CAA Survey of Audiologists

Click here to view results .

In July 2008, CAA conducted a survey of audiologists in California to assess their legislative and educational priorities. Click the link above to see the aggregate summary data. If the survey was not sent to you via email, please update us with your email address by contacting info@caaud.org or 310.821.6179.

Congress Overrides President's Veto on Medicare Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives successfully voted to override the President's veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331) by an overwhelming 383-41 vote. (See Roll Call vote) The United States Senate followed the House and approved the override by a margin of 70-26.

The bill includes a provision to stop the scheduled 10.6 % reduction on provider payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule (under which audiologists are paid) with a continuation of the current conversion factor for 2008 and an additional 1.1% update for 2009.

Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Licensing Sunset Extension Legislation

Governor Schwarzenegger signed SB 797 and AB 1545 on Monday, June 23, 2008. As urgency legislation, the bills take effect immediately. These bills will allow the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board to operate under the umbrella of DCA through the end of the year, and then be recreated as an autonomous board as it is now. CAA strongly supported these bills when they were before the Legislature and in the Governor's Office.

AB 1545

Sacramento Advocates, on behalf of CAA had testified in committee supporting this legislation authored by Assemblyman Eng. Please see our letter of support for AB1545 which will extend the life of SLPAB.

On 5/29 the Senate passed AB 1545 on a 36-1 vote. It now goes back to the Assembly for concurrence in the Senate amendments and then to the Governor. SPLAB will be back in business with the strong support of CAA.

Hearing Aid Tax Credit Bill

The Hearing Aid Tax Credit Bill currently has 71 cosponsors in the House. It is still in the Ways and Means committee. For a better understanding of the tax credit bill, please see:

www.hearingloss.org

Use the sample letter on that page to write your Congressman/woman.

Join the CAA/Renew your membership!

Join us!

CAA Members!

First, get your password and log in.

Then renew online!

New members, join here!

Save the Dates!

Save the dates September 11-13, 2008 for the Ninth Annual Conference of the California Academy of Audiology. More...

Can You Hear Me Now? The Impacts of Hearing Loss

Though it's one of the most common workplace injuries, noise-induced hearing loss also is one of the most overlooked. Employees and employers who don't pay attention to the importance of hearing protection potentially could lose much more than just their hearing. More...

"Turn It To The Left"

"Turn It to the Left" is an educational rap song written by Benjamin Jackson, who sang the song at the last AAA conference to a standing ovation. The song is in support of the AAA's campaign to raise public awareness about the dangers of exposure to high sound pressure levels. To read about the campaign and hear the song or see a performance of it, please visit www.turnittotheleft.com.

Joint Committee on Infant Hearing

The JCIH has released its 2007 Position Statement, a best-practices, evidence-based guideline on newborn hearing screening, audiologic and medical diagnosis and audiologic, medical and educational management (Early Intervention), for the infant with hearing loss or deafness.

CAA Basket at AAA

The California Academy of Audiology contributed a beautifully-wrapped basket filled with the Best of California to the AAA GREAT STATES Basket Auction Fundraiser held in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Proceeds from this auction, sponsored by the AAA Foundation, will fund research, education, and public awareness in audiology and hearing science.  Some of the items in the basket include: a DVD of Arnold Schwarzenegger's The Terminator, a Ghirardelli chocolate cable car, a Nip/Tuck DVD, California wine and olive oil, a Disney gift card, Rice-a- Roni, California raisins, Jelly Bellies, a San Francisco Giants baseball cap, and a roadmap of the greatest state in the union!  Hear and Be Heard!