This specialty certification is critically important to the audiology profession's success in developing effective newborn hearing screening and intervention programs. Now that most newborns are screened for hearing, the families of referred infants need to be able to quickly identify pediatric audiologists with the requisite knowledge to fully and appropriately take part in successful hearing habilitation efforts.
Brad Stach, Chair of the Foundation Board, announced "...the AAA Foundation is delighted to embark on this exciting partnership with both Phonak and the ABA in this effort to enhance access to expert audiologic care of our youngest patients. Phonak's donation is a valuable part of our efforts to support this worthwhile program. I extend a huge 'thank you' to Cathy Jones and Phonak for taking the corporate lead with this most generous gift."
Bruce Edwards, Chair of the ABA, expressed sincere thanks for Phonak's contribution noting that "such a substantial donation greatly supports the ABA's ongoing efforts to establish this much-needed specialty program designed to benefit children with hearing impairment and their families."
Headquartered near Zurich, Switzerland, with the US facility located in Warrenville, Illinois, the Phonak Group specializes in the design, development, production and worldwide distribution of technologically advanced hearing instruments. Phonak's expertise in hearing technology and strong cooperation with hearing care professionals allows them to make substantial improvements in the lives of the hearing impaired and those close to them.
The American Academy of Audiology Foundation's mission is to raise funds and support for programs of excellence in education, research and public awareness in audiology and the hearing sciences. The AAA Foundation works closely with the American Academy of Audiology to fund promising research grants, sponsor educational opportunities for audiologists and other hearing professionals, and increase public understanding of the causes, treatments and prevention of hearing loss. The AAA Foundation is exempt under 501(c)3 of the IRS code and all gifts to the AAA Foundation are tax deductible as allowed by law.
For more information visit the AAA Foundation Web site at www.audiologyfoundation.org.
Photo Attached - Caption: Cathy Jones (center), President and CEO of Phonak Hearing Instruments, presents Cheryl Kreider Carey, Executive Director of the American Academy of Audiology Foundation, with a gift of $50,000, while Paul Pessis, Au.D. looks on.
For more information on the ABA's Pediatric Specialty Certification initiative or to learn how you can make a gift to fund programs that support healthy hearing for infants and children, please contact Kathleen Devlin Culver, the AAA Foundation's Director of Development at 1.800.222.2336.
