Former First Lady Barbara Bush to Present Keynote Address
(ROCKVILLE, MD) More than 10,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists and scientists are expected to gather in New Orleans, LA, November 15-18, for the annual convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to discuss the latest issues and developments in the treatment of communication disorders.
The convention will offer 1,500 sessions exploring technological and scientific advances in the diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders and highlighting the findings of some of the nation's top researchers. Among the topics to be discussed at this year's convention are functional brain imaging in communication disorders; the pros and cons of cochlear implantation in young children; early intervention for stuttering; Louisiana and American dialects; noise and children; accent modification; benefits of digital hearing aids; and the motion picture industry's portrayal of individuals with communication disorders.
Keynote speakers for the convention will include former First Lady Barbara Bush and actress Marlee Matlin. Matlin will be presented ASHA's Media Award in Appreciation for International Communications during a ceremony Friday night.
More than 250 companies in the speech and hearing industries will display their products, publications, and services in the ASHA Exhibit Hall. The Exhibit Hall will be open from 12 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, November 16, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 17.
The Press Room will be located in Room 232 of the Ernst N. Morial Convention Center. Members of the media who wish to register for the convention or would like more information regarding specific sessions may contact Mona Thomas (301-897-0156 or mthomas@asha.org) or Mike Rick (301-897-7351 or mrick@asha.org).
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 103,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems including swallowing disorders.
