Division 8, Hearing Conservation and Occupational Audiology

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Announcements

Audiology 2008 - Cochlear Implants in Children and Adults

Perspectives is going GREEN to save some GREEN in 2008!

In 2008, Special Interest Division member publications, Perspectives, will be published online only. The Divisions are going to this new format:

To save some GREEN. Increases in content and frequency of publication coupled with increasing postage costs have put a strain on Division budgets. Publishing online only will free up resources that can be allocated to other Division programs and member benefits.
To be more GREEN. Online publishing is a positive step environmentally; it saves resources (paper, energy) associated with publishing hardcopy.
To respond to affiliates' interests in accessing content online.
To provide new benefits (e.g., archived issues).

Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Special Interest Division on Hearing Conservation and Occupational Audiology to prevent hearing impairment from exposure to noise and other toxic agents by:

Increasing understanding of the problem and knowledge of effective intervention strategies
Monitoring and promoting appropriate regulatory activity and legislation
Educating the public and related professionals
Facilitating communication within ASHA and among related professional organizations
Promoting excellence in hearing conservation
Promoting needed research

Vision

To prevent hearing impairment from exposure to noise and other toxic agents.

Current Interest or Action Items

Identification of populations at risk: industry/military, pediatric and school age, recreational
Health care literature: noise pamphlets for adults and children
ASHA-initiated coalition on the OSHA Form 200
Promotion of the EPA's Office of Noise Abatement and Control
Provision of testimony to the House Select Committee on Noise
Increased educational opportunities:
- Workshops
- ASHA Convention
- Teleconferences
- Potential study sections:
- Federal Workers' Compensation,
- Noise regulations (FAA, DoD, etc.),
- Expert witness testimony,
- Employment of the hearing impaired
Publication of a newsletter on hearing conservation
A clinical protocol for HCP referrals and follow-up exams
The impact of the AuD in the practice of hearing conservation
Support for related research currently in progress by special interest division affiliates

Affiliate Benefits

Newsletter
Published in April, the Division 8 Newsletter features:

News of division activities
Articles on clinical topics
Articles on professional and practice issues

View an issue [PDF]

Continuing Education
Division 8 sponsors a Short Course at the annual ASHA Convention. Division affiliates are eligible for a 50% discount on select Short Courses at Convention.

Networking
Affiliates have the opportunity to identify others with interest in hearing conservation and occupational audiology.

Representation Within ASHA

The Division 8 Coordinator represents the Special Interest Division on Hearing Conservation and Occupational Audiology within the ASHA Board of Division Coordinators.
The Steering Committee responds to ASHA requests for input regarding policy, guidelines, committees, and other issues.
Affiliates have the opportunity to provide input to the division leadership and ASHA.

Division Coordinator: Thomas M. Helfer, US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventative Medicine
Pamela J. Gordon, Gordon Hearing Conservation Inc.
Marjorie Grantham, US Army
Iris Langman, Puget Sound Hearing and Balance
Ted K. Madison, 3M Company

Ex Officios

Brian B. Shulman, Monitoring Vice President for Professional Practices in Speech-Language Pathology
Gwendolyn D. Wilson, Monitoring Vice President for Professional Practices in Audiology
Michelle Ferketic, Director, Special Interest Divisions and International Liaison Programs