Seminars
Real-Ear Measurement Track – NEW!
A new feature at this year’s IHS convention is an integrated, progressive learning opportunity comprised of three 2-hour seminars and one 2-hour demonstration on real-ear measurement. Each seminar on this topic will take you from beginner knowledge through intermediate to advanced. During the live demonstrations, you will take the learning experience from the convention to your practice. This is a unique opportunity for you to learn from the experts in a step-wise way and to apply your new knowledge and skills directly to your next clinical encounter. Although you are strongly encouraged to attend all four 2-hour seminars, each one does stand-alone on content and learning value. Follow this learning pathway and walk away with a new or enhanced skill.
Thursday, September 15
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Concurrent Seminars
Tympanometry: Methodology, Interpretation and Clinical Application
Ted Venema, PhD, Professor, Conestoga College
Advanced Level
Contrary to common belief, Tympanometry does not determine “how much the eardrum wiggles.” In essence, Tympanometry measures how much sound bounces off the eardrum at positive air pressure in the ear canal, then at nor mal room pressure, and lastly at negative air pressure. Air pressure should be even on both sides of the eardrum in order for the middle ear to be most efficient at passing incoming sounds through it. This seminar will describe the methodology, interpretation, and clinical application of the quick and yet very important test.
Looping Technology & Your Practice
Wm. Scott Peyton, MA, General Manager/Owner, Wireless Hearing Solutions
Beginner Level
Hearing Aid Specialists play a critical role in helping clients to “get into the hearing loop,” including optimizing telecoils for use with hearing loops, providing written information and resources, and demonstrating hearing loops in their offices. This session is a blueprint for connecting your practice to loop system installations, growing your business and maximizing sales efforts.
Friday, September 16
10:00 am - 12:00 pm Concurrent Seminars
Business Management Software Panel Discussion
Moderated by Douglas A. Lewis, JD, PhD, AuD, MBA, President and CEO, Excalibur Business Consultants
Advanced Level
Business management software can do more than scheduling, manage patient data, and billing. Some sophisticated systems can help you grow your hearing healthcare practice. Compare and contrast the functional capabilities of each system during this interactive panel discussion.
Participating companies include:
- Blueprint Solutions
- Sycle.Net
- TIMS for Audiology
Real-Ear Measurement Track: Fitting Methods
Ted Venema, PhD, Professor, Conestoga College
Beginner Level
The most popular fitting methods today are NAL and DSL. These have been incorporated into manufacturers’ fitting software for new digital products, as well as in real-ear testing equipment. Whether you are new to the profession or looking for a refresher, this seminar re-visits real-ear measurements as the verification technique upon which the other sessions in the track will build. We will compare and contrast the original methods like REUR, REIG, and the latest versions of DSL 5 and NAL-NL2.
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Concurrent Seminars
Ethics – Watch Your Backside!
Sheryl Arends, BC-HIS, ACA, Hearing Instrument Specialist, Sonus Hearing Care
Intermediate Level
It is never too late to fine-tune your ethical standards and practice. Test yourself as you hear about real-life case examples against hearing healthcare practitioners. And, protect your practice by doing the right thing!
Real-Ear Measurement Track: Verification and Validation
Douglas L. Beck, AuD, Director of Professional Relations, Oticon Inc.
Intermediate Level
Discover the importance of validation and verification measures in virtually every hearing aid fitting. As hearing aid fittings continue to evolve from “art” to “science” it has become increasingly important for hearing professionals to fit hearing aids using scientifically rigorous and validated protocols to assure maximal amplification results for the majority of patients.
Saturday, September 17
10:30 am - 12:30 pm Concurrent Seminars
The Importance of Binaural Hearing
Theodore P. Mason, MD, Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeons of Western New England LLC
Beginner Level
Learn about the clinical benefits of bilateral and binaural hearing. Dr. Blair will present current research focusing on patient hearing in a bimodal configuration (hearing aid and cochlear implant). Tips for fitting and counseling an individual who uses a cochlear implant with a hearing aid will be shared.
Real-Ear Measurement Track: Manufacturers Live Demonstrations
Advanced Level
Several manufacturers will participate in this quasi-lab experience. These small-group demonstrations will help you decide which equipment to purchase and will provide the experiential learning required for the clinical application of fitting verification in your office. Participating companies include Oticon, Interacoustics, and many more.
Participating companies include:
- Audioscan
- Frye Electronics
- Interacoustics
- MedRx
- Personal Medica
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Concurrent Seminars
Professionalizing the Profession - Reinvent Your Training Skills
Patricia E. Connelly, PhD, CCC-A, ABA, Pediatric Audiologist, Valley Hospital Center for Child Development and chair of the International Institute for Hearing Instruments Studies (IIHIS) committee
Advanced Level
Entry-level practitioners require the skill and knowledge to effectively and safely address the hearing concerns of their patients before they engage in independent practice. Technological advancements in hearing aid engineering combined with increasing competition require our trainees and newly licensed hearing aid specialists to demonstrate a high level of professionalism. Given that most new dispensers are trained through a business model of practice-based learning, it is the responsibility of the supervising licensee to ensure that each trainee has the skill set and knowledge that our profession demands. If you are currently or plan to train hearing instrument specialists, then this seminar is for you. It will provide supervisors and mentors with an integrated approach, training materials, and resources that result in an outcome-oriented learning experience. By professionalizing the profession, we can all contribute to improved patient care and the continuation of independent practice.
Real-Ear Measurement Track: Live Speech Mapping
Michael Poe, AS, President, Outback Enterprises, Inc.
Advanced Level
Utilizing live speech mapping technology to provide the best possible hearing instrument fitting is vital to the growth of your practice and the satisfaction of your patients. Practical application strategies with explanations of why this approach is effective in appealing to the new generation of hearing instrument wearers will be discussed. Strategies for measuring and activating advanced features of hearing instruments (noise reductions, multiple memories, frequency compression, directional microphones and feedback control) will be demonstrated.
Continuing Education Credit
The opening keynote presentation, general session and each of the convention seminars provide continuing education credit for a total of 13 credits available per person. Each seminar is worth 2 continuing education credits.
Developed with input and guidance from the International Institute for Hearing Instrument Studies Committee (IIHIS), IHS’ education committee, the focus was on providing a well-rounded educational event for attendees with inclusion of the following categories: hearing science, audiometric assessment, audiometric interpretation, counseling, counseling, hearing instrument technology, marketing, practice/business management, verification and validation.
Going Green
In accordance with our efforts to be environmentally responsible, we are taking a “Go Green” approach to seminar materials. Again this year we will not provide printed handouts. Instead, you may access seminar handouts after the convention on our website via exclusive attendee-only access.
Hearing Loop Technology
Looping systems are provided compliments of Wireless Hearing Solutions
