2026 Annual Conference Sessions

CONFERENCE SESSIONS

Keynote Speaker Announced!

It is our distinct pleasure to feature Dr. Cliff Olson, AuD as this year’s motivational keynote speaker. Beyond his keynote presentation, Dr. Olson will offer an additional compelling session that promises to inform, engage, and inspire.

Additional program details will be shared shortly.

Elevate Practice Performance

Upon completion, participants will be able to identify and interpret key performance indicators (KPIs) that drive audiology practice profitability.

Upon completion, participants will be able to develop and execute innovative growth and diversification plans for sustainable business success.

Upon completion, participants will be able to design patient experience strategies that enhance loyalty, referrals, and long-term satisfaction

Financial Fitness: The Pulse of a Healthy Practice is designed to help audiology professionals strengthen their business foundations and optimize the patient experience. Through data-driven strategies and real-world examples, this session equips attendees to enhance profitability, streamline operations, and build lasting patient loyalty.

Decode Your Data Financial success begins with understanding what your numbers mean. Participants will learn how to track and interpret essential performance metrics such as revenue per appointment, conversion ratios, and no[1]show rates. By connecting these metrics to actionable insights, audiologists can identify opportunities to boost profitability and make data-backed decisions that improve clinical and business outcomes. The

Profitability Puzzle Even small changes in patient conversion or retention can produce significant financial gains. Attendees will explore how to model profitability scenarios, uncover the “hidden multipliers” that drive revenue growth, and focus on the high-impact levers that truly move the needle.

Benchmark Brilliance Learn what successful clinics monitor daily—and what distractions they intentionally ignore. This section provides a roadmap to identify key benchmarks, set realistic performance goals, and establish accountability systems that foster continuous improvement.

Operational Efficiency: Doing More by Doing Smart Every minute counts. Attendees will compare scheduling strategies (block vs. open access) and explore how technology—AI reminders, patient portals, and integrated billing—can eliminate inefficiencies. The session offers practical methods to simplify workflows, reduce administrative friction, and create more time for patient care.

Patient Experience as a Business Strategy Patient loyalty begins with meaningful connection. The “Companion Effect” demonstrates how social and emotional connection can enhance outcomes and retention. Participants will learn how to design “moments that matter”—from follow-up calls to personalized anniversary notes—that transform routine visits into memorable experiences. When care feels personal, patients become advocates.

Innovative Growth Strategies: Beyond the Hearing Test Sustainable growth comes from diversification and foresight. Attendees will explore how to expand services through tinnitus management, custom ear protection, and membership-based care. Using the

Customer Intimacy Model, audiologists will learn to anticipate patient needs, position their clinic as a trusted community resource, and empower staff to act as sales and service champions. This session provides the tools, metrics, and mindset needed to maintain financial and operational health in a competitive marketplace. By blending analytics, efficiency, and empathy, participants will leave ready to build a resilient and financially fit practice that thrives for years to come.

Navigating Speech-in-Noise Deficits: Linking Cognitive Health to Evidence-Based Hearing Technology Selection for Better Outcomes

Participants will be able to Identify the relationship between hearing loss, speech-in-noise (SPIN) ability, and dementia risk, including key findings from the 2024 Lancet Commission.

Participants will be able to interpret speech-in-noise assessment outcomes, including signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) loss, and relate these findings to patients’ functional communication difficulties in everyday listening environments.

Participants will be able to integrate evidence-based hearing care strategies aimed at reducing listening effort and supporting participation in complex acoustic environments as part of a broader approach to cognitive health support.

Hearing loss is a leading modifiable risk factor for dementia, and recent evidence underscores the critical role of speech-in-noise (SPIN) ability in supporting cognitive health. This session will review the latest findings on the relationship between hearing loss, SPIN performance, and dementia risk, and discuss how routine SPIN assessment can inform patient care by identifying signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) deficits and functional communication challenges. Participants will learn about evidence-based strategies for interpreting SPIN results, supporting selective auditory attention, and reducing listening effort in complex listening environments. By integrating these approaches into clinical practice, clinicians can help patients maintain participation in everyday communication and potentially support long-term cognitive health.

Understanding Implantable Hearing Solutions & Growing Your Practice: A Surgeon’s Perspective

  1. By the end of this session, participants will be able to recognize key milestones in a patient’s hearing loss progression where introducing implantable technology becomes relevant.
  2. By the end of this session, participants will gain confidence in understanding the medical aspects of implantable hearing solutions to inform appropriate counseling for potential candidates.
  3. By the end of this session, participants will be provided with clinical evidence and tools to increase awareness for overall hearing health with referring primary care physicians and ENTs.

This comprehensive course is designed for hearing healthcare professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of implantable solutions from a surgical standpoint. Dr. Varun Varadarjan will explore the various types of implantable devices, their clinical applications, and the surgical considerations involved in their implantation. Through case study discussions, the course will cover candidacy and outcomes along with addressing common questions from candidates and how hearing healthcare professionals can support patients in their care. Additionally, attendees will be provided with tools to increase awareness of overall hearing health when working with referring primary care physicians and ENTs. By the end of the course, attendees will be equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions regarding referrals for implantable solutions.

Strategies for Fitting Complex Hearing Losses

    Participants will be able to list at least three assumptions hearing care providers make when fitting typical patient audiograms.

    Participants will be able to recognize the processing limitations imposed by complex hearing loss.

    Participants will be able to develop alternative fitting strategies for patients with atypical hearing loss.

    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.

    Understanding and Supporting the Lived Experience of Hearing Loss in Older Adults

      Define and explain the lived experience of hearing loss and its influence on older adults.

      Recognize the physical, emotional, and social dimensions affected by hearing impairment.

      Describe strategies for empowering individuals to manage their hearing health and maintain social involvement.

      Hearing loss is a widespread concern among older adults, deeply influencing their physical health, emotional well-being, and social participation. This session delves into the "lived experience" of hearing loss, emphasizing its progressive nature, emotional challenges, and adaptive coping strategies. Attendees will gain a holistic understanding of hearing loss, exploring its impact on communication, cognitive function, and social engagement. The course highlights approaches that empower individuals through education, personalized management, and the use of hearing aids and assistive listening technologies. Participants will also learn ways to promote positive aging by strengthening patient relationships, fostering resilience, and applying validated tools to evaluate auditory health and overall quality of life. Through evidence-based discussion, this program equips hearing care professionals with the insights and techniques needed to enhance the well-being of older adults living with hearing loss.