The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to the Agency’s proposed 2021 revisions to payment policies under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Part B Payment Policies.

ADA Statement on Passage of S. 785 and Inclusion of Section 703: Prescription of Technical Qualifications for Licensed Hearing Aid Specialists and Requirement for Appointment of Such Specialists

September 23, 2020 — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S. 785 (The Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act). While this bi-partisan legislation is primarily designed to reduce veteran suicide by improving access to and the delivery of mental health services for veterans in crisis, it also contained a provision (Section 703) that stipulates the process for determining technical qualifications for licensed hearing aid specialists (HAS) within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and requirements for their appointment at VA medical centers.

The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) Nominating Committee is charged with the responsibility to identify candidates who are well suited to lead ADA into the future, through service on the ADA Board of Directors.

After a thorough examination of all nominations, the Nominating Committee is pleased to present the following slate of candidates for the offices of President-Elect and Director-at-Large (two positions open):

The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) in collaboration with the Independent Audiologists Australia (IAA) and the Independent Audiologists New Zealand (IANZ) will welcome audiologists, students, industry partners, and thought leaders from virtually everywhere on October 16-17, 2020 for AuDacity Forge Ahead and Forge Ahead Down Under (where you can learn about ears, network with peers, buy gear, enhance your career--and bring your own beer). Register by September 8th to get an AuDacity conference kit (while supplies last).

Friday’s agenda features fast-paced keynote and panel sessions, along with plenty of opportunities to network in the exhibit hall. View the preliminary agenda (all times listed Eastern Time USA). Conference activities will run for 21 consecutive hours—covering time zones across the globe! After a brief hiatus, AuDacity’s educational program will start up again on Saturday with innovative workshops including the following sessions:

• Cochlear Implant Remote Programming, Ginger Grant, Au.D.
• Hearing Aid Remote Programming and Telehealth Issues, Multiple Presenters
• Ethical Considerations for Audiologists, Michael Page, Au.D.
• Third-Party Administrators and Market Differentiation, Kim Cavitt, Au.D.
• Performance Indicators and Profitability in Private Practice, Multiple Presenters
• Amplify Your Impact: Personal Styles and Learning to Listen, David Citron, III, Ph.D., Victor Bray, Ph.D., and Robert Traynor Ed.D., MBA.
• Student Track

Stay tuned – more details to follow. Your AuDacity registration fee gives you access to all the action.

As the overall consumer culture has shifted to a self-service model over the last several years, no industry has remained untouched — and that includes hearing healthcare. In the last several months, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing, that trend has only accelerated. In this informative brief, Making the case: Audiologists can benefit from embracing self-service hearing healthcare, Hamilton® CapTel® explores the hearing healthcare self-service trend, including:

• Online hearing self-assessment tools and their widespread adoption
• Online hearing loss simulators
• Online availability of hearing assistive devices
• A self-service checklist for hearing healthcare professionals

GET THE BRIEF