News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oregon Academy of Audiology and Washington State Academy of Audiology Merge to Form the Northwest Academy of Audiology

New organization aims to better support audiologists across Oregon and Washington through enhanced education, advocacy, and networking.

Portland, OR  – January 31, 2025 – In a bold step toward strengthening the audiology profession in the Pacific Northwest, the Oregon Academy of Audiology (OAA) and the Washington State Academy of Audiology (WSAA) have officially merged to form the Northwest Academy of Audiology (NWAA), effective January 2025. This new organization will serve audiologists across both states, focusing on the vital issues of continuing education, advocacy, and fostering networking opportunities within the profession.

As state-based organizations have faced increasing challenges in securing the necessary resources to meet the growing needs of audiologists, the merger of OAA and WSAA aims to provide greater collective strength. By joining forces, NWAA will maximize its impact and better address the professional needs of audiologists in both states.

“The merging of these two state organizations is a response to the ongoing difficulties that many state associations face in supporting their members,” said Dr. Katy Mawson, President of the Northwest Academy of Audiology. “Finding the time, talent, and treasure to sustain operations and provide meaningful benefits to our members has become more challenging. This merger allows us to create a unified and stronger voice for audiologists, ensuring we can continue to advance the profession, advocate for our members, and provide essential resources for our providers, patients, and partners.”

Key Areas of Focus for the Northwest Academy of Audiology:

• Continuing Education: NWAA will offer a robust calendar of educational events and webinars, enabling audiologists to stay at the forefront of advancements in hearing science, technology, and best practices.

• Advocacy: The organization will serve as a powerful advocate for the audiology profession, ensuring the voices of audiologists are heard in legislative and policy discussions, and working to protect and advance the field across the region.

• Networking: By bringing together audiologists from various regions and specialties, NWAA will facilitate collaboration and thoughtful exchange, helping professionals build stronger connections that will enrich their practice and careers.

“We are excited about the future of the Northwest Academy of Audiology and the opportunities it will provide to the professionals we serve,” said Dr. Mawson. “Through this merger, we are setting the stage for a more robust and dynamic organization that will be better equipped to serve the evolving needs of audiologists in Oregon and Washington.”

The NWAA team is working to transition OAA’s current digital presence to reflect the merger.  Over the coming months, OAA’s website, social media, and other accounts will be updated with new domains, information, and logos representing NWAA.

For more information on the Northwest Academy of Audiology, membership details, or upcoming events, please visit northwestaudiology.org.

Members,
It has come to our attention that CareOregon no longer requires prior authorization for the following codes:

V5014	Repair/Modification of Hearing Aids
V5020	Conformity evaluation - hearing, vision, speech
V5140	Binaural - Behind the Ear
V5160	Binaural - Dispensing Fee
V5261	Binaural hearing aid/BTE
V5264	Earmolds / inserts
V5266	Batteries	No PA required for OHP when quantity is 120/yr
V5274	Assistive Listening Device
V5275	Ear Impressions

Please follow this link to view the list. We have been advised to watch this webpage for continued updates as they add more codes to this list.

Join us for our annual convention in Atlanta, Georgia! While many details are still being finalized, take a look at this page for important details about when and where. For updates on the convention, join our mailing list at the bottom of our homepage.

We will be offering both an adult track and a teen track with concurrent sessions fit for all ages. Click Here to read about some of our featured speakers.

To attend the convention, please follow this link to register.

From AAA: On September 9, Apple announced that it is entering the over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids market. The company will soon offer an AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid. A new software upgrade to release later this fall will give users access to a hearing test, a hearing aid capability, and hearing protection through the use of AirPods Pro 2 and iPhone or iPad. The hearing aid feature will not change the look of the AirPods Pro 2, making it impossible to distinguish between a regular AirPods user and one with the hearing aid capability. This latest release marks the continued expansion of Apple’s health and wellness vision.

Learn More on the Apple Launch website

Oregon Academy of Audiology is tracking the billing and coding bulletins put out by the major insurers in Oregon.  The aim of this project is to find and inform our members of policy changes that may affect audiology providers.  This is a new endeavor by OAA, so please let us know how we can improve it.  Let us know if we are missing any major payors in Oregon.

This bulletin is intended for general informational use only, and should not be relied on as an exhaustive analysis of any individual clinic or provider’s contract with their payors.  Please monitor your clinic’s insurance contracts and consult your own counsel regarding specific questions about your contracts.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k5vD2eLWZvtbIsGgjnsbthbEmbtpTMj5Zngi38xvi7U/edit

OAA Advocacy Alert:

The OAA Legislation and Policy Committee is following Oregon SB 124, a bill which would add a SLPA member to the Oregon Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.  The board is currently comprised of two audiologists, two speech-language pathologists, two consumers, and one ENT. 

Oregon Academy of Audiology opposes this bill as it is written.  OAA, the primary organization representing audiologists in Oregon, was not involved in the process of drafting of this legislation.  This limited audiology’s voice in the creation of legislation that directly affects audiologists’ licensing board. 

Additionally, OAA is concerned that adding a SLPA board member will create an imbalance between audiology and SLP representation.  OAA cannot offer support to a bill which would effectively reduce the weight of audiology’s voice in any policy making body.

Finally, while SLPAs are certified by the licensing board, they are not licensed providers.  Their scopes of practice and day-to-day activities are largely dictated by their supervising SLPs.  Practical, administrative, and ethical issues that may arise around SLPAs would predominantly need to be remedied at the level of the SLPs.  Further, even without a board member SLPAs still retain the right to attend board meetings and access to the members and resources of the licensing board.

Unfortunately, SB 124 has already passed the Oregon Senate and has moved on to the House.  It is currently in the House Committee on Healthcare, where it has a public hearing scheduled for Thursday, April 29^th.  OAA encourages all its members to submit testimony – either written or oral – to share their views on this legislation.  Below is information on the bill as well as on how to submit testimony.

Bill Information:

• ·       SB 124 text:  https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB124/Introduced
• ·       SB 124 legislation page:  https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Measures/Overview/SB124
• ·       Public hearing information:
• ·       https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Committees/HHC/2021-04-29-03-15/Agenda

Written Testimony:

• ·       Electronically: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Testimony/HHC
• ·       Mail: House Committee on Health Care
• 900 Court Street NE, Room 453

                         Salem, OR 97301

• ·       Written testimony may be submitted up to 24 hours after the meeting start time.

Register to Testify Live Remotely:

• Registration is required to testify by phone or video.
• Register online: https://survey.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9GGcXHWVskYPXZI

• You will see a confirmation screen and be sent an email with information on how to join the meeting.

• Register by phone: 833-588-4500. You will be given a phone number to call into the meeting.
• Registration closes at the time the meeting is scheduled to begin.

March 3rd is World Hearing Day.

 For 2021 - let's consider hearing across the world.

What does hearing mean to you?

What does hearing ability provide for you?

How do you feel when you can't hear clearly?

Audiologists are hearing healthcare providers there to help- from prevention of hearing loss, to identification of hearing status, to treatment of hearing disorders. 

Find your Oregon Audiologist under the tab "find an Audiologist"

We are "hear" for you!

We lost a dear friend & colleague, and a pioneer in our field on September 23rd, 2016.

-There will be a memorial service for Duane Anderson on Saturday October 29th 2:00 PM at the Westminister Presbyterian Church. 1624 NE Hancock, Portland OR

The Oregon Academy of Audiology board and all of its members  are saddened with the news of the passing of State Senator Alan Bates.  He helped to pass the newborn hearing screening requirements and did was involved in the elimination of dual licensure for audiologists. He will be missed.  

http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20160806/NEWS/160809723

Looking for affordable CEUs?  The Mayo Clinic Teleconference is the one for you!

Please join us on February 6th, 2016 from 7:00 am to 1:30 pm!  See the events section for more information.