Friday, September 19
Concurrent Seminar #1: 9:00AM - 10:00AM
Strategies for Fitting Complex Hearing Losses
Presented by Amanda Lawrence, AuD
There are assumptions and fitting decisions hearing care providers make when fitting amplification designed to address more typical patients. However, when fitting patients with more complex hearing loss those assumptions and fitting practices may become irrelevant. This course will review considerations and suggestions for amplification to achieve the best possible outcome for these patients.
About Speaker
Amanda Lawrence is the Education & Training Specialist for the Mountain Region at Oticon. She is responsible for new and continuing education programs for hearing care professionals, technical product training and audiology field support for adults and children. Dr. Lawrence was previously a clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois and has private practice experience specializing in pediatrics. She holds a Doctor of Audiology degree from AT Still University.
1.0 Continuing Education Credit
Concurrent Seminar #2: 1:45PM - 2:45PM
Basics of Otology & Neurotology
Presented by Kevin Zhan, MD
Why is it so hard for my patients to see an ENT!? This is a daily frustration for many hearing practices but the barriers to care may actually be artificial and completely circumventable. In this session, the presenter will discuss the joys of responsible collaboration and outreach between hearing care providers and ENT clinics. This can translate into significantly better care for patients and improved communication between referring hearing providers and surgeons. Moreover, Dr. Zhan will review the basics of common otologic and neurotologic conditions and their updated management, geared for hearing care professionals. A variety of clinical otoscopy images will be shown of numerous pathologies of the external ear and middle ear. The following conditions/scenarios that can result in hearing loss will be reviewed, with clinical videos, surgical videos, and other multimedia: Eustachian tube dysfunction; Tympanic membrane perforations; Cholesteatoma; Otitis externa; Pulsatile tinnitus; Vestibular schwannoma and other cranial tumors; Cochlear implants; Otosclerosis; Superior canal dehiscence; and CSF leak & encephalocele.
About Speaker
Dr. Kevin Zhan is an Assistant Professor of Otology & Neurotology and medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Cochlear Implant program. He also treats pediatric patients at Lurie Children’s Hospital. He completed his Otolaryngology residency at The Ohio State University and subsequent Otology, Neurotology & skullbase surgery fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, both high volume CI centers. He was heavily involved in the American Academy of Otolaryngology as a trainee and served on the Section for Resident and Fellows governing council for six years, ultimately as Chair of the SRF. He has a significant passion for teaching, research, and building the skullbase surgery and cochlear implant programs at Northwestern. He was recently awarded the American Cochlear Implant Alliance Pilot Innovations grant to further investigate cochlear implant utilization and access in the US using large datasets.
1.0 Continuing Education Credit
Saturday, September 20
Concurrent Seminar #3: 10:15AM - 11:15AM
Hidden Hearing Loss - The Ultimate Game of Hide & Seek
Presented by Keith Darrow, PhD & Tina Patton, BC-HIS
As hearing healthcare providers, we are tasked with uncovering the subtle changes in auditory function that can profoundly impact our patients’ lives. This presentation explores the concept of Hidden Hearing Loss, focusing on its relationship with aging going beyond the traditional audiogram and including Extended High Frequency (EHF) and Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) testing in clinical practice. Attendees will gain insights into the physiological changes associated with aging, how these changes manifest in symptoms like tinnitus and difficulty hearing in noise (before anything shows up on an audiogram!), and the diagnostic tools available to identify and manage these issues. The session will also cover real-world applications, including treatment case studies that demonstrate the value of incorporating EHF and OAEs into patient care.
About Speakers
Dr. Keith N. Darrow is a Harvard Medical School and M.I.T. trained neuroscientist, clinical audiologist, Certified Dementia Pracitioner - Trainer, Professor, author of two Amazon.com best-selling books and director of treatment at AuDExperts. Dr. Darrow’s clinical experience is vast and includes a fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and he is co-founder of the Hearing and Brain Centers of America. Dr. Darrow has chosen to lead the Excellence In Audiology international movement to improve the lives of the 1.5 billion people worldwide living with untreated hearing loss. Dr. Darrow is a nationally recognized speaker, trainer, and his research conducted at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary has been cited over 1250 times.
Tina Patton, BC-HIS has over 15 years of experience in hearing healthcare, including 10 years as the owner of her own practice. As someone who has worn hearing devices for more than 40 years, Tina brings a unique, empathetic perspective to her work. Tina is dedicated to improving her patients’ quality of life through better hearing and communication. Six months ago, she transitioned from 80% third-party referrals to 100% direct business, resulting in a LIST 43% increase in production this year.
1.0 Continuing Education Credit
Concurrent Seminar #4: 11:30AM - 12:30PM
Unilateral Hearing Loss & Single-Sided Deafness
Presented by Carrie Meyer, AuD, ABAC
Unilateral hearing loss makes up a little over 5 percent of patients with hearing loss. Yet, we all know these are our most challenging patients. Unilateral hearing loss has a profound effect on listening in noise and localization that makes these hearing aid fittings especially difficult. This presentation will provide an overview of common causes of unilateral hearing loss and help you use your test protocol to more completely assess these patients and guide your treatment recommendations. We will also explore current surgical and medical treatment options for single sided deafness and do a deep dive into recent advances in hearing aid and assistive technology to give you more tools to help this unique patient population.
About Speaker
Carrie Meyer, Au.D., is Director of Clinical Programs for Amplifon Hearing Healthcare. Dr. Meyer is an audiologist with over 35 years of clinical experience in diagnostic assessment of hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance dysfunction as well as hearing aid evaluation, fitting, and verification. In her role as Director of Clinical Programs, Dr. Meyer works with providers, health plans and members to optimize member hearing health outcomes by improving clinical care pathways through provider innovation, member education, and health plan support. Dr. Meyer is Chair of the American Board of Audiology and a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology as well as the Academy of Doctors of Audiology. Dr. Meyer is a member of the Concordia University St. Paul Board of Regents and chairs the Academic Committee.
1.0 Continuing Education Credit
Friday, September 19
Concurrent Seminar #1: 9:00AM - 10:00AM
When Contracts Conflict with Patient Choice: Ethical Paradoxes in a Dispensing Practice
Presented by Samantha Sikorski, ACA, CDP, CPCO
When participating with managed care programs, contracts often require their members (patients) receive products and services that meet the definition of medical necessity. But who decides what is or is not “medically necessary?” How does one comply with this requirement if no documentation is required when the claim is submitted? If a patient elects to upgrade their product, does that somehow render it medically unnecessary?
Contract provisions are often filled with stipulations that create challenges in patient care. As health plans insert themselves into the middle of the patient-provider relationship, it often leaves providers faced with their own ethical dilemmas. Knowing how to navigate this is vital to providing the patient with optimal outcomes while keeping the practice in compliance with their network contract.
In this session, we will investigate the common dilemmas providers are likely to face when participating in a plans’ network as well as a creative way one practice has elected to bypass these health plans altogether.
About Speaker
Samantha Sikorski, ACA CPCO CDP is a licensed hearing instrument specialist who owns and operates a hearing and tinnitus wellness center in northern Wisconsin, where she has practiced for over 20 years. In 2013, she co-founded an EHR system, Smartcare.io; and, in 2022, she opened a compliance practice after becoming a certified professional compliance officer. Samantha currently serves as the Chair of IHS's Managed Care and Compliance Committee and as a member of the Institute for International Hearing Instrument Studies. She also serves as a member of Wisconsin's Hearing and Speech Examining Board. Samantha specializes in managed care participation, HIPAA compliance, and initiating best practices. She is passionate about helping hearing care professionals become compliant in their practices.
1.0 Continuing Education Credit
Concurrent Seminar #2: 1:45PM - 2:45PM
Effective Marketing Through Generational Transition
Presented by Oli Luke
We are currently transitioning from predominantly serving Silent Generation patients to catering to Baby Boomers. This shift presents challenges due to the significant differences between these two generations. Their distinct belief systems, decision-making processes, and varying levels of wealth necessitate tailored approaches in hearing care to meet their unique preferences. In this presentation, Oli Luke will share data and key insights from studies on both generations, focusing on their preferences in patient care, decision-making, and marketing/education.
About Speaker
Oli Luke is a marketing strategist behind some of the most successful private practice hearing care clinics in North America. After building a digital marketing group and a direct mail company in the UK, Oli met the hearing care industry in 2017. With a small group of clinics across Texas, he implemented several unique industry-first ideas which delivered record results for driving upgrades and online growth (which have seen become industry norms.). Following demand for further help and ideas, he founded private consultancy group Orange & Gray alongside to partner with a small number of high-performing private practices to help them to accelerate growth, set benchmarks of excellence, and spearhead the future of private practice. In 2021, he launched the Business of Hearing Podcast which has become the #1 marketing podcast in the industry.
1.0 Continuing Education Credit
Saturday, September 20
Concurrent Seminar #3: 10:15AM - 11:15AM
The Science of Decision Behavior
Presented by Ken LaFerle, AuD, CCC-A, FAAA
One of the greatest challenges is to get the hearing impaired patient to take action and address their hearing loss. This session will focus on psychological studies that identify the behaviors and triggers that get people to make a decision. Areas such as brain information processing, meaningful cues and powerful counseling techniques will be explored. All of the information will focus on practical application based on best practices of top practitioners. members of the practice.
About Speaker
Ken LaFerle is currently the President of K and K Labs, LLC providing consulting for both hearing and occupational therapy services. He has been in the hearing industry in various roles for the past 40 plus years with a focus on training and education. In addition, he is an adjunct professor at the College of DuPage. LaFerle has written several articles in national trade publications and has presented at over 100 state and national meetings as well as Canada, Mexico, Denmark, Spain, Brazil, South Africa, India, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, and Japan. LaFerle received his B.A. degree in Psychology & Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Michigan and his M.S. degree in Audiology from the University of Montevallo in Alabama where he was named outstanding graduate student. He received his AuD from Salus University in 2007. In addition to his tenure with Beltone, Ken has also worked for the State of Louisiana Health Department and for an E.N.T. practice where he established hearing aid dispensing for the office. LaFerle holds a certificate of clinical competence in audiology. In addition, he holds an audiology license and hearing aid dispensing license in the states of Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.
1.0 Continuing Education Credit
Concurrent Seminar #4: 11:30AM - 12:30PM
Integrating Tinnitus Care Into Your Practice
Presented by John Hoglund, ACA, BC-HIS
In this engaging session, attendees will learn actionable insights to operationalize tinnitus care with the patients/clients they’re already serving and attract prospective patients/clients. Attendees will learn the essentials to own tinnitus care and referrals in their market and walk away with resources to further expand their knowledge and services if desired.
About Speaker
John Hoglund, ACA, BC-HIS has been taking care of the needs of the hearing impaired throughout Florida since 1985 and served on the Florida Hearing Society (FHS) Board for 14 years. He and his wife Patricia owned Hearing Centers throughout Southwest Florida including Southwest Florida Tinnitus and Hearing Center which opened in 2010 to specifically address the needs of Tinnitus sufferers in their community. John worked with Dr. Richard Tyler and the other members of the task force to develop the curriculum and examination now used in the IHS Tinnitus Care Provider Certificate Program. John, Patricia, and 6 other Audiologists and Hearing Instrument Specialists they employed attended the very first Tinnitus Care Provider Certificate Program class in Orlando, Florida in 2016, which expanded the services to Tinnitus Patients through each of their four clinics. John has written multiple articles for about Tinnitus care for The Hearing Professional and many other health publications. In 2024, John became an instructor for the Tinnitus Care Provider Certificate Program.
1.0 Continuing Education Credit
Saturday, September 20 ONLY
Concurrent Seminar #1: 10:15AM - 11:15AM
Leadership Fishbowl
Moderated by Todd Beyer, ACA, BC-HIS
In this collaborative session, attendees will have the opportunity to both teach and learn from their peers on a variety of topics relevant to hearing healthcare practice owners. Attendees should be ready to take turns sitting in a "hot seat" to share their expertise. The session will be facilitated by a business owner.
1.0 Continuing Education Credit
Concurrent Seminar #2: 11:30AM - 12:30PM
Patient-Centered Communication: The 'Yes, And…' Approach
Presented by Michelle Weiss, MA
Effective communication is at the core of the hearing healthcare professional’s role. By prioritizing effective listening, professionals can ensure that patients leave visits feeling better and wanting to return. A big part of this involves making patients feel genuinely heard, and involving them in the shared decision-making related to their hearing healthcare journey. In this hands-on session, participants will explore the scholarship supporting the use of improvisational theatre training for medical and other clinical training. They will also engage with key improvisational theatre principles and exercises to enhance such relevant skills as communication, teamwork, and cognition. Attendees should be prepared to move around, participate in games and discussions, and laugh!
About Speaker
Michelle Weiss, MA has been part of the Professional Development staff at IHS for over 5 years, working with subject matter experts on training programs such as the 2022 Edition of the Distance Learning course and the new AHAP Program. She received her MA in Theatre Education from Emerson College and her BA from the University of Michigan. Outside of IHS, Michelle has been performing and teaching improvised theatre for over a decade in Michigan and at festivals around the country. She co-founded and functioned as both the Executive Director and Artistic Director of a nonprofit theatre organization, Whatabout Theatre, and is known for her engaging facilitation, bold characters, and curriculum development skills.
1.0 Continuing Education Credit