Question
What is the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) doing to better serve the needs of audiologists and the hearing impaired beyond the borders of the USA?
Answer
In the year 2000, an International Task Force was formed by Dr. Robert Glaser, then-president of the AAA, to determine the major international issues facing or profession.
It was determined that we needed more international members to address utilization of the vast resources of the AAA, and to facilitate better audiology-based services across the world. Additionally, it was thought that liaisons with other groups already doing productive work in this area, such as the World Health Organization, Australian Society of Audiology and others, would be extremely helpful to coordinate -- not duplicate -- existing efforts to upgrade hearing care services worldwide.
To facilitate these goals, the International Committee of the AAA was established. The International Committee is co-chaired by Dr. Robert Traynor (USA) and David Baguley (England). They have called upon 14 AAA members and colleagues from all over the world to be members of the first AAA International committee. The first meeting will be in San Diego at the AAA Convention, April 18, 2001.
If you have, or would like to have input, as we begin the AAA's international efforts, please respond to Audiology Online Ask the Expert and/or join us at Audiology Online National Chat for an ''International Issues'' chat April 3, 2001 at 8:00 PM Central Time.
BIO:
Dr. Robert M. Traynor is International Audiology Consultant for Bernafon A/G, Bern, Switzerland and Owner/Senior Certified Audiologist at Audiology
Associates of Greeley, Inc. in Greeley, CO. As an Adjunct Professor he also teaches the Business and Professional Issues course for the University of Florida Doctor of Audiology Program.
Visit the Bernafon website