Professional Ethics and Audiology
Recognizing that we are only as strong as our membership, members of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology agree to abide by the Academy’s Code of Ethics as a condition of their membership.

Additionally, the regulatory climate for professionals may change over time, thus requiring that some ethical issues be addressed in a more specific manner. Guidelines are exactly that: tools to help the professional explore and deal with specific issues that commonly arise in the daily practice of Audiology that may pose potential ethical dilemmas.

Currently, only one set of ethical guidelines has been developed. Ethical Practices Guidelines on Financial Incentives Related to Hearing Aid Dispensing is the result of a collaborative effort between ADA and the American Academy of Audiology (AAA). Guidelines for Ethical Practices in Academic Research will be available in the near future. Future guidelines will be developed in other areas as the need arises or as regulatory conditions necessitate.

ADA Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology has as its purpose the assurance of the highest quality of professional service rendered to those served. Each member of the Academy shall abide by this Code of Ethics. The six fundamental principles of this Code relate to each member's responsibility to the welfare of those served, to professional standards, to products and services, to public information, and to professional growth and involvement.

» Review ADA Code of Ethics

Ethical Practice Guidelines on Financial Incentives Related to Hearing Aid Dispensing (April, 2003)
General guidelines have been developed in a collaborative effort between the Boards of Directors of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) and the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) on the topic of financial incentives from Hearing Aid Manufacturers.

» Review Ethical Practice Guidelines on Financial Incentives

Additional Resources

• View the ethics presentation from ADA's 2003 Convention in Fort Myers, Florida. Presenters: Cynthia Ellison, Au.D., Angela Loavenbruck, Ed.D, & Craig Johnson, Au.D. This presentation reviews the history and rationale for ethical standards including the regulatory and legal foundation.
• Subscribe to Frank Bucaro's free ethics newsletter. Bucaro was the keynote speaker on the topic of 'How To Succeed Ethically When Others Bend The Rules' at the 2002 ADA Annual Convention in Palm Springs.
• Read the Guidelines for Research in Audiology developed by the American Academy of Audiology. This article in the November/December 2003 issue of Audiology Today describes the rationale behind the latest AAA Code of Ethics changes.