March 2024 Advisors Corner

One of my favorite experiences from graduate school is right around the corner with AAA 2024+HearTECH Expo happening in Atlanta, Georgia from April 17-20. While you will learn a lot in the classroom and in your clinical placements, the many benefits of attending AAA’s annual conference are well worth the conference costs.

The national SAA Programs Committee has been hard at work to plan the SAA Conference, as well as other student-focused programming at AAA 2024+HearTECH Expo. The SAA Conference is an event just for students on Wednesday, April 17 from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM EDT. Registration is only $45 and can be added to general conference registration. The conference covers topics such as grand rounds, externships, counseling strategies, and intraoperative monitoring.

All students have the opportunity to celebrate 15 years of SAA at the SAA Mix and Mingle from 4:00-5:30 PM EDT on Wednesday, April 17. Enjoy food and drinks while connecting with other audiology students from across the country. The SAA Conference and the SAA Mix and Mingle are generously sponsored by Starkey.

For an additional opportunity to connect with other students and professionals, purchase a $45 ticket to the AAA Foundation Happy Hour, which will take place later in the evening on April 17 from 7:00-8:30 PM EDT. This is a great networking opportunity for students and professionals alike and supports the AAA Foundation’s mission of promoting education, research, and public awareness in audiology and hearing sciences.

The national SAA Students with Hearing Loss Subcommittee will be hosting two meetings at the AAA annual conference. If you are a student with hearing loss, I strongly encourage you to attend the students-only meeting on Thursday, April 18 at 9:00 AM EDT. There will be a second networking session for students and audiologists with hearing loss later that same day at 1:15 PM EDT. For more information or any questions you may have, contact Gelsey Lee, the current chair for the national SAA Students with Hearing Loss Subcommittee.

Take advantage of the AAA Conference Online Conference Planner to create a personal schedule based on the presentations you are interested in. Other great opportunities at the conference include the Professional Headshot Studio, Paws and Relax (where you can enjoy some cuddles from some sweet pups!), and the Audiology’s Night Out at the World of Coca-Cola. We cannot wait to see you in Atlanta!

Audrey Taylor, AuD
SAA Advisory Committee Chair