Submission Guidelines
- Goals for the Educational Program
- AudiologyNOW! 2010 SuperTracks
- Number of Submitted Proposals
- Educational Categories
- Learning Objectives
- Instructional Level
- Selection Criteria
- Audiovisual Equipment Provided
- Presenters/Contributors
- Disclosure Information
- Submission Agreement
Goals for the Educational Program
The goal for the educational program is value-rich learning, where the emphasis is on learning facilitation as opposed to content delivery. This learning culture has been designed to help attendees: Acquire knowledge, Advance science, and Access technology. Proposals should offer material that is interesting to a variety of practice settings, contains innovative and meaningful information, and includes interactive presentation techniques designed to engage the adult learner.
AudiologyNOW! 2010 SuperTracks
The SuperTracks are dedicated tracks that will provide a comprehensive learning opportunity to attendees within a specific topic area throughout all four days of AudiologyNOW! Within each SuperTrack there is a designation for pediatrics, adults, students and general interest. This year’s SuperTracks are as follows:
- Hearing Loss Prevention: Otoprotection, hearing conservation (across the lifespan), and special populations (e.g. musicians, children, those with pre-existing hearing loss).
- Practice Management: Private practice, front office staff, supervision, tele-practice as well as coding and billing.
- Neuro-Audiology: Auditory evoked potentials (with an emphasis on middle and late potentials), neuro-imaging, cognition, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases such as MS, differential diagnosis auditory processing disorders, and auditory neuropathy/dysschrony.
- Cochlear Implants: Cochlear implants with particular emphasis on advanced information such as hybrid implants, bi-modal hearing and multidisciplinary management across the lifespan.
- Vestibular: Assessment, diagnosis and treatment of vestibular disorders across the lifespan.
- Hot Topics: Hot topics in content areas not addressed above. This may include literacy, hearing aids, implantable hearing aids, etc…
Number of Submitted Proposals
Submitters are limited to the following number of submissions per category:
- Exhibitor Courses: Two (2) submissions per individual
- Learning Modules: Two (2) submissions per individual
- Research Pods: One (1) submission per individual
- Research Posters: Two (2) submissions per individual
- Clinical Case Studies Poster: Two (2) submissions per individual
- Student Research Forum: One (1) submission per student
- Hands-on Student Labs: (2) submissions per individual/exhibiting company
- Industry Updates: (2) submissions per individual/exhibiting company
Educational Categories
Select the one educational category that your proposal best matches. Duplicate submissions under multiple categories are not permitted. Presentations that market specific products and services are not acceptable for any category.
Clinical Poster Presentations
Submission deadline: November 30, 2009
Limit: Two (2) submissions per individual. Please note: Projects submitted as Learning Modules, Instructional Courses or Exhibitor Courses should not be submitted for consideration as a Clinical Case Studies Poster.
CEUs: Maximum of 0.6 CEUs
The Clinical Poster Presentation format provides the opportunity to discuss unusual clinical examples of complex cases, atypical disorders, or innovative treatment approaches. Clinical Posters will be presented during a 1.5-hour Clinical and Research Poster session.
Blind review of Clinical Poster Presentation submissions will be conducted and the evaluation based on specific criteria listed in the criteria section below.
Exhibitor Educational Courses
Submission Deadline: October 12, 2009
Length: 1.5 hour
Limit: Two (2) submissions per individual
CEUs: 0.15 CEUs
The Exhibitor Courses are designed to provide attendees with access to clinical research that illustrates performance, benefit, and/or satisfaction related to manufacturer products or services. Courses also may be tutorial (e.g., describing expected patient benefit related to a given product or feature, topics of current interest that provide attendees with information that can be used clinically). Product names may appear in the abstract and presentation. Submissions should include abstract (limit of 75 words) and summary (limit of 500 words). If it is research based, the summary needs to include an introduction, methods, results, and discussion regarding the results and the impact on patient benefit. Blind review of submissions will be based on overall merit, interest to academy members, new information, measurable objective(s), and overall clarity of the written proposal. Sessions submitted under the Exhibitor Course category that include training and demonstration will not be accepted these should be submitted under the Industry Updates category.
Industry Updates
Submission Deadline: October 12, 2009
Length: 30 Minutes, repeated to fill 1 hour timeslot
Limit: 2 submissions per exhibitor
CEUs: 0.1 CEUs
Industry Updates are designed to provide attendees with information focused on product training and/or demonstration to include new or updated software, diagnostic or instrument-related instrumentation, new hearing aid products and/or features, etc. Product names may appear in the abstract and presentation. Each Industry Update will be offered twice, one presentation immediately following the other. Submissions should include abstract (limit of 50 words) and summary (limit of 250 words). Blind review of submissions will be based on overall merit, interest to academy members, new information, measurable objective(s), and overall clarity of the written proposal.
Featured Sessions
Length: 1.5 hours
Limit: Invite only
CEUs: 0.15 CEUs
Featured Sessions are contemporary topics presented by leaders in the field of audiology, hearing science, and related professional areas. The Program Committee invites presenters for these sessions based on their expertise on a given topic and feedback from attendees at previous AudiologyNOW! meetings. These sessions will offer Tier 1 Hours and require the presenter(s) to submit a learner assessment tool (8-10 multiple choice questions).
Focus Groups
Due to feedback from AudiologyNOW! attendees and scheduling priorities, Focus Groups will not be held.
Hands-on Student Labs
Submission Deadline: October 12, 2009
Length: 1 hour
Limit: Two (2) submissions per individual/exhibitor
CEUs: 0.1 CEUs
Student Hands-On Labs are small group sessions that provide information, from fundamentals to application, which will provide insight into working with a variety of products or equipment. The labs are meant to be hands-on, so the number of participants allowed will be capped at 25. There will be six meeting rooms available, 5 will be able to handle equipment demonstrations and one will be equipped with 12 computers for software demonstrations/instruction. Multiple presentations will be granted based on interest and timeslot availability. Selected presenters must bring their own demonstration equipment and software for the computer labs.
Learning Labs
Length: 3.5 to 7 hours
Limit: Invite only
CEUs: 0.35 to 0.7 CEUs
Additional Registration Fee for attendees
Learning Lab’s are held on the first day of AudiologyNOW! They offer in-depth, cutting-edge information in “hot” topic areas. The topic areas require half- or full-day sessions to enable sufficient coverage of the information. Learning Labs are designed to be interactive and to afford opportunities for hands-on exercises with appropriate clinical practices. The Learning Labs are presented by leaders in the field of audiology and/or associated professions. Presenters for Learning Labs are invited by the Program Committee based upon their expertise in a given topic area. These sessions will offer Tier 1 Hours and require the presenter(s) to submit a learner assessment tool (8-10 multiple choice questions).
Learning Modules
Submission Deadline: October 12, 2009
Length: 1.5 hours
Limit: Two (2) submissions per individual
CEUs: 0.15 CEUs
Learning Modules are learner-focused, interactive courses on topics of current interest that provide participants with information they can use in their clinical practices. These may cover a wide variety of topics including clinical audiology, treatment, basic science, practice management or a related field. In response to comments made by attendees over the years, this year’s program again will feature 3 instructional levels. Emphasis will be placed on submissions with new or innovative topics. Submissions that complement topics covered in the designated SuperTracks will be given priority. A blind review of submissions will evaluate Originality/Innovativeness, Overall Quality, Scientific or Clinical Impact/Importance.
Note: Courses designed to provide participants with access to clinical research that illustrates users’ performance; benefits and/or satisfaction related to commercially-available products or services should be submitted as Exhibitor Courses. The Program Committee reserves the right to transfer any such Learning Module submissions to the Exhibitor Course Subcommittee. A course focused on product training and demonstration should be submitted to the Industry Updates category.
Research Pods
Submission Deadline: November 30, 2009
Length: 30 minutes each, two presented in a 1-hour session
Limit: One (1) submission per individual. Please note: Projects submitted as Learning Modules, or Exhibitor Courses should not be submitted for consideration as either a Research Pod or a Research Poster.
CEUs: 0.1 CEUs
The Research Pod format provides the opportunity for individuals to present current clinically-directed research to the audience at AudiologyNOW! Research pods will be held on Friday afternoon (2:00pm- 5:00pm). Submissions must be based on original research in the areas of audiology or hearing science. Submissions should contain an abstract (75 word limit) and a structured description of what will be presented (500 word limit).
Blind review of Research Pod submissions will be conducted and the evaluation based on specific criteria listed in the criteria section below. In the event that the proposal is not selected for a Research Pod presentation, the submission may be considered for a Research Poster presentation if the author requests review for a poster presentation by checking the appropriate box.
Research Poster Presentations Submission
Deadline: November 30, 2009
Length: Posters hung noon Thursday through noon Saturday
Limit: Two (2) submissions per individual. Please note: Projects submitted as Learning Modules, Instructional Courses or Exhibitor Courses should not be submitted for consideration as either a Research Pod or Research Poster.
CEUs: Maximum 0.6 CEUs
The Research Poster Presentation format provides the opportunity to discuss research on an individual basis during a 1.5-hour session. Authors will discuss their poster data during one of two dedicated Research Poster Receptions during AudiologyNOW!. The posters will remain available for viewing throughout the duration of the conference.
Submissions should contain an abstract (75 word limit) and a summary of what will be presented (500 word limit).
Blind review of Research Poster Presentation submissions will be conducted and the evaluation based on specific criteria listed in the criteria section below. Only submissions of completed research projects will be considered. Submissions that do not include a description of the results will not be accepted.
Student Presenters that are accepted by the Research Poster subcommittee will be eligible for consideration for one of four James Jerger Awards for Excellence in Student Research ($500 each) and are required to attend their scheduled research poster presentation, as the posters are judged onsite by the Student Research subcommittee.
Student Presenter definition: In order to be eligible for the student research award, the lead presenter must:1) have completed the data collection while enrolled as a student at an accredited university; 2) be currently enrolled in an academic program or must have received their degree (AuD or PhD) within the past 12 months; and 3) have taken primary responsibility for the implementation, analysis and interpretation of the research.
Student Research Forum
Submission Deadline: November 30, 2009
Length: 15 minutes will be provided for each of five presentations within in a 1.5 hour session
Limit: One (1) submission per student
CEUs: 0.1 CEUs
Graduate students in audiology and recent audiology graduates are invited to submit proposals for presentation of their original research completed while a graduate student in audiology. The American Academy of Audiology Foundation (AAAF) will award $500 to up to five students submitting the top proposals. Student Research Forum award recipients will present a 10-minute summary of their research followed by a five-minute question and answer period.
Blind review of Student Research proposals will be conducted based on specific criteria listed in the criteria section below.
You must qualify as a student presenter in order to submit to the Student Research Forum. If you also indicate in your submission that you would like to be considered for a Research Poster if not accepted as a Student Research Forum presentation and you qualify as a Student Presenter, you will be eligible for consideration for one of four James Jerger Awards for Excellence in Student Research ($500 each). Student Presenters that are accepted by the Research Poster subcommittee are required to attend their scheduled research poster presentation in order to be eligible for consideration, as the posters are judged onsite by the Student Research subcommittee
Student Presenter definition: In order to be eligible for the student research award, the lead presenter must:1) have completed the data collection while enrolled as a student at an accredited university; 2) be currently enrolled in an academic program or must have received their degree (AuD or PhD) within the past 12 months; and 3) have taken primary responsibility for the implementation, analysis and interpretation of the research.
Special Events
This section is for programs selected by the Academy. A password is required to submit under this category.
Learning Objectives
All submissions require a learning objectives. Learning objectives should be written to reflect the highest level of performance the learner will be able to achieve within a given timeframe.
Learning objectives should complete the following sentence:
“Upon completion of this session, the participant will be able to:”
Begin each objective with a measurable action-verb that describes the (behavior) performance of the learner. Apply, describe, analyze, evaluate, assess, choose or demonstrate are a few verbs that illustrate performance.
Learning objectives should reflect the instructional level of the session. For example, a beginning-level session may use more knowledge-based action verbs: list, identify, define, etc. An advanced level session would include a higher-level action verb to describe the learning that is taking place: solve, analyze, classify, etc.
Click here for more information on writing Learning Objectives.
DO NOT start your learning objective with an immeasurable action verb such as understand, learn or know.
Instructional Level
Level I
A beginning-level course, offering in-depth instruction in basic principles and concepts related to the practice or topic. Emphasis is placed on fundamental (basic) knowledge, skills and procedures, with basic interpretation of findings and case management. Previous knowledge of specific content area is not essential.
Level II
An intermediate-level course, offering a cursory review of fundamentals and a more focused development of applied applications of the practice area or topic. Emphasis is placed on reviews of the current literature and practices for those with general working knowledge and skills in the content area.
Level III
An advanced-level course, offering an in-depth survey and discourse on the practice area or topic. Emphasis will be on application and review of current techniques, research findings and future directions, and how to integrate knowledge across disciplines and practice areas. Those with substantial working knowledge and skills in the content area will refine and expand their current expertise.
Selection Criteria
The Academy strives to offer a balanced educational program by selecting proposals that achieve 1) the goals of the AudiologyNOW! Educational Program and 2) the Academy’s vision to be essential in the professional lives of audiologists. Proposals in each category will be reviewed by the appropriate 2010 Program Subcommittee members in a blind review process.
In order to be considered, all submissions must contain the following:
- A title (no longer than 60 characters)
- An abstract (no longer than 75 words)
- A summary (no longer than 500 words)
- Three Learner Outcomes (one required for Research & Clinical Posters and the Student Research Forum)
- The names, organizations, emails, bios and disclosure information for all presenters
- The names, organizations, and emails for all contributors.
Specific Criteria for Learning Modules, Exhibitor Courses, Industry Updates, and Hands on Student Labs
The submission is limited to 500 words and the review will be based on the following:
- Originality/Innovativeness
- Overall Quality
- Scientific or Clinical Impact/Importance
Specific Criteria for Research Pods, Research Posters, Clinical Posters and the Student Research Forum
The submission is limited to 500 words and should include objectives, rationale, design, results and conclusions. Only completed research projects will be considered. Submissions to both the Student Research Forum and the Clinical and Research Posters will be rated using the following criteria, with equal weighting of each factor:
- Rationale/Purpose
Submissions should have a strong rationale for the study/presentation which is supported by the literature. The statement of the purpose should be clear and if appropriate hypotheses should be included. - Methods
The study should be appropriate for the specific experimental questions. The methodology and statistical analyses should be clearly described. - Results & Conclusions
The results should be clearly described and should be supported by the statistical findings. The conclusions should be supported by the results. - Overall Clarity
The submission should be well written and organized in a coherent manner. - Importance of Work
Submissions which address an important issue or problem will be given special consideration. The potential impact of the research on clinical practice, education of students, the profession or, future research will be considered. - Innovation
Innovated submissions will be given special consideration. These include projects which developed or employed novel concepts, approaches, methodologies, tools or technologies.
Audiovisual Equipment Provided
The Academy will be utilizing a Presentation Management system that will automatically feed the presentations through a main server directly to the session rooms. Detailed information will be sent to the presenters after the submissions have been selected. During sessions the Academy will provide, at no cost to the presenter(s):
- Laptop computer for PowerPoint Presentations
- LCD projector and screen
- Lectern microphone and wired lavaliere microphone
- Electronic pointer
- ALD transmitter
- Floor Microphones in audience (for Featured Sessions only)
Due to cost limitations, Internet connections are not available in the session rooms. Audiovisual equipment is not provided for Clinical or Research Posters.
Presenters/Contributors
Presenters are individuals who contribute to the presentation content and will present the material to the audience. Presenter names will be listed in the final program.
Contributors are individuals who contribute to the presentation content but will not present the material to the audience. Contributor’s names will be listed in the final program.
Disclosure Information
If a presenter at AudiologyNOW! has a financial or other relationship in any organization that may have a direct interest in the subject matter of the educational program, the audience must be aware of the relationship in print in advance of the presentation. In this way any potential conflict of interest will be identified openly so attendees have full disclosure of the facts and may form their own judgments about the presentation. Conflicts of interest may be real or perceived, and any potential for financial gain deriving from the reported work may constitute a conflict of interest. It is the responsibility of the submitter(s) to report any real or perceived financial conflict of interest.
Submission Agreement
All presenters must agree to the terms of the Submission Agreement prior to entering a proposal.
On behalf of myself and any co-presenters, should this presentation be selected, I/we agree that this presentation is offered voluntarily and understand and agree to the following terms related to the presentation and its use by the American Academy of Audiology:
- Agree to pay for all travel expenses to attend AudiologyNOW!, including the registration fee.
- Agree to present this course on the assigned date, time and place during April 14–17, 2010, in San Diego, CA.
- Agree that I as, or on behalf of, the individual listed as the main contact will receive all correspondence and accept responsibility for conveying conference related information to co-presenters.
- Warrant that this presentation is an original work or that material that is not original is being used in full accordance with the express permission of the owner of the work and agree to indemnify, defend and hold the American Academy of Audiology, its directors, officers, employees and agents harmless against any costs, claims, expenses and damages as a result of this presentation.
- Grant the American Academy of Audiology all of the necessary rights to record this presentation and to use it in any audio formats, including but not limited to session audio recordings following AudiologyNOW!
- Grant the American Academy of Audiology all of the necessary rights to produce and distribute session presentations/handouts to all registered attendees. You will continue to retain ownership, including copyright rights, in your work. Any copyright of the presentation and materials shall continue to be your property or that of your company.
- Agree to consider allowing the American Academy of Audiology to publish and market the material presented at an Academy event to all Academy members, subscribers, and customers, and to further the Academy’s mission and vision: to be essential in the professional lives of audiologists.