology such as cholesteatoma, autoimmune disorders, etc.). Additionally, many within the target population may still be working and as a condition of their work, may be routinely exposed to hazardous noise. Early identification of noise-induced hearing loss through audiometric screening affords an opportunity for intervention that may result in improved hearing conservation measures and, in turn, improved long term outcomes for those exposed to occupational noise.

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AVAA Monitoring AAA and ASHA Responses to Draft AMA Document Regarding Audiology Scope of Practice

The AVAA Executive Board reviewed the responses of both ASHA and AAA regarding the AMA Scope of Practice Data Series: Audiologists. As an organization, AVAA, disagreed with the information presented by the AMA regarding the scope of practice of an audiologist, however, we feel that AAA and ASHA represent the broad field of audiologists. Most VA audiologists belong to one or both of these organizations. As an organization we have to be careful that any endorsement by AVAA is not construed as the voice of the US Government. On the issue of the responding to the AMA’s Scope of Practice document, AVAA is choosing to remain politically neutral as again we feel that our needs as audiologists are already being represented by AAA and ASHA. For members who are interested in the AAA and ASHA responses to the AMA, please see their websites for more information.