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Important Advocacy Message and Urgent Call to Action from the ADA Executive Director

Dear ADA Members,

I write to you today as ADA’s Executive Director, as an audiology patient, and as a fellow audiology advocate. I have seen firsthand the important and incredible work that you do to evaluate, diagnose, manage, and treat your patients, to train up and mentor audiology students into Doctors of Audiology, and to move the profession of audiology forward.

And, I am as angry as you are about the recent letter sent by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) to members of Congress that mischaracterized the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act (MAAIA), S. 1996/H.R. 2757, the audiology profession, and audiologists.

ICYMI, AAO-HNS told lawmakers that audiologists are unqualified to independently deliver hearing and balance services. They implied that the profession of audiology poses risks to patients. They even recruited dozens of medical societies—many with no connection to hearing and balance health—to sign onto their misinformation campaign.

We responded swiftly—and forcefully to hold AAO-HNS to account and to correct the misinformation publicly. The unprofessional nature of the AAO-HNS letter reeks of desperation and illustrates that AAO-HNS leaders most certainly know that they cannot win an argument to oppose MAAIA that is based on facts, so they have to resort to patronizing and paternalistic rhetoric.

My takeaway is that NOW is exactly the right time to make a huge, concerted push to get MAAIA over the finish line!! Many of you have reached out to ask me what you can do to help advance MAAIA and push back the ridiculous AAO-HNS claims. I have three urgent, time-sensitive requests for you to consider:

  1. Register and attend the ADA Members Advocacy Briefing and Town Hall Meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. There, we will provide important updates on our strategy to advance MAAIA and other key federal and state initiatives, which align with Audiology 2050 objectives.
  2. Register for ADA Lobby Day at AuDacity, which is scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2025, and help us carry the truth directly to Members of Congress. Every member matters! It’s simple math—the more audiologists who attend, the more powerful our voice, and the more powerful our impact!
  3. Please tell your colleagues and your patients to also register for ADA Lobby Day.
    • You do not need to be an ADA member to attend ADA Lobby Day.
    • You are not required to attend the AuDacity Conference to attend ADA Lobby Day.
    • You will receive access to professional (virtual) training and resources to help you prepare for ADA Lobby Day.
    • ADA’s staff team and lobbyists will take care of arranging your transportation from the hotel to Capitol Hill, scheduling all of your legislative meetings, and assigning you to a group of audiologists who will work together and support each other at all scheduled legislative meetings throughout the day. ADA will take care of all of the logistics so you can focus on sharing your personal story and experiences with your members of Congress.

Register Today!

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