75th Anniversary - International Hearing Society (IHS)

For 75 years, the International Hearing Society (IHS) has been at the forefront of advancing hearing care and empowering hearing healthcare professionals worldwide. As we celebrate this milestone throughout 2026, we honor the generations who have shaped our legacy and look forward to a future of service, connections, innovation, and advocacy. Under the theme “Uniting Generations. Advancing Hearing Care.”, we invite you to join us in a year-long journey of reflection, engagement, and progress. Together, we will amplify our impact through four pillars: Advocacy, Relationships, Communication, and Education.

Be part of the celebration—share your story or historical artifacts, participate in events, and help us shape the next chapter of hearing care.

Share Your Story & Voice Your Impact

We’re celebrating the people who have shaped our journeys—mentors who guided us, peers who inspired us, and mentees who challenged us to grow. We’d love for IHS Members to recognize those meaningful connections by sharing their story on our Interactive Story Board! Sign in using the button below to access the story board.

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Celebrating 75 Years Together

As part of our 75th Anniversary celebration, we are honored to share messages from our valued partners and supporters.

On April 23, 2026, U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten (D-MI), joined by Reps. Tom Barrett (R-MI), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Haley Stevens (D-MI), introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing the 75th anniversary of the International Hearing Society (IHS). Read the full story and view the resolution!

Congratulations Message from Miracle-Ear

Emiliano Di Vincenzo, EVP Amplifon America, CEO Miracle-Ear, and Dr. Tom Tedeschi, Chief Audiology Officer Amplifon & Miracle-Ear share a warm congratulations.

HIA 75th Anniversary letter from Brandon Sawalich and Bridget Dotson

HIA Letter of Congratulations

The Hearing Industries Association (HIA) congratulates the International Hearing Society on 75 years of advancing hearing healthcare through leadership, education, and collaboration. Read the letter.

Elissa Slotkin's office: Congressional Record for 75th anniversary.

Senator Elissa Slotkin Record Statement

Senator Elissa Slotkin honors IHS’
75-year Anniversary in an official statement entered into the Congressional Record. Access Senator Slotkin’s statement.

Group celebrates 75th anniversary with Michigan artwork

Senator Gary Peters Record Statement

Senator Gary Peters recognizes IHS’s 75-year Anniversary in an official statement entered into the Congressional Record. View Senator Peters’s statement.

Amplifying Our Impact Under Four Pillars

Letter written and signed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan sent on September 22, 1982. Letter is on The White House letterhead with attention to Floyd E. Loupot, President of the National Hearing Aid Society, and reads "I take great pleasure in extending my warm greetings to all those agtered for the National Hearing Aid Society's thirty-first Annual Convention. This event helps bring deserved attention to those whose training and skills provide greatly needed treatment, service, and assistance to our citizens who are deaf or hearing impaired. Through your efforts, many handicapped people attain higher levels of achievement and improved quality of life faciliated by your professional expertise and devoted concern. You have my best wishes for a succesful and productive convention." — In 1982, U.S. President Ronald Reagan wrote to the attendees of the 31st Annual Convention expressing best wishes for a successful event. He was a proponent of hearing healthcare as an early adopter of ITC customized hearing aids.

Advocacy

IHS has fought for representation of Hearing Aid Specialists throughout history and continues to champion policies that safeguard the hearing care profession and guarantee individuals have access to high-quality services through their provider of choice. Through advocacy and action, we strive to protect professional standards, expand care availability, and ensure hearing health remains a priority for all.

Relationships

IHS celebrates the connections that unite generations of hearing healthcare professionals and the patients they serve. Through shared experiences, mentorship, and collaborations, we connect people, organizations, and partners to inspire service, innovation, and growth, and ensure the continued advancement of hearing care for communities worldwide.

board of governors cutting the ribbon at the opening event to the IHS World Headquarters — IHS celebrated the official grand opening of its newly remodeled world headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan, on April 30, 2024

Audecibel cover issue right before rebranding to The Hearing Professional. — In 2001, IHS *The Audecibel* Magazine renamed to what is now *The Hearing Professional* Magazine

Communication

IHS has connected thousands of professionals, organizations, and partners through its history, and promotes and facilitates dialogue and connection within our community by sharing insights, updates, and opportunities that matter most. Through clear, consistent communication, we strengthen trust, foster collaboration, and ensure every member feels informed, connected, and empowered to advance hearing care.

Education

IHS honors the evolving role of education in developing new professionals through the development and introduction of new training programs throughout the years, driving personal growth and excellence in hearing care. By fostering continuous learning and sharing knowledge, we empower hearing care providers to innovate, adapt, and deliver the highest standard of care for every patient.

old photo from the first institute meeting — 1974 first meeting of what is now known as the International Institute of Hearing Instrument Studies (IIHIS) Committee

IHS 2026 Conference & Expo — Where voices unite and hearing leads. August 12–15, Washington, D.C.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Washington, D.C., to celebrate a historic milestone—the 75th Anniversary of the International Hearing Society! Under our theme, “Where Voices Unite and Hearing Leads,” you helped honor our rich legacy, advocate for our profession, and actively shape the future of hearing healthcare.

As we look ahead, we invite you to join us next year in the Mile High City! Save the date for the IHS 2027 Conference & Expo, September 16 – 18 in Denver, Colorado, as we “Rise Higher Together!” Stay tuned for registration and programming details.

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