Welcome to AudiologyNOW! 2011

It is my pleasure to describe some of the exciting aspects of AudiologyNow! 2011 that we have planned. Our focus this year is captured well by the theme "Innovation to Implementation”. AudiologyNOW! is the place for practitioners, researchers, and exhibitors to gather for sharing the latest in clinical concepts, technology, and practice development. An overall goal we have kept in mind while ramping up for AudiologyNOW! is the experience of all of the participants. We want you to become so engaged during your time in Chicago that you return and implement your knowledge on Monday morning. That is how our patients will be helped and that is how our profession will continue to grow.

As we have done in the past, many sessions will be grouped within areas of concentration called SuperTracks. The SuperTracks for 2011 are Neuro-Audiology, Pediatrics, Practice-Related Issues, Treatment, Vestibular, and Hot Topics. We are attempting to schedule sessions so that participants could follow a SuperTrack to get the latest results from the lab during a Research Podium or while browsing a Poster Session, learn the clinical concepts during an interactive Learning Module and experience the breadth and depth of knowledge of an established expert during a Featured Session.

The experience begins on Wednesday with the Academy Research Conference on Tinnitus and 12 different Learning Labs offering in-depth coursework with an emphasis on interactive learning with a hands-on approach. As in 2010, there will again be Learning Modules offered for CEUs on Wednesday afternoon for our early participants. The core of AudiologyNOW! begins on Thursday, of course, and participants will have access to Featured Sessions, Learning Modules, Research Podium presentations and Poster Sessions. We’ve heard you and we are bringing back some old favorites like 3D Neuroanatomy with Frank Musiek and Matt Bush, as well as the ever-popular "Grand Rounds” courses. There will be plenty of room in the Industry Update sessions and The Exhibitor courses will also be back. Tier 1 opportunities will be available each day from Wednesday through Saturday and we are working with the American Board of Audiology to ensure that learner assessments correspond with the given talk. For our budding researchers, Friday will be very important as we have an entire day of events planned starting with the Ph.D. networking breakfast, sessions on external funding, Student Research Forum, and ending with Poster Presentations. The events wrap on Saturday evening with the annual Trivia Bowl. Start thinking of your team names now!

Richard A Roberts, PhD, 2011 Program Chair
Alabama Hearing & Balance Associates, Inc.