Student Academy of Audiology

Fall National SAA Virtual Town Hall
2023-10-09 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
One the benefits of being a nationally recognized SAA Chapter is the opportunity for local SAA chapter leadership and/or a designated national SAA chapter representative to attend national SAA town halls. The virtual town halls are designed to improve inter-chapter relationships, facilitate communications, and build a support network for local SAA chapters.
Multiple times and dates will be offered for each town hall to accommodate various schedules. The dates offered for the Fall Town Halls are:

October 9, 2023
October 11, 2023
October 17, 2023
November 2, 2023

Click on the button below to attend this Town Hall!
Note: In order to maintain national recognition, a local SAA chapter representative is required to participate in at least one town hall during the 2023-2024 term – Fall, Winter, or Spring.
Sign-Up

Stress Management 101
2023-09-19 20:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Virtual
We live in a time of abundance where our access to information and resources has never been greater. This, however, has not correlated with improved psychological well-being. If anything, studies are demonstrating that stress, burnout, substance abuse and mental health disorders are on the rise. Stressors are prevalent in all aspects of life from personal to professional. Mental health conditions such as generalized anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder and depression are often caused by mismanaged stress over time. Health care providers, such as audiologists, can be especially vulnerable to the impacts of stress in the dynamic environments they operate in and in response to demands of being a caregiver. Occupational stress leading to burnout can negatively impact the provider’s health, job stability and quality of care. Early intervention is imperative in reversing the negative impacts of poorly managed stress. Through this presentation, participants will be provided practical strategies for assessing and managing stress to promote resilience. Furthermore, exercises to build resilience as a method of preventing unavoidable future stress will be emphasized. The goal of any good treatment program should be to get patients to a point of being able to care for themselves and identify potential threats before they turn into problems. This presentation will discuss individual and collective ways to achieve those goals.
Register
Speaker Information

Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Kyle H. Shepard, Au.D. is an Audiologist for the United States Navy. Prior to his commissioning in August 2013, he received his Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University where he double majored in Speech and Hearing Science and Psychology. He then obtained his Doctorate in Audiology from the Northeast Ohio Au.D. Consortium. His 4th year externship was completed at the Cleveland Clinic from 2012-2013 where he was required to complete seven rotations, each specializing in a different area covering the scope of Audiology. He is currently stationed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River where he is the Branch Head of Helmet Systems and Auditory Performance within the Naval Air Warfare Center – Aircraft Division Command. There he manages and collaborates with engineers and other medical specialties working on research projects contributing to areas in advanced hearing protection and communication systems, active noise reduction, 3D scanning, 3D printing and in-the-ear noise dosimetry. He was formally stationed at Naval Hospital Guam where he was the Department Head of Audiology and Hearing Conservation Program Manager of Joint Region Marianas as well as Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune where he was the Department Head of Operational Audiology and Hearing Conservation Program Manager of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. In 2015, he was the recipient of both the Military Audiology Association’s Elizabeth Guild Award and Navy Audiologist of the Year.
Resources

10 Tips to De-Stress on World Mental Health Day
How to Handle Burnout
Life Lessons from a Leave of Absence

Imposter Syndrome: It's Not Just You!
2023-06-01 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Imposter Syndrome is notoriously common but not often discussed. During this session, we will review the meaning and history behind this phenomenon. We’ll also discuss contributing factors to this experience along with coping mechanisms that may help. The goal of the session is to be vulnerable about a shared experience in order to both facilitate and normalize these kinds of discussions.
Speaker

Ashley Hughes, AuD earned her doctorate of audiology from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2014. She works as a Clinical Applications Specialist for Diagnostic Testing Equipment with Interacoustics US, in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. She is the main point of contact in the US for all audiometry, impedance, OAE, hearing aid fitting, and telehealth solutions. Prior to joining Interacoustics, Dr. Hughes first worked clinically and then as a research audiologist for a hearing aid manufacturer. She has served as an invited speaker at state and national conferences and is an author on multiple published articles and posters on topics including real-ear measurements, subjective outcome measures, advocacy, mentorship, negotiations, and more. She is highly involved in the American Academy of Audiology, the American Academy of Audiology Foundation, and her state audiology organization, the Minnesota Academy of Audiology.

Trauma Informed Care -- CANCELLED
2023-05-18 20:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York)
Dues to scheduling conflicts, this event has been cancelled. Communication will be sent if the event is rescheduled in the future.
It is important to understand how unseen barriers can affect access to care in Audiology. This session will explore the topic of trauma, how it relates to equity, trauma-informed care, and ways to implement this approach in the field of Audiology.
Speaker

Brittney Sprouse, AuD, is the director of audiology and a pediatric audiologist at UChicago Medicine. Dr. Sprouse received her Doctorate in Audiology from the Northeast Ohio AuD Consortium (University of Akron) in 2009. Dr. Sprouse is not only an American Board of Audiology Certified audiologist but she also holds the Pediatric Audiology Specialty Certification (PASC). Dr. Sprouse’s clinical interests include electrophysiology; cochlear implants; ototoxicity monitoring; management of special populations; outreach and education. She has been actively involved on the state and national level, including 2019 President of the Illinois Academy of Audiology (ILAA), Past President of the Ohio Academy of Audiology (OAA), additional board and committee positions, and is currently on the board of directors for the American Cochlear Implant Alliance (ACIA).

SAA Super Service Weekend
2023-05-06 - 2023-05-07
National SAA is hosting a Super Service Weekend to kick off May is Better Hearing Month. We encourage you and your local SAA chapter to participate! Plan and host a volunteer or humanitarian event to give back to your community while also promoting safe hearing practices and advocating for the profession of audiology.
Additionally, if your chapter is nationally recognized, and your chapter participates in Super Service Weekend, you can submit your event towards this year’s Chapter Challenge Period 3 tally to receive points for your chapter!
Resources

2022-2023 SAA Chapter Challenge
May is Better Hearing Month
SAA Program Ideas Bank

NSSLHA, SAA, SADA Presents: The OTC Hearing Aid Landscape and Implications for Students
2023-04-27 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
With the implementation of the regulations for over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, the practice landscape for audiologists has assumed a new dimension. Hearing loss has never been simple, but the OTC market adds new layers of complexity. The business models in audiology practices may need to adapt, and practice patterns will adjust to accommodate what likely will be an increased need for patient education and counseling. It will not only be patients with untreated hearing loss who present but potentially those with mistreated hearing loss due to misunderstandings and frustrations with the use of OTC devices on their own. Students in AuD programs can arm themselves with knowledge and experience to prepare for audiology practice.
At the completion of the sessions, participants will be prepared to:

Explain the distinctions of a prescription hearing aid versus an OTC hearing aid
Identify resources available to provide guidance to audiologists and consumers
Describe strategies for maximizing clinical education opportunities to prepare for the implications of OTC hearing aids in audiology practice

Register
Moderators
Gabby Howard, University of Pittsburgh, national NSSLHA
Alexis Leiderman, City University of New York Graduate Center (CUNY), national SAA
Jasmin Rodriguez, California State University Northridge (CSUN), national SADA
Speakers
Cornetta Mosley, AuD, PhD

Cornetta Mosley, AuD, PhD, is an ASHA-certified Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Dallas. She teaches graduate and undergraduate didactic, lab, and clinical courses and advises budding Doctor of Audiology (AuD) students in research and clinical endeavors. Dr. Mosley’s role as an educator is fueled by an interest in translational science. Her lectures emphasize the connection between clinical practices and scientific evidence; they encourage students to employ critical thinking strategies to make evidence-based clinical decisions. Dr. Mosley investigates innovative strategies to improve clinical practices and patient experiences. She engages in research, clinical practices, and service activities to promote healthy aging for older adults with hearing loss. Her research interests include aural rehabilitation, improving access to hearing healthcare, and speech perception in adults who use amplification. She has also served as a clinical supervisor in a university setting, where she engaged in direct patient care across the lifespan. Her clinical interests include aural rehabilitation, adult amplification, and audiologic assessment. She is a Dallas native, avid runner, and alumna of Louisiana State University (B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders) and the University of Washington (AuD/PhD).
Catherine Palmer, PhD

Catherine Palmer, PhD, is the Interim Chair and Professor of the Department of Communication Science Disorders at the University of Pittsburgh and serves as the Director of Audiology for the UPMC Integrated Health System.
In these capacities she teaches graduate-level amplification and practice management courses and supervises students in direct patient care. Dr. Palmer mentors PhD students and conducts research in the areas of auditory learning post hearing aid fitting; the relationship among hearing, cognitive health, and health outcomes; and matching technology to individual needs.
She has published over 90 articles and book chapters in these topic areas as well as provided over 100 national and international presentations. Dr. Palmer is the editor-in-chief of Seminars in Hearing (Thieme) and is a consultant to the National Board of Medical Examiners for hearing related accommodations.
Alicia D.D. Spoor, AuD

Alicia D.D. Spoor, AuD, is President of Designer Audiology, LLC, in Highland, Maryland. She earned her Doctor of Audiology degree from Gallaudet University and completed her fourth-year externship at the Mayo Clinic Arizona. She opened her own practice in 2014 with an unbundled/itemized pricing structure, one of the first in the nation to do so from day one, to benefit the patient and demonstrate the value of the audiologist. Dr. Spoor is a Past President of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) and Maryland Academy of Audiology (MAA); she is the current ADA Advocacy Chair and MAA Legislative Chair. Alicia is a past recipient of ADA’s Craig W. Johnson Advocacy Award and MSU’s College of Communication Arts & Sciences’ Outstanding Alumni.
Dr. Spoor is speaking as a representative of the private practice setting.

Virtual Poster Presentation Practice Session
2023-04-03 12:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
The Research Audiologist Information Support Network (RAISN) is hosting a practice session for students presenting posters at our upcoming AAA annual conference in Seattle, Washington. Students presenting at AAA 2023+HearTECH Expo can sign-up for a twenty-minute timeslot during the practice session being held on Monday, April 3, 2023, 11:00 am-2:00 pm CT (12:00-3:00 pm ET).
The practice session will consist of one to three research audiologists for the student to practice in front of and receive feedback on poster design and layout, wording concepts, and anticipating potential questions about their poster.
Questions can be directed to Margaret Richter, AuD.
Sign Up

National Exam for Audiology Trivia Olympics (NEATO)
2023-03-30 20:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York)
Event Information
Looking for a fun way to study for your audiology national exam? Join us for an hour-long event that will begin with a short presentation by a current extern and new professional providing their recommended timelines and study tips, and end in a game of Kahoot filled with practice questions, discussion opportunities, and friendly competition.
Not sure what to expect? Visit the SAA Facebook page to view our 2020 event.
Count Me In
Zoom links will be sent a few days prior to the event and participants assigned to a trivia group. Registration will close on Tuesday, March 28 at 11:59pm EST.
Please submit questions to Abby Simon.

Resources

Externship Series: Studying Tips
November 2022 Advisors Corner: Study Tips
November 2022 President’s Corner: Study Tips
SAA Blog: Studying Tips for the Winter Months

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Journal Club
2023-03-09 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Join us for a virtual journal club reviewing a recently published research article, meet the article’s first author, and discuss how to advance hearing health equity. Please plan to read the article ahead of time, if possible, and come with your thoughts and questions. Dr. Carrie Nieman, MD, MPH, will join to help facilitate the discussion and answer your questions.
Register
Article: Nieman, C. L., Suen, J. J., Dean, L. T., & Chandran, A. (2022). Foundational Approaches to Advancing Hearing Health Equity: A Primer in Social Epidemiology. Ear and Hearing, 43 (Suppl 1), 5S–14S. https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0000000000001149
This article was published by Ear and Hearing and should be accessible through your school’s library. If you have any issues with accessing the article please email Abby Simon at abigailsimon.saa@gmail.com.
Carrie Nieman, MD, MPH, is an associate professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and co-founder of Access HEARS, a nonprofit committed to the delivery of affordable, accessible hearing care.

Get Certified: A Guide to Audiology Licensing
2023-02-23 20:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York)
Join representatives from the American Board of Audiology, Jackie Clark, PhD, and Rebecca Lewis, AuD, PhD, as they break down and discuss the licensing and certification process. Questions are encouraged!
Scroll to the bottom of the page to access additional resources about licensure and certification.
Register Now
Virtual Education Series Speakers
Jackie Clark, PhD
Dr. Clark joined the UT Dallas Audiology Program in 1996 prior to programmatic restructuring to the AUD. She is currently a Clinical Professor at UT Dallas’ School of Behavioral and Brain Science where she teaches a variety of didactic, clinically experiential and study abroad courses as well as provision of professional clinical services at the UT Dallas Callier Center. In addition, she has been awarded an appointment as Research Scholar with The University of The Witwatersrand School of Speech and Hearing Therapy in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Dr. Clark has been a consultant with a variety of universities in Sub-Saharan Africa and China, as well as over numerous years with the World Health Organization Division of Deafness and Hearing Impairment which recently published the World Report on Hearing along with a number of other WHO publications. When in Texas, she carries a very full teaching load in a wide range of classes. She is a Co-Founder/Co-Director of the Coalition of Global Hearing Health as well as Past President of the American Academy of Audiology and past and Board Member of the American Board of Audiology.

Rebecca Lewis, AuD, PhD
Dr. Lewis currently serves as Chair of the American Board of Audiology, Scientific Grants Program Manager for the American Tinnitus Association, and Co-Chair of the External Relations Committee for the Association for Research in Otolaryngology. Recently, Dr. Lewis served as the Clinical Research Program Manager for Whisper.ai, a startup hearing aid manufacturer in San Francisco, CA, where she worked to develop the world’s first hearing aid that gets better over time. She has also previously served in both clinical and research roles at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
In February 2023, Dr. Lewis looks forward to joining University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, the Program Director of Audiology, and Chief of Audiology to develop a research program while also returning to work as a clinical audiologist again.
Additional Resources

American Academy of Audiology – State Affairs
American Academy of Audiology – State Licensure
American Board of Audiology
Certification 101
SAA Student Resources – Certification

Interview Tips: Q&A Panel
2023-02-15 19:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
This special event will provide audiology students with an opportunity to receive helpful tips and information about interviewing from a panel of professional audiologists. Students will be able to submit questions to the panel via the registration process prior to the live event. Questions will also be welcomed during the session.
Scroll to the bottom to access additional resources covering interviewing skills for jobs and externships.
Hosts
Amanda Brown, BA
Michigan SAA State Ambassador
Amanda Brown is a second-year AuD student at Central Michigan University (CMU) and serves as the 2022-2023 Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) Michigan State Ambassador. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder. In addition to serving as the Michigan State Ambassador, she currently serves as vice president of Central Michigan University SAA Chapter. She is currently researching with Dr. Yunfang Zheng at CMU on combined effects of high frequency hearing loss, fitting formula, and venting on real ear sound level and patient perception. Her primary interests include pediatric vestibular, electrophysiology, and hearing aids.

Rachel Fryatt, AuD
Clinical Audiologist
Michigan Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Audiology
Michigan SAA State Ambassador Mentor
Rachel Fryatt, AuD is a clinical audiologist at Michigan Medicine, specializing in implantable devices and hearing aids. She received her bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University, her masters and audiology doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh, and she completed her externship at the University of Miami.
Dr. Fryatt also teaches undergraduate and graduate courses at Mississippi University for Women. She currently serves as the SAA State Ambassador mentor and is on the board of directors for the Michigan Audiology Coalition. She is also on two committees with the American Academy of Audiology.
Panelists
Gyl Kasewurm, AuD
Owner, Dr Kasewurm’s Professional Hearing Services
Gyl Kasewurm, AuD has owned and operated Professional Hearing Services (PHS) in Saint Joseph, Michigan for many years. The practice is known as a benchmark for the patient experience across the country. Dr Kasewurm has a Master’s Degree from Western Michigan University and went on to receive her Doctorate in Audiology from Central Michigan University. Dr. Kasewurm served on the Executive Board of the American Academy of Audiology for five years and is a Past President of the Michigan Academy of Audiology.
Dr. Kasewurm has earned many awards and honors including a Distinguished Achievement Award from the American Academy of Audiology but is most proud of the Leadership Award that was bestowed upon her by her local Chamber of Commerce. She was also recently honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by the Health and Human Services Department at Western Michigan University, an honor only bestowed on 98 of 17,000 graduates. Dr. Kasewurm is a well-known author and sought after speaker and prides herself on her advice on taking a practice from Fine to Fabulous!

Crystal Pitts, AuD
Audiologist, Externship Coordinator
Michigan Medicine
Crystal Pitts, AuD is a clinical audiologist at Michigan Medicine, specializing in the areas of electrophysiology, intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring, and vestibular assessments. She has an interest in supervising and mentoring audiology doctoral students and has co-coordinated the externship program at Michigan Medicine since 2010. She is a Certificate Holder – Audiology Preceptor (CH-AP) from the American Board of Audiology.
Dr. Pitts has also previously held positions within the Michigan Audiology Coalition (MAC) Conference Planning committee and was elected as a MAC member-at-large from 2016 to 2022. She is currently a member of the MAC Student Outreach committee and co-coordinated the annual Michigan Student Leaders in Audiology Meeting since 2018.

Virginia Ramachandran, AuD, PhD
Head of Audiology
Oticon, Inc.
President, American Academy of Audiology
Virginia Ramachandran, AuD, PhD is the Head of Audiology at Oticon, Inc. She previously spent a decade at the Henry Ford Medical Group as a Senior Staff Clinical Audiologist and Research Coordinator of the Division of Audiology at Henry Ford Hospital and as the Clinical Educational Coordinator of the AuD program at Wayne State University.
Dr. Ramachandran is currently the President of the American Academy of Audiology. She has also served as President of the Michigan Academy of Audiology and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education. Dr. Ramachandran is a co-author of three textbooks and numerous articles and book chapters. She currently serves on the Audiology Editorial Board of Plural Publishing, Inc. Dr. Ramachandran earned her BSW, MSW, AuD, and PhD from Wayne State University. She studied Instructional Systems Development at the University of Maryland – Baltimore County. She completed her certificate program in Animal Audiology at the University of Northern Colorado. She is a Certificate Holder – Audiology Preceptor (CH-AP) from the American Board of Audiology.

Chrisanda Sanchez, AuD
Interim Director, Children’s Hearing Program
University of Miami
Chrisanda Sanchez, AuD is an assistant professor and a clinical audiologist at the University of Miami Ear Institute. She received her Bachelor of Science and Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Florida. Dr. Sanchez works as a bilingual pediatric audiologist and serves as the Interim Director of the Children’s Hearing Program at the Ear Institute. Her clinical specializations include pediatric cochlear implants, diagnostics, hearing aids, and bone anchored devices.
In addition to her clinical scope of practice, Dr. Sanchez serves as an educational audiologist at the UM Debbie School within their Auditory Oral program. Additionally, she works with the local children’s hospital in serving as the pediatric audiology representative for their multi-disciplinary craniofacial team. Dr. Sanchez was awarded the Gail Gegg Rosenberg Award for excellent service and contributions towards advancing the field of pediatric audiology. Dr. Sanchez has presented nationally and internationally on improving the scope and field of pediatric audiology to reflect better diverse patient care.

Gail Whitelaw, PhD
Clinical Associate Professor, Clinic Director
The Ohio State University
Gail M. Whitelaw, PhD, is a Clinical Associate Professor and the Director of the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Her clinical interests are in pediatric audiology, auditory processing issues in both children and adults, tinnitus and sound tolerance issues, and professional leadership. She provides direct patient care and is a preceptor to Doctor of Audiology (AuD) students at Ohio State. She is also the audiology faculty member on the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Disabilities (LEND) grant, a Maternal and Child Health training grant.
Dr. Whitelaw is a past-president of the American Academy of Audiology and the Ohio Academy of Audiology. She currently serves as the Secretary-Treasurer on the Accreditation Council for Audiology Education (ACAE) and serves on the Academy’s Honors and Awards Committee and the Nomination Recruitment Committee. Outside of her professional interests, she does Improv comedy and is always looking for opportunities to combine her love of audiology with her love of improv!
Resources

Applying and Interviewing for a Job with Hearing Loss [PPT]
Be Prepared with Pre and Post Interview Assessments
Externship Blog Series: Nailing the Externship Application and Interview Process
Externship Blog Series: Self-Motivation and Interview Tips (Part 2)
Tips and Tricks – How to Ace that Job Interview

How to Handle Burnout
2023-02-07 21:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York)
As part of our mental health virtual series, Kaitlyn Kennedy, AuD, is hosting a session encompassing the topic of burnout. She will cover several areas within this topic including, student burnout, new professional burnout, signs of burnout, and how to avoid and overcome burnout. She will also share her advice on how to maintain a healthy school/work/life balance.
Virtual Education Series Speaker

Kaitlyn M. Kennedy, AuD
Kaitlyn M. Kennedy, AuD, is an audiologist at Texas Ear Clinic in Fort Worth, Texas, and has been practicing since 2016. She loves all facets of audiology (especially pediatrics) and gets to practice a little bit of everything in her current position. Dr. Kennedy has a passion for improving audiologic counseling and enjoys improving her skills in explaining results and recommendations to patients.
Currently, Dr. Kennedy serves as a member-at-large on the American Academy of Audiology Board of Directors and is the Board liaison to the Student Academy of Audiology.
When not doing something audiology-related, Dr. Kennedy spends time playing frisbee with her toy Australian Shepherd and cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.
Register

Resources

10 Tips to De-stress
Managing Health While in Graduate School

Auditory Processing Disorders: Q&A Session
2023-01-26 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Join Gail Whitelaw, PhD and Shannon Palmer, AuD, PhD, CCC-A for a moderated Q&A session about auditory processing disorders. This session will discuss definitions of auditory processing disorders, differential diagnosis, recommendations, and more.
Bring your questions and prepare for an engaging discussion!
Virtual Education Series Speakers
Gail M. Whitelaw, PhD
Gail M. Whitelaw, PhD is a clinical associate professor and director of the speech-language-hearing clinic and The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
Dr. Whitelaw is committed to exemplary clinical education for doctor of audiology students while providing exceptional clinical care to patients. Her areas of clinical interest include auditory processing disorders (APD) in children and adults, tinnitus and sound tolerance disorders, and issues related to suprathreshold auditory deficits.
Dr. Whitelaw has been involved with leadership aspects in the profession of audiology, including serving as the president of the American Academy of Audiology, chair of the Board of Governors of the American Board of Audiology, and president of the Ohio Academy of Audiology. She is also a Distinguished Audiology Fellow of the National Academies of Practice. Additionally, Dr. Whitelaw received the Outstanding Clinical Educator Award from the American Academy of Audiology in 2019.
Shannon B. Palmer, AuD, PhD, CCC-A
Shannon B. Palmer, AuD, PhD, CCC-A, is a professor and audiology division director in the department of communication and sciences disorders at Central Michigan University.
Dr. Palmer’s research and teaching focus on the areas of pediatric audiology and auditory processing. She has a passion for improving hearing care for children. Clinically, Dr. Palmer works in the areas of pediatric and adult hearing assessment using both behavioral and electrophysiological techniques.
Register Now

Preparing for National Day At Your State Capitol
2023-01-12 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Update
Due to unforeseen circumstances, this VES has been cancelled.
We plan on creating another opportunity to serve as a resource for NDAYSC as well as other advocacy activities. Communications will be sent to SAA members once those resources are available on the SAA website.
In the meantime, please visit our advocacy web page for more information on all things advocacy!

The SAA public outreach committee is challenging you to take advocacy to the next level in your own states by participating in our National Day at Your State Capitol (NDAYSC) campaign. Join national SAA for a virtual training from Susan Pilch, JD, senior director of government relations at the American Academy of Audiology, to learn about legislative updates, tips on communicating with legislators, and more!
About Susan Pilch, JD
Susan Pilch is the senior director of government relations for the American Academy of Audiology. She oversees federal and state regulatory efforts. Join her and the SAA public outreach committee for tips on how to effectively advocate for audiology to your government representatives.

Microaggressions and Implicit Bias in the Clinical Setting
2022-11-17 20:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York)
With less than 4% of the Audiology population being Black/African American, it is often difficult to find representation among audiology leadership roles, preceptors, and students. Joining together to share experiences has helped bring generations of Black/African American Audiologists closer and more prepared for a diverse future.
Virtual Education Series Speaker

Jocelyn Tubbs, AuD
Jocelyn Tubbs, AuD, has been a practicing Audiologist since 2019. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science in communication disorders at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. She then attended Pacific University in Hillsboro, Oregon, where she completed her Doctorate of Audiology. Dr. Tubbs currently practices at Hearing Healthcare Centers in Colorado. She has such a fiery passion for Audiology that she wrote a children’s book, A Sound Adventure, to help teach younger generations and their parents about how hearing works. She also holds a passion for justice for minorities. Dr. Tubbs is the co-founder of the group, “Black Audiologists United”, a Facebook group and growing community of Black Audiologists and students. She has been active in discussion about the hardships and discrimination many Black and People of Color face as audiologists and in the healthcare field in general. Her goal is to help increase representation among leadership roles within Audiology, and to inspire others to do the same.
Register Now
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources
The American Academy of Audiology and the Student Academy of Audiology are committed to furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the audiology profession through diversity and cultural competency. Learn more about the resources that students and professionals can use to educate themselves on different topics related to diversity and inclusion below.
SAA Resources Academy Resources

A Brief History of Medicare and Audiology and Everything Else: Why Is It So Hard To Change Anything?
2022-10-27 20:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York)
In this lecture, Angela Loavenbruck, EdD, will trace the passage of the Medicare Law in 1965 with the developments in the profession of audiology as well as current attempts to make changes to the law.
Virtual Education Series Speaker

Angela Loavenbruck, EdD
Angela Loavenbruck, EdD was in private practice in Rockland County, New York, from 1976-2020. She is the author of numerous articles and, along with Jane Madell, PhD, wrote the first textbook about hearing aid dispensing for audiologists. Dr. Loavenbruck received a Doctorate of Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She went on to serve as the Director of Audiology Clinic at Teachers College and Associate Professor for that program.

Dr. Loavenbruck has served on many boards and committees for several state and national organizations. She served has served as president for the American Academy of Audiology and the New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Association as well as serving as the first chair for the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education.
Dr. Loavenbruck has been a prominent figure in the development of standards and ethics for the audiology profession, and in lobbying for direct access to professional audiology services for Medicare patients. Most recently, in 2019, Dr. Loavenbruck was awarded the Honors of the Academy by the American Academy of Audiology for her work on behalf of audiologists and individuals with hearing impairment.
Register Now

Applying to Grad School Panel
2022-10-03 21:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Join the SAA member relations committee for a live Q&A with current AuD students to ask questions and learn more about graduate school and the application process.
More information will be forthcoming!
Register by October 3.

The Innovation of Audiology
2022-06-29 18:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Virtual
In this lecture, Dave Fabry, PhD, will discuss his expert knowledge of innovative concepts in audiology.
Virtual Education Series Speaker

Dave Fabry, PhD
Dave Fabry, PhD is the Chief Innovation Officer at Starkey Industries as well as former President and Board Member of the American Academy of Audiology. In this lecture, Dr. Fabry will be discussing his role at Starkey, the merging of both hearing science and technology, and where the future of audiology is headed.

Register Now

The Kids Are (NOT) Alright: Tools for Supporting a Healthy Experience in the AuD Program
2022-04-19 19:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
Although being in a doctoral program has always been stressful, the past few years have stretched students in ways that have not been realized in the past. Online courses, financial concerns, and illness are only some of the things that have impacted clinical education. Audiology is a profession that is transforming before our eyes and these changes can revolutionize clinical education. This session is designed to briefly address the areas of challenge, but more specifically address tools and opportunities to address creating a mentally healthy environment. Engaging faculty and clinical preceptors as part of a mental health team will be highlighted.
Register in advance for this webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. If you have any issues registering or have questions about this session, please contact Rachael Sifuentes, MA, CAE.
Virtual Education Series Speaker
Gail Whitelaw, PhD
More information to come!

SAA Conference 2022
2022-03-30 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Mexico_City) | America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO, 63110, United States
The SAA Conference provides in-depth and hands-on education and experiences to supplement audiology program curriculum offered across the nation. Past topics have included ototoxicity, auditory brain stem implants, pediatrics, cochlear implant candidacy, vestibular testing, salary negotiating, networking opportunities, and more.
Check the SAA Conference pages soon for updates regarding planned topic areas.
Registration and housing are open for SAA members.
Register Now
Sponsored by:

APD: A Daily Disconnection
2021-12-13 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
The SAA Virtual Education Series is a series of student-oriented sessions focused on a variety of topics with the goal of enhancing clinical skills through evidence-based practice. For this session, Angela Loucks Alexander, AuD will be discussing what Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is, how it presents, and current treatment options.
Registration for this event is required. Register by Thursday, December 9 to receive a Zoom meeting link.
Virtual Education Series Speaker
Dr. Alexander is an audiologist in Taupo, New Zealand, and the creator of the Auditory Processing Institute. She earned her AuD in 2010 from the University of Kansas. Dr. Alexander has a passion for working with individuals who experience Auditory Processing Disorder, and values managing her practice, Hear Better Audiology.

How to Be Your Preceptor’s Favorite Student
2021-11-08 20:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York)
The SAA Virtual Education Series is a series of student-oriented sessions focused on a variety of topics with the goal of enhancing clinical skills through evidence-based practice. During this session, Dr. Cockburn will discuss her experiences as a clinical preceptor providing insight about the qualities that make a productive and effective student clinician.
Registration for this event is required. Register by Wednesday, November 3 to receive a Zoom meeting link.
Virtual Education Series Speaker

Lindsay Cockburn, AuD is an audiologist in Los Angeles, California and the creator of the blog and brand Listen With Lindsay. She earned her BA in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Central Florida and her AuD at the University of Florida in 2012. Dr. Cockburn previously worked as a pediatric audiologist at the world famous John Tracy Center for eight years. In her current role as Clinical Coordinator for the Doctor of Audiology program at California State University, Northridge, she teaches AuD students clinical skills and finds and secures off-campus clinical experiences. Her clinical interests include pediatric audiology.
Dr. Cockburn created Listen With Lindsay to connect with parents of children who are deaf and hard of hearing and professionals to create an online community to support and encourage one another. Her goal is to share audiology, technology, and educational information in a relatable way that feels like it is from a friend. You can check out her audiology blog at www.listenwithlindsay.com . Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @ListenWithLindsay for lots of quick tips, breakdowns of new research, audiology quizzes, and #NieceContent. Lindsay’s other passions include The Real Housewives and Trader Joes.

Pediatric Cochlear Implant Referral Guidelines
2021-10-18 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
The SAA Virtual Education Series is a series of student-oriented sessions focused on a variety of topics with the goal of enhancing clinical skills through evidence-based practice. For this session, Dr. Andrea Warner-Czyz will be discussing her latest research on referral guidelines in children with cochlear implants.
Registration for this event is required. Register by Tuesday, October 12 to receive a Zoom meeting link.
Virtual Education Series Speaker

Dr. Andrea Warner-Czyz is currently an associate professor at the University of Texas at Dallas. Her research interests include identifying risk and protective factors that influence the quality of life in infants, children, and adolescents with hearing loss and in those who wear cochlear implants.

Ask Me About Audiology Campaign
2021-10-18 - 2021-10-23
The “Ask Me About Audiology” Campaign (AMAA) is entering its seventh year October 18-23, 2021. SAA chapters across the nation have held local AMAA events, such as passing out earplugs at sporting events, setting up a booth in a farmer’s market, and conducting interviews of SAA members for a social media series! AMAA has easily become a Fall semester staple for many local SAA chapters, the campaign seeks to empower students to educate members of the local community about hearing healthcare, the impact of hearing loss/noise exposure, and the profession of audiology.
Organizer: Jasmin Rodriguez

Advocacy in Audiology Virtual Session
2021-06-22 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Session Abstract: This advocacy presentation will provide attendees with the latest updates on federal legislative and regulatory issues impacting the profession of audiology. Some of the topics covered will include the latest prognosis on the Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act (the joint audiology bill), the ongoing debate regarding Medicare expansion to include hearing, vision, and dental services, and the status of OTC hearing aid regulations. This presentation will also provide an update on the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Licensure Compact (ASLP-IC) as well as other high-impact legislation that was considered in the states earlier this year pertaining to hearing aids, audiology assistants, and board structure.
Speaker: Susan Pilch, JD, Senior Director of Government Relations for the American Academy of Audiology
Registration is required for this event. Fill out the registration form by Saturday, June 19, 2021.
Interested in learning more about the Academy’s advocacy efforts? Visit the Academy’s Legislative Action Center to learn about legislative priorities and read up on all the latest government relations news!
Susan currently serves as the Senior Director of Government Relations for the American Academy of Audiology and oversees federal and state legislative and regulatory efforts. Over the course of her career, Susan has represented numerous participants in the healthcare system—both at the state and federal level including speech-language pathologists/audiologists, pharmaceutical wholesalers, community pharmacies and hospitals. As a result of this experience, she has significant experience on a wide range of issues including state licensure, reimbursement, contractual and policy-related insurance coverage issues, Medicare and Medicaid and patient access to services and care. In addition, Susan has worked extensively with public and commercial payers as well as with patient advocacy groups and industry partners.
