WE WERE (and still are) ALL EARS!

Hello, everyone! I am so happy that I was able to see so many of you at the MSHA Convention at Tan-Tar-A. For those of you who were there and who attended the Issues in Audiology session, you know that MSHA and I were “all ears.” We discussed many issues that are affecting audiologists and received important feedback about a possibility of a joint MSHA/MHS convention effort. If you have additional concerns or feedback or if you weren’t at the session but would like to share your thoughts, please please PLEASE contact me. We want to make sure we hear from as many MSHA audiologists as we can before making the final decision to disband this effort.

In addition to that hot topic, Issues in Audiology allowed for me to beg for more members of the Audiology Affairs Committee. Many MSHA thanks to Donald Bender, William Carver, Deb Galley, Robin Gaschler (chair), Laura Jacobs, Cynthia McCormick, Jennifer Schumacher, and Carlton DeFosse for signing up! You are the best and I look forward to working with all of you. If you are not on this list and are interested in becoming a member of our committee, please let me know. It’s a great way for you to be active in MSHA, keep on top of issues affecting our profession and give you a venue for discussing your concerns. Please consider joining this worthwhile committee.

Finally, the referral database is on the website (Audiology Data Base) and should be in its final “form” soon. Of course, additions or deletions can be made at any time by simply dropping me an email. Also, I would encourage you to contact other audiologists in your area who may or may not be MSHA members as we are considering the possibility of opening the referral database up to non-MSHA members for a fee. If you have thoughts on this, please let me know. Thanks for all you continue to do for MSHA and as always, if you have any questions, concerns or ideas email me or call me at (816) 224-1334 ext. 314.

“Summer Stuff”

Gee, that's catchy! I wanted to work in a song title, but I got bogged down with too many choices. So here's my summer stuff…You've no doubt heard that the bill(s) regarding insurance coverage of hearing aids for children did not pass during this past legislative session.

Some audiologists feel that is not good news given the number of children who do not have access to appropriate or even adequate amplification due to financial constraints. But there are audilogists who have lately spoken out against this issue. For the record, MSHA did not receive any negative feedback regarding support for this bill prior to supporting the legislative effort. It is not known whether or not it will reappear next year. Contact either Janet Gooch, VP for Legislative affairs, or myself with your suggestions about which bills you would like to see our lobbyist support in the next session. Twelve audiologists attended the "Issues in Audiology" session at the convention. While that seems low, I was pleased with the turn-out given that it was the last scheduled event after a long day of sessions. (And it was an improvement in number over last year's group of three!) Our guest speaker from the Better Hearing Institute, John Olive, was dynamic and had a wonderful presentation about the primary care physician referral program.

The big "issue," however, is getting audiologists to help with and attend the convention, not just this one session! I estimate that less than half of the MSHA audiologists attended. Given that less than one third of licensed Missouri audiologists belong to MSHA, there is a huge potential for growth in both MSHA membership and also convention participation.

Granted, MSHA is held near the AAA convention and many people are able to attend only one conference. But the convenience and cost of a state convention is appealing to many, so the more input and help we give to the convention, the better the program will be. There are exciting changes in store for next year's audiology program, and I hope we will have a great turn-out to appreciate the convention committee's efforts. If you are called to assist in next year's convention, say yes! If you aren't called, volunteer!