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 The AAAF “Rounds Up” support in Dallas

The American Academy of Audiology Foundation (AAAF) continued to “round up” support for its programs in research, education and public awareness during AudiologyNOW!® in Dallas. The AAAF’s fiscal year ends June 30, and several special convention events gave Academy members and industry friends a chance to help us meet our annual fundraising goals.

The Auction 4 Audiology opened at high noon on April 1st and featured fabulous donations from Academy members, state academies, exhibitors and other friends. Later that evening, over 200 gathered for drinks, hors d’oeurves and jazz at the beautiful and historic Union Station for the Happy Hour-and-a-Half fundraiser that’s annually underwritten by HearUSA Hearing Care Network. Brad Stach, AAAF Board Chair, interrupted the entertainment to acknowledge Foundation donors, and was surprised by the announcement that a special gift had been made in recognition the publication of his book and “his service to the AAAF, the Academy and the profession of audiology” by Delmar/Cengage Learning.

AudiologyNOW! also provides the AAAF board with a platform to share the funding successes made possible because of Annual Fund gifts from Academy members. Encouraged by the growing list of programmatic opportunities funded by the AAAF, many AudiologyNOW! attendees visited the AAAF booth to make contributions.

“It’s heartening to see so many audiologists contributing to the Annual Fund with gifts both large and small,” stated Dianne Meyer, incoming chair of the AAAF Board. “In spite of all the dismal news about the economy, people seem to understand that all gifts, no matter their size, make a difference when we’re working to fund great projects… and that all gifts are greatly appreciated and will go a long way to help us meet our annual goal for the year.”

Other AAAF highlights from AudiologyNOW! included:
James Jerger’s personal delivery of the 2009 Jerger Awards for Excellence in Student Research to three very surprised and delighted young researchers at the Poster Presentation reception on April 3rd.

A fascinating update on the most recent developments in cochlear implants presented to a “standing room only” crowd at the Marion Downs Lecture in Pediatric Audiology by world-renowned neurotologist (and former semi-pro baseball player!), Richard Miyamoto, MD. The Lecture also featured a special announcement regarding the future of this annual featured session.

The Hearing with our Hearts™ benefit fundraiser held “in concert” with Oticon, Inc. that featured heart-ballot voting at the Oticon booth… and a performance by rock ‘n’ roll legends, Joan Jett and The Black Hearts, in front of a packed house of appreciative fans on April 2nd.

Special acknowledgement of the generous corporate supporters of the ABA’s Cochlear Implant Specialty Certification (Cochlear Americas, Advanced Bionics and Med-El Corporation) and Pediatric Audiology Specialty Certification (Starkey Laboratories and Phonak Hearing Systems) at the Honors and Awards Banquet on the occasion of the ABA’s Tenth Anniversary.

Recognition of donors Dr. and Mrs. Sadandand Singh of Plural Publishing at the Student Research Forum where five young researchers had the opportunity to discuss recent research in the hearing sciences.

The first ARC Student Scholarships, funded in part by Widex Hearing Aid Company, awarded to nine students attending the inaugural day-long conference on otoacoustic emissions, which featured a presentation by the discover of OAEs, David Kemp.

Two Texas high school students presented with an award for their science fair projects as part of a joint partnership between the AAAF and the Texas Academy of Audiology. Learn more about this initiative encouraging the next-generation of audiologists and how your state academy can get involved.