Important Message Regarding the Ohio Audiology Conference 2020:

The Ohio Audiology Conference that was scheduled to occur in October 2020 has been postponed to 2021 out of an abundance of caution.  Many factors were taken into consideration for this decision, but ultimately the safety of our attendees, speakers, and sponsors drove the final decision.  We look forward to planning the 2021 conference and hope to have more details to share soon!

Statement from the Ohio Academy of Audiology

Dear Fellow Audiologists:

There is no doubt that 2020 has turned out to be one of the most challenging years in recent history for a number of reasons.  But with challenges comes opportunity for true change.  The Code of Ethics we follow as Ohio audiologists demands we engage in the provision of hearing and balance healthcare without discrimination. As such, The Ohio Academy of Audiology Board of Directors denounces systematic racism and the violence incited in its name.  In multiple localities across Ohio, local and state representatives have come together to denounce violence and declare racism a public health crisis.  We, as healthcare providers, must play a role in the solution to this crisis, and we, as communication experts, can do just that with what we know best- LISTEN AND SPEAK.

Listen…

• To your friends, family, colleagues, patients/clients of color speak their truth about how these acts have impacted them on a personal and professional level.
• To stories written on hardships past and present.
• To history and know that if we acknowledge it, we can play a part in not repeating it.

Speak…

• Address the Inequities you witness or experience yourself...Do Not be a Bystander.
• Be an Ally by Advocating for Change.  Advocacy occurs on local, state, and national levels- get involved to address inequities in Ohio with viable solutions.  Contact your national governing body of choice to get involved on the national level.
• Vote.  Educate yourself on your representation and where they stand on these issues and issues that mean the most to you, both professionally and personally.  Then exercise your right to vote for those who speak your voice and how you want change to materialize.

We stand with our colleagues, friends, families, patients/clients, and communities when we state #RacismIsAPublicHealthCrisis.  We appreciate our members and their continued commitment to providing exceptional services to all patients/clients and their families equally during these tumultuous times. #hEARohio.

Best Regards,

The OAA Board of Directors

The Ohio academy of audiology celebrates better hearing and speech month

Check out our wonderful video on youtube featuring several members of your ohio academy of audiology board!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF_akKwgbQs

stay safe and healthy everyone!

Ohio academy of audiology covid-19 response

Dear Fellow Ohio Audiologists,

It has certainly been an interesting time to be a healthcare provider, and as things continue to evolve we will all have to be creative and innovative with how we address the needs of our patients balanced with our own needs and that of our families.  As healthcare providers, we are essential to the fight against COVID-19 and we can contribute meaningfully by both providing essential needed patient care services and by exercising social/physical distancing for non-essential patient needs.  Several resources are available as guidance for clinical practice during this time, including Dr. Amy Acton’s recent Stay-at-Home order which defines healthcare providers as essential and able to perform needed services for patients.  Additionally, the American Academy of Audiology has provided COVID-19 Clinical Practice Recommendations and a recorded video address from current president, Dr. Catherine Palmer, to provide clarity during these uncertain times.

Taken together, the messages received suggest that essential patient care during these times can still occur, but with proper precautions and discretion.  If there are patient care needs that are essential (ie: facilitating communication for medical treatment and/or communicating needs in an emergency) providers can still engage in those services but should make every attempt to provide them within the context of social/physical distancing.  In accordance with our state’s emergency declarations, tele-health can and should be used whenever possible.  Telehealth resources are available through AAA, including Telehealth Resource Centers,  Telehealth Articles, and a Telehealth Tool-kit.   

For more information specific to Ohio, please visit the Ohio Department of Health dedicated COVID-19 website and specific resources available therein for healthcare providers.

Be well,

Ursula Findlen, OAA President

#hEARohio #audiology #coronavirus

The Governmental Affairs Coalition continues to be the leading voice for audiology in Ohio. Our lobbyist and GAC affect change at the state level all the time. Recently, OAA’s representatives provided critical input into the development of recently introduced HB 243, requiring insurance coverage for children’s hearing aids, without which audiologists may not have been included as providers! This bill has bipartisan support and OAA and parents support the passage.  Our voice is important because if we don’t speak up, someone else will, and we need to speak into the microphone.  Almost 50% of your dues for the Ohio Academy of Audiology go directly to the critical effort of funding our voice at the legislative level.

 We would like to highlight some of the important work in 2019 that GAC has performed to support you as audiologists in the state of Ohio and the patients you serve:

• Met with representatives of the newly elected DeWine administration to discuss GAC and our priorities;
• Met with advocates of the LEAD-K movement to explain our concerns with possible legislation;
• Participated in a conference call with Susan Adams of ASHA regarding LEAD-K;
• Organized and led a coalition of 35 organizations to explore recommendations for Medicaid procurement of managed care contracts;
• Successfully advocated for renewal of OHAAP, protection of special education weighted funding formula and continuation of Medicaid expansion in biennial budget bill;
• Met with representatives to discuss the possibility of a hearing aid insurance mandate bill, which led to the introduction of HB 243;
• Met with the occupational therapy association to discuss a memorandum of understanding related to the Medicaid Schools Program;
• Participated in a call with ASHA and the Council of State Governments on state compact legislation, and followed up with names of Ohio legislators who may be interested in participating in a summit on the issue;
• Met with the sponsor of HB 129 to suggest revisions to his legislation which would allow motorcyclists to wear hearing protection in both ears while riding;
• Presented testimony to Ohio Medicaid on its telemedicine rule, 5160-1-18, requesting that the rule’s scope be broadened to include SLP and audiology services;
• Participated in press conference on hearing aid insurance mandate bill, HB 243;
• Participated in a conference call with OSHPB regarding audiology assistants;
• Met with a legislator to discuss outreach to ODE for release of the final report from the School Workforce Shortage Taskforce;
• Reviewed revisions to the Medicaid provider eligibility rule and the ODH Universal Newborn Hearing Screening rules; and
• Agreed to participate in a January 2020 ASHA webinar segment regarding the importance of advocacy.

As you can see the GAC is YOUR voice when it comes to issues directly impacting you and your patients in the state of Ohio. We urge you to continue to pledge your financial and professional support for the GAC by continuing your membership with the Ohio Academy of Audiology and through your continued donations to the GAC. Together as a team we can protect the scope of practice in audiology in the state of Ohio and continue to fight for what our patients need in terms of hearing and balance healthcare!

Click here to donate to the OSHPAC to continue to support GAC and their important mission!

Have questions about the GAC? Your GAC representatives for OAA are:

Gina Hounam
Nationwide Children's Hospital
700 Children's Drive
Columbus, OH
43205

Christina Roup
110 Pressey Hall, 1070 Carmack Road
Columbus, OH
43210

Click here to view the latest job postings in our classifieds section!

WELCOME TO OAA!

The Ohio Academy of Audiology (OAA) is dedicated to advancing the profession of audiology, and supports audiologists in their mission to provide expert hearing and balance care in Ohio.

Please explore our website – take a look at our events and keep up-to-date with the Academy news; read about our Award winners in the honors and awards section. Learn more about our members in the member spotlight; and don’t forget to join the Academy! If you’d like to become involved in the Academy, please email us at [email protected]

OUR MISSION

The Ohio Academy of Audiology, as the leading authority, supports audiologists in their mission to provide expert hearing and balance care in Ohio.

OUR VISION

The Ohio Academy of Audiology is dedicated to advancing the profession of audiology

contact usPlease contact us anytime with questions or for more information on Events, Membership, News and more. Feel free to use the contact information or fill out the short form on the contact page and we’ll be back in touch as soon as possible. Thank you very much for your interestThe Ohio Academy of AudiologyP.O. Box 596

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