CAA News
CAA Position Statement on OTC devices and Sound Amplifying Products
Contributors: Marshall Chasin. AuD., Steve Aiken, PhD., Steve Armstong, B. Eng Elec., Calvin Staples, M.Sc.
Date: April 2025
This position statement represents the Canadian Academy of Audiology’s (CAA) position on a particular topic or area of practice. It provides a time-limited viewpoint that will be reviewed and revised as necessary when and if new information becomes available. This document represents an update from a previous Position Statement from the CAA on a similar topic and it can be found at: https://canadianaudiology.ca/professional-resources/guidelines-and-position-statements/
Position:
In the past several years, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized legislation creating a category of Over-The-Counter (OTC) devices (Federal Register, 2022). These medically regulated devices are subject to regulations designed to address safety and reasonable quality, and to address the communication issues arising for those people with mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss in adults. (Federal Register, 2022)... Click here to read full statement.
Two Related Documents Exclusive to Members (must login to view):
- Click for Backgrounder designed with technical information for Audiologists
- A summary sheet to share with consumers and physicians: Consumer and Physician Information - Canadian Academy of Audiology Position Statement on Over-The-Counter devices and Sound Amplifying Products
Conference link : https://canadianaudiology.ca/what-we-do/conference/
CAA Membership
A CAA Membership is one of the best ways to elevate your career and the profession of Audiology as a whole. We offer a host of professional benefits for clinicians, students, and early career Audiologists in the core pillars of Education, Advocacy, Support, and Promotion. Stay tuned over coming weeks to learn more.
To read more about all the ways CAA can benefit your career, click the link https://canadianaudiology.ca/get-involved/become-a-member/benefits-of-membership/
CAA Membership renewal for the March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026 year is open now!
Steps to Renew Your Membership
- Click here to Login https://canadianaudiology.ca/pay-my-fees
- Select the “Renew Your Membership” option in the top right-hand section of the screen, and follow the steps to renew.
- To Join CAA click: https://canadianaudiology.ca/get-involved/become-a-member/
- OTC Position paper: I don’t have a blurb for the OTC position paper yet. I haven’t received the go ahead from Jean to share anything about it but I will forward anything along when I get them.
- Call for CAA Award Nominations
Every year Canadian Academy of Audiology (CAA) honours people who have made significant contributions to the profession of Audiology. We invite you to help us identify deserving candidates by submitting nominations for consideration.
Nomination Procedure
Nominations may be submitted by any member of the Academy and need to be seconded by a member. Nominations for the Jean Kienapple Award can also be made by non-members.
Awards (see website for full description of each award)
- Moneca Price Humanitarian Award
- Paul Kuttner Pioneer Award
- Jean Kienapple Award for Clinical Excellence
- William Cole Industry Award
- Honours of the Academy
- Richard Seewald Career Award
Nominees do not have to be a CAA member to be considered for these categories.
Nominations must include the reason for nomination with sufficient detail on the nominee’s training, background, experience, and outstanding aspects of their professional career. This will allow the Awards Committee to evaluate the nomination. For the Jean Kienapple Award, nominations should include testimonials from clients or other individuals impacted by the nominee.
*Student Awards, and the President’s Award have separate nomination procedures.
Deadline for Submissions are June 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET
Click here for award nomination form:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F96L5WRM
See 2024 award winners at https://canadianaudiology.ca/what-we-do/honours-and-awards/
- CAA Marketing Resources: Sample marketing resources image attached (Matt may want to use other images)
CAA has a library of marketing resources that Audiologists can use to educate about hearing loss prevention as they access and manage hearing conditions.
This broad range of resources can be used to support Audiologist's May Hearing Month activities. CAA members can view these resources by clicking https://canadianaudiology.ca/login?redirect_to=/professional-resources/marketing-resources/ (must login).
Also see the library of awareness videos found at: https://canadianaudiology.ca/for-the-public/videos-video/
The Canadian Academy of Audiology Supports Research Science in USA.
With the recent political challenges in the United States, it is unfortunate that science, and the act of doing science are getting trampled by the American political agenda. Severe restrictions have been put on government agencies such as the National Institutes of Health.
The Canadian Academy of Audiology supports both basic and clinically translational science that have been the mainstay of the research into hearing and vestibular sciences, especially from those working in the United States. We acknowledge the difficulties that our American colleagues are experiencing and strongly support and appreciate the important research that has been produced by members of organizations such as the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, the American Auditory Society, the American Academy of Audiology, the Acoustical Society of America, the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, and others.