The American Academy of Audiology Foundation (AAAF), Reston, Va, reports that Starkey Laboratories Inc, Eden Prairie, Minn, will donate $40,000 to provide philanthropic funding for Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) educational programs and networking activities at AudiologyNOW! 2010 in San Diego.

Supporting and mentoring audiology students has been a priority for Starkey for many years, says a statement released by AAAF.

When the SAA was established last spring, the AudiologyNOW! 2009 program committee collaborated with student leadership to develop student-focused activities. The 2010  committee is working with student representatives to build on last year’s successes, says the statement. Tentative events planned for San Diego include a student educational track, PhD networking breakfast, Audiology Unplugged, and Student Academy Central. These and other activities will be supported with the funding from the AAAF and Starkey.

The AAAF raises funds and support for programs of excellence in research, education, and public awareness in audiology and the hearing sciences, says the statement. The AAAF works closely with the American Academy of Audiology to fund promising research grants, to sponsor educational opportunities for audiologists and other hearing professionals, and to increase public understanding of the causes, treatments, and prevention of hearing loss.

[Source: AAAF]