A great convention, but nothing's perfect

Figure. David: H. KirkwoodAudiologyNOW! 2007, the American Academy of Audiology's 19th Annual Convention, was about as good as professional meetings get. It was filled with opportunities for audiologists to learn, interact with one another, and renew their enthusiasm and pride in what they do. There were many great things about the meeting, which you can read about further on in this issue. Certainly one highlight was the terrific turnout—more than 7000 people, including the largest gathering of audiologists ever. The academy deserves special credit for expanding the community service component of the convention. Some of the brightest moments occurred during the General Assembly, including Marion Downs's delightful welcoming remarks and the inspired rap, Turn it to the Left. The talks by the president, Paul Pessis, AuD, and president-elect, Alison Grimes, AuD, showed that academy's leadership is in good hands. Especially welcome was Dr. Grimes's call for action in response to the critical shortage of audiologists. A SOUR NOTE In the midst of all that was positive in Denver, there was one sour note, at least in my opinion. In her otherwise excellent speech, Dr. Grimes referred approvingly to the academy's effort to have state licensing boards and attorneys general ban the use of the term “audioprosthologist,” which she described as “mean- ingless” and “suspiciously similar” to “audiologist.” She predicted, “This audioprosthologist bear [a reference to the recurring bear theme at AudiologyNOW!] will hibernate forever.” Her prediction made for a good applause line, and it may even come true, though I doubt it. But whether the effort succeeds or fails, it is not a just cause nor one worthy of audiology or the academy. Apparently AAA views audioprosthologist as a term made up by hearing instrument specialists to fool unwary consumers into thinking they are audiologists. However, the facts show otherwise. Far from “meaningless,” the term has a clear and well-established meaning. The audiologist James Delk, in the 1983 edition of his landmark dictionary of audiology, defined it as “a hearing aid fitting specialist,” specifically one who has completed the course given by the American Conference of Audioprosthology (ACA). In 1997, when Brad Stach, PhD, a founder and former president of AAA, compiled his excellent Comprehensive Dictionary of Audiology for The Hearing Journal, he defined an audioprosthologist as “a person credentialed in the fitting and dispensing of hearing aids.” Harold Williams, EdD, originally a speech-language pathologist, and Bob Briskey, MA, an audiologist, founded ACA in 1976 with the laudable goal of offering continuing education to hearing aid dispensers. Those who completed the program earned the designation of audioprosthologist, a term derived from Latin and Greek for one trained in the science of fitting prostheses for hearing. Hearing aid dispensers in France and Quebec go by a similar term, “audioprothésistes.” ACA's intent from the start has been to improve dispenser training, not to deceive the public, and I've heard no evidence of consumers mistaking audioprosthologists for audiologists—or vice versa. Today, ACA operates under the aegis of the International Hearing Society, and is supervised by a committee chaired by Patricia Connelly, PhD, director of audiology at University Hospital in Newark, NJ. To earn the ACA credential dispensers must attend classes 2 days a month over 13 months and pass courses in such subjects as physiology of the auditory system, acoustics, and business practices. State licensure laws need to be revised to recognize audiology as a doctoral profession. However, audiologists should not use this a pretext to chip away at the rights of other licensed professionals. Indeed, given all that audiology has going for it, I do not understand why some still want to waste resources on turf battles. Today's new doctors of audiology enter the field better trained and equipped than any before them to meet the public's hearing and balance needs. What's more, those needs are growing at an unprecedented pace. Surely, if audiologists work hard and are dedicated to their patients' well being, they will achieve the success they deserve, even if they must co-exist with the “audioprosthologist bear.”

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