Currently viewing Vol. 7 • Issue 3 • 2020

Message from the President

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Dear CAA Members,

As dedicated members of our Canadian healthcare system, Audiologists have had to suddenly expand their focus from how we service our patients yesterday and today to how we plan to provide our services in the months and years ahead.  Since March until early May, only essential services (life sustaining) were permitted in-person under provincial state of emergency rules. Audiologists quickly found innovative new models of care in a technology driven industry.  At the time of publishing this issue, a few provinces have started implementing phased plans to relax strict restrictions while other provinces have orders to remain vigilant in providing only essential services.  Plans are determined by provincial and territorial government leaders and guided by public health officials.

To support those trying to optimize the use of eAudiology solutions, CAA has sponsored 2 free webinars on methods, regulations, issues, and practical applications.  More than 700 viewers attended these combined sessions.  Bill Campbell, clinic owner in Northern Ontario and past CAA president, shared his knowledge and experience about eAudiology.  He worked with legal and research advisors from Western University and also invited input from both Erica Zaia and Salima Jiwani.  Please look for a more in-depth article on eAudiology in this issue of Canadian Audiologist.  CAA also posted practical advice summaries for e-Audiology focusing on tinnitus (Jodi Haberstock) and vestibular concerns (Erica Zaia and Janine Verge).

Another critical CAA mission is to advocate for our student members who are the future our profession.  Students need our support more than ever. All students currently enrolled in our university programs have been significantly impacted through cancelled or postponed fieldwork placements.  Our students need you and our students are the future of our profession.  Once clinics open up, there will be significant backlog and increased wait times.  Students would benefit from participating during this critical time.  They will need the experience to fully attain their clinical competencies and ultimately to graduate and enter the workforce. CAA strongly urges their members to support our students through mentorship and quality clinical education. Contact CAA or one of the university programs for more information on how you can mentor a student once public health restrictions are lifted in your region.

Most recently, CAA has worked with SAC and MD coalition members to support the release of the Canadian Coalition on Adult Hearing Health Tips for Healthcare Providers Communicating with Patients with Hearing Loss.

Our website and newsletters have a list of links and references to help support audiologists to manage their multiple impacts of the pandemic closures on their practice and businesses. CAA also has a library of webinars available for viewing and we have many more coming soon!

We are dedicated to supporting you in any way we can.  Please feel free to reach out if you have an idea of how we can help.  None of us have been spared by the impact of recent events, yet we are a resilient profession and have been and continue to do a lot to help each other.  Our thanks go to all of you who are facing this challenging time with courage, optimism and helping others, both in audiology circles as well as our wide Canadian community.

Warmest Regards,

 

 

 

 

Sarah E. Mason

CAA President

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About the author

Sarah Mason, MClSc, AuD, CAA President

Dr. Sarah Mason received a Bachelor of Science from Dalhousie University and a Master’s of Clinical Science (Audiology) from Western University. She received her Doctor of Audiology degree from A.T. Stills University. Dr. Mason worked at Children’s Hospital in Seattle, Washington for over a decade.  She then worked as Clinical Director for a group of private practice clinics in Ontario.   Dr. Mason currently serves as the Academic Coordinator for Clinical Education at Dalhousie University where she teaches courses in clinical methods and pediatric aural rehabilitation. She is a member of the Advocacy Committee as well as the Practice Education Committee at the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She also supervises patient care through the Dalhousie Hearing aid Assistance Program and on-site Audiology Clinic at the school. Her professional interests include special populations, family centred counselling, student advocacy and mentorship.