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When it comes to hearing aids, “more” was the story in ʼ04

on the findings of the annual Hearing Journal/Audiology Online survey of dispensers, conducted in January 2005. That article focused on the responses from 674 hearing healthcare providers to a series of questions on the topic of patient satisfaction with hearing aid fittings and how best to achieve it. This month, the second and concluding part of our report on the survey examines the responses to a wide range of questions about the professional and business activities of survey participants.

AAS meeting draws record attendance to program rich in scientific research

American Auditory Society MAY 2009 • VOL. 62 • NO. 5 Marking a decade of stand-alone annual meetings, the American Auditory Society’s 2009 gathering held March 5-7, in Scottsdale, AZ, drew approximately 470 people from diverse disciplines, but with a shared interest in the ear, hearing, and balance. This was the largest turnout yet, and more than triple the attendance in 1999, when AAS first met separately from the annual convention of the American Academy of Audiology or American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The researchers, teachers, engineers, practitioners, and students enjoyed an educational program characteristically packed full with scientific research presentations, many by world leaders in their fields. In all, about 70 papers were presented and more than 100 posters displayed.

Economic turmoil threatens to reverse recent growth in the hearing aid market

U.S. economic growth headed into negative territory in the third quarter, dragging the hearing aid market along with it. Net unit sales by manufacturers, as reported in the quarterly statistical report of the Hearing Industries Association (HIA), declined by 1.2% in the third quarter of 2008 from the same period of 2007, from 623,251 to 615,593 instruments. The downturn in sales would have been substantially greater had the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) not continued to fit more hearing aids than ever before. Purchases by the VA, which represented 16% of the total domestic market, rose by 9.2% in the third quarter, from 89,944 last year to 98,191 this year. However, third-quarter sales to the private sector decreased by 3.0% from 533,307 hearing aids in 2007 to 517,402 this year. For the year to date, hearing aid sales remained slightly (0.2%) ahead of the first 9 months of 2007. But that was only because VA purchases of 281,251 were 8.7% greater this year. Sales to the private sector totaled 1,563,617 units through September 30, 1.2% fewer than the 1,582,478 sold a year earlier. What is most ominous about the third-quarter decline in sales is that it does not reflect the bad economic news reported since September 30. For example, when the third quarter ended, the Dow Jones industrial average had fallen below 11,000, down 23% from its all-time high of over 14,000 in October 2007. That was bad enough, but by mid-November, the Dow had fallen by about 40% from its peak, and there was no sign that the bottom was near. Add to that an average decline in home values of close to 25% since May 2006 and it is no surprise that Americans, especially older ones counting on their nest eggs and home values to ensure a comfortable retirement, are feeling much poorer than they did a year or even 6 months ago. In fact, most are poorer. Further grounds for concern is that the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index plummeted in October to its lowest level since the inception of the index in 1967. Consumer fears were reflected in a drop of 1.2% in retail sales in September, the steepest monthly decline in 3 years. That made 3 straight months of lower consumer spending, something not seen since 1992.

At last Rendezvous, speakers lay foundation for evidence-based practice

Rendezvous faculty included, from left, Dennis Van Vliet, Robyn Cox, Alison Grimes, Robert Sweetow, David Fabry, Catherine Palmer, Gus Mueller, and Mead Killion. The Jackson Hole Rendezvous ended a 25-year run with its final hearing health conference September 8-11 at the Jackson Lake Lodge in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. Before riding into the proverbial sunset, the faculty of distinguished audiologists helped blaze a trail they hope will enhance the future practice of audiology. Entitled “Amplification: What do we really know?” the 2004 program was devoted in large part to explaining and advocating evidence-based practice, an approach that more and more healthcare professions are adopting. The speakers were members of the Independent Hearing Aid Fitting Forum (IHAFF), which a decade earlier had unveiled its protocol for fitting non-linear hearing aids at the Rendezvous.

Oticon marks 100 years of hearing care at an international celebration in Denmark

Danish businessman, purchased an Akoulallion hearing aid for his beloved wife, Camilla. He chose the model, which was made by General Acoustic, because it was what the Danish-born Queen Alexandra of England had worn for her coronation in 1902. Camilla found the device so helpful that on June 8, 1904, Hans’s company began selling the U.S.-made instruments in Denmark along with and a little later—when hearing aid sales took off— instead of the sewing machines and bicycles on which the family business had been built. The rest, as they say, is history—history that Oticon, the company that grew out of Hans Demant’s venture into hearing aids, is celebrating in grand style throughout 2004. The 100th anniversary commemoration reached its peak early this June in Copenhagen, Oticon’s home. There, some 700 guests from 35 countries joined their hosts for several days of educational events, cultural programs, and festive dinners. Participants included 500 hearing professionals, their spouses, and a contingent of 75 Oticon employees. For Oticon, its 100th anniversary as a hearing aid company was a once-in-a-lifetime occasion not only to celebrate its past, but also to share with industry professionals its latest advances, including the new Syncro digital hearing aid, and also to lay out its vision for its future as it seeks better ways to pursue its core philosophy of “putting people first.” In celebrating its centennial, Oticon also proudly introduced its guests to Copenhagen and to Danish culture. One of the highlights for the visiting professionals and their families was a daylong tour of Copenhagen that focused on Danish design. It included an entertaining and enlightening talk by Per Arnoldi, an internationally renowned Danish designer, who discussed the essence of design and explained the high priority that Danes assign to beauty in their homes and their daily lives. Oticon’s guests enjoyed a sampling of outstanding Danish design during a private tour of an exhibit of masterworks in silver by Georg Jensen, another Copenhagen company marking its 100th birthday in 2004. The exhibition at the National Art Gallery was staged by Bille August, the Danish film director. A boat trip along the waterfront and canals of Copenhagen showed visitors some of the architectural and sculptural highlights of Denmark’s 750-year-old capital city.

Although opinions vary, survey finds many concerned by consolidation of dispensing

Respondents to The Hearing Journal’s ninth annual dispenser survey expressed far-ranging opinions about the on-going consolidation of dispensing practices and its effects. While some dispensing audiologists and hearing aid specialists said that the proliferation of dispensing networks will increase public awareness and use of hearing aids and raise dispensing standards, others warned that such networks will reduce the quality of patient care, limit choices, and threaten the very survival of the independent practitioner. Our latest survey, conducted last November and December, was the first to poll hearing professionals on the impact of consolidation of the dispensing sector. The survey, which drew 255 responses (51% of the 500 mailed to subscribers who dispense hearing aids in their practice), also included questions on a wide range of other topics of relevance to dispensers.

Audiologists hold a convention of their own within ASHA

In a bid to reverse the long decline in turnout by audiologists at its annual convention, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) held the first Audiology Convention at ASHA November 15-18 in New Orleans. Audiologists and hearing scientists who attended the convention within a convention were provided with their own separate convention guide, headquarters hotel, area of the exhibit hall, and organized social functions, as well as an enhanced selection of courses. Fred Bess, PhD, who chaired the Audiology Convention at ASHA, explained that the audiology program for 2001 had been “totally reformatted...to meet the unique and current needs of today’s practicing audiologists.” ASHA’s innovative approach to attracting more audiologists to its convention met with some success. Although the reported turnout of 748 audiologists in New Orleans was not dramatically higher than the 604 in Washington, DC, in 2000, the attendance was gratifying in view of the circumstances. Because of the terrorist attacks of September 11 that made many Americans hesitant to fly, ASHA was already expecting a lower overall turnout. Then, when an American Airlines plane crashed in New York on November 12, many members who had pre-registered canceled. The overall turnout in New Orleans was 9433, well below normal. However, despite some lastminute cancellations, the reported attendance by audiologists was nearly 25% greater than the year before and the highest since 1998. Encouraged by the success of its first Audiology Convention at ASHA, the association will hold separate events for audiologists again this November 21-24 in Atlanta and in November 2003.

At convention, IHS celebrates a victory

Despite opening on the ill-starred date of September 11, the 2002 International Hearing So c i e t y’s Annual Convention in Reno, NV, was a far happier event than last ye a r’s meeting. In 2001, the Golden Annive r s a ry Convention had to be postponed because of the tragic eve n t s of the day preceding its scheduled start. And, when it did take place, in Nove m b e r, the shock and grief that all Americans we re feeling cast a shadow over what would otherwise have been a festive celebration. This ye a r, although some members decided to stay home with their families rather than fly

BHI director reports on newly launched program to stimulate physician referrals

John Olive, the new executive director of the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), presented a detailed report on February 22 during the Hearing Industries Association (HIA) annual meeting in Phoenix on a newly launched pilot program designed to increase hearing aid sales by establishing referral relationships between primary-care physicians (PCPs) and hearing healthcare professionals. In an upbeat presentation, Olive explained BHI’s focus on physicians: “If there is one place where we can reach the people we need to reach and to motivate them, it is through their primary-care physicians. The internist, the family practitioner, the general practitioner—these are the key people we need to reach.” The Physician Referral Development Program (PRDP) is the centerpiece of the strategic program for BHI that Olive has drawn up since taking over as director in June 2000. Established in 1973, BHI is an independent, non-profit organization devoted to raising public awareness of hearing and hearing care. Early last year, after a period in which the institute had grown largely inactive and faced an uncertain future, Reg Garratt, chairman of Knowles Electronics, was elected president. In February 2000, HIA voted to substantially increase funding for the institute. This paved the way for a revival of the organization and the launching of the physician-referral program, which will cost approximately