Reston, VA - January 12, 2012 - The American Board of Audiology® is pleased to announce the 13 audiologists who recently earned the Pediatric Audiology Specialty Certification (PASC) credential. A listing of the Class of 2011 PASC certificants can be found below.

Arlene Balestra-Marko, AuD – Syracuse, NY
Charlene E. Cordes, MA – Ft. Wayne, IN
Virginia M. Corley, PhD – Sumter, SC
Darcia M. Dierking, AuD – Chicago, IL
Susan G. Dreith, AuD – Denver, CO
Brian J. Fligor, ScD – Boston, MA
Melissa A. Garafalo, AuD – Palo Alto, CA 
Deborah Hayes, PhD – Centennial, CO
Kimberly C. Keane, AuD – Utica, NY
Patricia M. Mauceri, AuD – Boston, MA
Jessica R. Stich-Hennen, AuD – Boise, ID
Sheetal S. Vyas, AuD – Miami, FL
Jamie C. Zerr, AuD – Denver, CO 

To earn the PASC credential, candidates must first submit an application satisfying professional experience and education requirements. Successful applicants must next pass a challenging examination that covers seven pediatric audiology knowledge domains: Laws and Regulations, Hearing and Hearing Loss, Child Development, Screening and Assessment Procedures, Counseling, Communication Enhancement Technology, and Habilitation/Rehabilitation Strategies. Only those who are able to achieve the designated examination score earn the PASC credential. Once earned, the certification must be renewed every three years through 60 hours of continuing education, 30 of which must be specific to pediatric audiology.

Launched in 2011, the PASC was developed to elevate professional standards in audiology, enhance individual performance, and recognize those professionals who have acquired specialized knowledge in the field of pediatric audiology. An esteemed group of pediatric audiologists served as subject matter experts and worked in conjunction with a nationally recognized measurement consulting firm, Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO), to develop the new specialty program under the auspices of the American Board of Audiology®.

“The PASC is a mark of professional distinction and reflects an individual’s thorough understanding of what it takes to practice in pediatric audiology in today’s environment,” said Gail Whitelaw, Chair of the American Board of Audiology. “These individuals are to be commended for their commitment to the audiology profession and their drive to continue to pursue knowledge needed to make them effective pediatric audiologists in their practices.” 

The ABA will offer subsequent examinations in pediatrics on April 1, 2012, in Boston, MA, and on October 13, 2012, in Denver, CO. To apply for the Pediatric Audiology Specialty Certification, visit www.americanboardofaudiology.org or contact Keri Murphy, Certification Manager, at 703.226.1057, kmurphy@audiology.org. 


About the American Board of Audiology®

The American Board of Audiology® (ABA), an autonomous organization, is dedicated to enhancing audiologic services to the public by promulgating universally recognized standards in professional practice. The ABA encourages audiologists to exceed these prescribed standards, thereby promoting a high level of professional development and ethical practice. The Pediatric Audiology Specialty Certification (PASC) is a voluntary certification program administered by audiologists for audiologists by the ABA.

Rockville, MD - January 03, 2012 - Shelly Chabon, PhD, CCC-SLP is the new president of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Dr. Chabon, who took office January 1 and will serve for one year, is professor and chair of the Speech and Hearing Sciences department, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon. She specializes in ethics education and multicultural/bilingual issues in communication disorders. Most recently, her writing has focused on topics related to ethical and evidence-based practice.

"The critical role communication plays in daily life is continually being shown to us," Dr. Chabon observes. "You see this everywhere, from Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' inspiring recovery to a recent AARP ASHA poll in which AARP members attached great importance to their hearing health."

"Nationwide, ASHA members care for millions who are in similar situations and who feel the same way," Dr. Chabon says. "I feel honored and excited to have the opportunity to lead an organization that represents professionals whose work makes such great positive differences in so many lives."

An ASHA Fellow, Dr. Chabon has been a volunteer leader on ASHA committees, boards, and councils. In addition, she has been honored for her work in the areas of higher education and diversity and for her volunteerism.

Dr. Chabon earned a BA degree from Brooklyn College, a master's in speech-language pathology from Penn State University, a master's in audiology from Towson University, and a PhD from the University of Pittsburgh.

"I plan to use my presidency to reach out to ASHA members and other stakeholders," Dr. Chabon adds. "I see that as a way to build concerted efforts that maintain the high professional standards that ASHA sets and promotes, and address new challenges that include not only serving increasingly diverse populations, but also making ASHA members better informed and prepared to serve them.

"I welcome the challenges for I see my ASHA presidency as a way to give back to the very rewarding career that I have enjoyed."

Dr. Chabon succeeds Paul R. Rao, PhD, CCC-SLP, Vice President of Operations and Compliance at National Rehabilitation Hospital, Washington, DC.

About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 145,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems including swallowing disorders.www.asha.org/.

Taken from http://www.asha.org/About/news/Press-Releases/2012

Los Angeles -  January 9, 2012 - As part of its 2012 NAMM Winter Show activities, the House Research Institute (HRI) [NAMM booth 1292, Hall E] will host special guest Uncle Joe Benson of Los Angeles’ KLOS radio on Saturday, January 21st from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Anaheim Convention Center. The popular radio announcer and entertainer will be on hand to greet booth attendees while discussing the importance of maintaining healthy hearing and hearing loss protection.

Since 1980, Uncle Joe’s voice has been heard by millions of listeners across Southern California, and his “Off The Record” music/interview program is syndicated on over 90 stations nationwide. As a radio personality on KLOS, his broadcasts reach nearly three million people across southern California.

KLOS has been serving the greater Los Angeles area for over 40 years, and has also made a positive impact through its continued community outreach efforts. The station still owns the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest blood drive in the country and was presented the Crystal Award for its exemplary community service.

“Healthy hearing is a topic that deserves much broader attention — especially within the music community,” commented Uncle Joe. “This year at NAMM, we are happy to help put the spotlight on the topic of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) to educate folks not only on how fragile our hearing is, but also on the measures we can take to protect it and preserve it.”

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is usually painless, progressive, permanent, and completely preventable. It happens when a person is exposed for too long of a time to sound pressure levels of 85 decibels or more, resulting in damage to the sensorineural (“hair”) cells of the inner ear. It can be the result of exposing your ears to a sudden, intense impulse noise like an explosion or gunfire or extended or repeated exposure to loud machinery and recreational activities, such as loud music and video.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 36 million American adults report some degree of hearing loss; an estimated 26 million of them between the ages of 20 and 69 have a high-frequency hearing loss caused by too much exposure to loud sound.

About the House Research Institute

The House Research Institute, formerly the House Ear Institute, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with hearing loss and related disorders through scientific research, patient care, and the sharing of knowledge. Institute scientists research the auditory system, at the level of function, as well as at the cellular, molecular and genetic levels. We also explore the neurological interactions between the auditory system and brain, and study ways to improve auditory implants, diagnostics, clinical treatments and intervention methods. We share our knowledge with the scientific and medical communities as well as the general public through our education and outreach programs. For more information about the House Research Institute, please call (800) 388-8612 or (213) 483-4431, E-mail info@hei.org or visit www.houseresearch.org.