Dawna Lewis, PhD

Dawna Lewis, PhD, a senior research associate at Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, Neb, has won the 2008 Cheryl DeConde Johnson award for Outstanding Achievement in Educational and Pediatric Audiology.

The award was introduced 2 years ago by Phonak, to honor educational and pediatric audiologists for their work and commitment to advocate and improve communication and academic outcomes for children. 

The company says Lewis has opened the eyes of educational and clinical audiologists natiowide regarding the necessity of appropriate fitting and verification of hearing aids and FM devices, and that her research has strongly influenced professional practice, underlining the need for classroom hearing technology and professionals who know how to recommend, fit, and maintain the technology so children can access verbal instruction to the best of their abilities.

Lewis’ achievements include:
•    Numerous publications on pediatric audiology/amplification and assistive listening devices, including FM systems
•    Editor’s Award from the American Journal of Audiology for two 1994 articles on assistive technology in the classroom.  
•    2006 Folsom Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation Award from the University of Nebraska.  
•    Served on the steering committee for ASHA Special Interest Division 9, Hearing and Hearing Disorders in Childhood, the Joint Committee of ASHA and the Council of Education of the Deaf, and the Research and Creative Endeavors Committee of EAA.
•    Served as an associate editor for Language, Speech and Hearing Services in Schools and on the editorial Board of Seminars in Hearing
•    Recently appointed to the Pediatric Advisory Council of the Better Hearing Institute.

Headquartered near Zurich, Switzerland, Phonak has developed, produced, and globally distributed hearing systems and wireless devices for more than 50 years. Phonak US headquarters is in Warrenville, Ill.