800px-Nashville_collage_2009 AAA 2018, formerly AudiologyNOW!, is just a little more than a month away! The world’s largest gathering of audiologists will be held April 18-21 at the Music City Center in Nashville, where the Academy will celebrate its 30th Anniversary. The annual meeting provides participants the opportunity to attend four days of educational sessions, explore the latest in hearing technology, and network with colleagues from around the world.

The convention kicks off on Wednesday, April 18, with the Academy Research Conference (ARC). This year’s ARC topic is “Genetics and Hearing Loss”, a one-day translational conference chaired by Kathleen Arnos, PhD. Wednesday also features the Judith Gravel Lecture presented by Charles Limb, MD, followed by the Celebrate Audiology Opening Reception in the exhibit hall at 5-7:30 PM.

Thursday starts at 8 AM with the Academy’s General Assembly and keynote speaker Jeff Goldsmith, PhD, who will present “A Glimpse Into the Future of Audiology and Health Care.” Numerous educational opportunities will be offered, including a panel discussion on trends in audiology, industry updates, featured sessions and grand rounds, and a poster session. The exhibit hall will be open from 10 AM to 6 PM. Additionally, the Academy Membership Meeting is held in Thursday morning, with the evening featuring the Honors and Awards Banquet and International Reception.

Similarly, Friday provides a wealth of educational opportunities for attendees, ranging from featured sessions to an event devoted to novel technologies. Exceptional learning opportunities include “The Great Debate: Is the Future of Audiology Retail or Medical?”, the always-popular “Hearing Aids in Review” with Gus Mueller, Catherine Palmer, and Robert Turner, and the Marion Downs Lecture in Pediatric Audiology. The exhibit hall will be open from 9 AM until its final closing at 3 PM.

Saturday, April 21, offers more featured sessions and learning modules, as well as the Third Annual Clinical Education Forum, the Student Academy of Audiology Conference, and the Office Staff Workshop.

Here is an abbreviated schedule. All events and times are subject to change. Also, make sure to check the AAA website and conference guide for updates. For the full schedule and registration, visit: www.audiology.org

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18

8:30 am–6:00 pm: Academy Research Conference: Genetics and Hearing Loss ($)

8:30 am–12:00 pm:  Labs ($)

  • Public Relations Media Training
  • Cerumen Management Workshop: Navigating Your Way Out of a Sticky Situation
  • Demystifying Approaches to Cochlear Implant Management
  • An Ounce of Prevention: Music, Noise, and Hearing Conservation in Your Clinic
  • Trust but Verify: Building Upon Hearing Aid Verification Basics
  • What’s New in Balance Function Testing?

8:30 am–12:30 pm: New Professionals in Audiology Conference

8:30 am–12:30 pm: Advocacy Workshop

12:00–12:45 pm: First-Time Attendee Orientation

12:30–3:30 pm: Symposium: ReSound

1:00–4:00 pm: Featured Sessions and Grand Rounds (Tier 1)

1:00–4:30 pm: Learning Modules

4:00–5:00 pm Exhibit Hall Sneak Peek (Invitation Only)

4:00–5:00 pm: Student Academy of Audiology Mix and Mingle

4:00–5:00 pm: Learning Module: Judith Gravel Lecture with Dr Limb

5:00–7:30 pm: Celebrate Audiology Opening Reception in the Exhibit Hall

6:00–7:00 pm: University Open Houses

7:00–8:30 pm: A Foundation Happy Hour Benefit

8:00–11:00 pm: Student Academy of Audiology Cheers for Ears Benefit

 

THURSDAY, APRIL 19

8:00–9:45 am: AAA General Assembly: A Glimpse Into the Future of Audiology and Health Care, presented by Jeff Goldsmith, PhD

9:00 am–5:00 pm: HearCareers Employment Center Open

10:00–11:00 am: Panel Discussion: Current Trends in Audiology

10:00 am–6:00 pm: Exhibit Hall Open

10:15 am–12:30 pm: Research Podiums and Exhibitor Courses

11:15 am-12:00 pm: Academy Membership Meeting

12:00 am–1:30 pm: Product Theater

12:30–1:30 pm: Student Academy of Audiology Membership Meeting

1:00–3:00 pm: Industry Updates

1:30–2:30 pm: Poster Presentations

3:00–5:30 pm: Learning Modules

3:00–6:00 pm: Featured Sessions and Grand Rounds (Tier 1)

5:00–6:30 pm: ABA Certificant Mixer

7:00–8:30 pm: Honors and Awards Banquet($)

7:00–9:00 pm: Pedal for the PAC($)

8:30–9:30 pm: International Reception

 

FRIDAY, APRIL 20

6:00–7:00 am: Sunrise Yoga($)

7:30–11:00 am: Learning Modules

8:00–11:00 am: Featured Sessions and Grand Rounds (Tier 1)

9-11 am: Panel Discussion: Is the Future of Audiology Retail or Medical?

9-11 am: Marion Downs Pediatric Lecture

9 am–3:00 pm: Exhibit Hall Open

11:15–11:45 am: Research Podiums

11:30 am–1:00 pm: Novel Technologies

12–1:00 pm: Research Podiums and Exhibitor Courses

1–2:30 pm: Student Research Forum

1–3:00 pm: Industry Updates

1:30–2:30 pm: Poster Presentations

3-5 PM: Hearing Aids in Review 2017

3:00–5:30 pm Learning Modules

3:00–6:00 pm Featured Sessions and Grand Rounds (Tier 1)

8:00–11:00 pm: Night in Nashville at the Wildhorse Saloon ($)

 

SATURDAY, APRIL 21

6–7 am: Zumba($)

8–11 am: Featured Sessions (Tier 1)

8–11:30 am: Learning Modules

8 am–12:00 pm: Third Annual Clinical Education Forum Hosted by ACAE and CAPCSD

8:00 am–2:00 pm: Student Academy of Audiology Conference ($)

8:30–11:30 am: Office Staff Workshop($)

 

($) paid event/pre-registration required

Image: Wikipedia