CAA Call to Action!
Support Elimination of Dual Licensure Bill AB 1535 in Senate!

This next hearing will be vital to the survival of AB 1535 in the Senate.  You managed to produce almost 300 letters of support when this bill was in the Assembly, but as predicted, the opposition is gearing up for a HUGE BATTLE in the Senate.  We need every audiologist, institution, physician colleague, and consumer to take action NOW!

We need you to write letters again, this time to the Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee.

To help you with this here is a Prototype Letter, as well as the Senate Committee Roster.  

Hearing Date: July 6, 2009
So get your letters in no later than
July 1st!

More critical information...

New Entry Level Standards For Licensure

The Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee has agreed to carry the language which would raise the entry-level standards for audiologists to the doctorate degree as of December 31, 2007 (with grandfathering provisions for audiologists who graduated prior to the specified date). With the help and support of Barry Brokaw (representing CAA), the executive officer of SLPAB, Annemarie DelMugnaio, properly educated the Republican Senate staff on the clean-up provisions and received their approval to move forward with placing the language in a Committee omnibus bill. Since the Committee bill is already in print and released, the audiology doctoral training language will be amended into the bill in approximately 30 days. This is something to celebrate!
(Posted 3/2/2009)

SB 821 passed senate without opposition.
(Posted 05/06/2009)

California Dept. of Consumer Affairs:
AARP/HearUSA Decision

An official decision regarding the AARP/HearUSA hearing aid referral and discount program has now been issued. Read the memorandum from the California Department of Consumer Affairs regarding this decision. (Posted 2/25/2009)

2008 Conference Presentations

PowerPoint Presentations made at the Ninth Annual Conference of the California Academy of Audiology, September 11-13, 2008, are now available for download to attendees and members only.

CAA Survey of Audiologists

Click here to view results .

In July 2008, CAA conducted a survey of audiologists in California to assess their legislative and educational priorities. Click the link above to see the aggregate summary data. If the survey was not sent to you via email, please update us with your email address by contacting info@caaud.org or 310.821.6179.

"Turn It To The Left"

"Turn It to the Left" is an educational rap song written by Benjamin Jackson, who sang the song at the last AAA conference to a standing ovation. The song is in support of the AAA's campaign to raise public awareness about the dangers of exposure to high sound pressure levels. To read about the campaign and hear the song or see a performance of it, please visit www.turnittotheleft.com.

Congress Overrides President's Veto on Medicare Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives successfully voted to override the President's veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331) by an overwhelming 383-41 vote. The United States Senate followed the House and approved the override by a margin of 70-26.

The bill includes a provision to stop the scheduled 10.6 % reduction on provider payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule (under which audiologists are paid) with a continuation of the current conversion factor for 2008 and an additional 1.1% update for 2009.

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10th Annual CAA Conference

4 Manufacturer Workshops on
Wednesday Sept.23, 2009 before the
10th Annual CAA Conference
Sept. 24–26, 2009
Hilton San Diego Mission Valley
More...

Register online now!
Members, log in first to save over $100.

Earn CEU Credits

If you need to update your pediatric practice knowledge and get CEUs, there is a limited availability for free or discounted credits at the

Infant Audiology Symposium: Establishing Guidelines for Care

on July 30-31, 2009. This workshop includes some of California's top audiologists discussing auditory neuropathy, infant diagnostic practices, and treatment for infants with hearing loss, as well as a break-out session specific for peer collaboration and participation in revision of the California Infant Audiology Assessment Guidelines. Scholarships are limited and awarded to early registrants. For more information or to register, go online at: www.cce.csus.edu/ias09. (Posted 5/8/09)

Find your
Assembly District Representative
by City of Residence or Employment

Not sure who the legislative representative is in your assembly district? Look it up here .

California State Budget and Medi-Cal

In response to members' questions, the California state budget, as signed, calls for the elimination of certain Medi-Cal “optional benefits” within 90 days of passage. Thus, by June 1 these optional benefits will be eliminated for adults 21 years of age or older, including individuals with developmental disabilities.   The optional benefits include:

• Audiology services
• Speech-Language Pathology services
• Adult Dental services
• Optometry services
• Optician and Optical Laboratory services
• Acupuncture services
• Podiatry services
• Chiropractor services
• Psychology services
• incontinence creams and washes

All of these services are provided at the state's option and are not federally required, but are federally reimbursed. The Obama stimulus package provides additional funds to California for Medi-Cal costs.  There is language in the California budget bills to allow the optional benefits programs to carry forward upon receipt of the federal monies. Therefore, stay tuned; hopefully the elimination of benefits will never take effect. (as of 05/06/2009)

Volunteer Opportunities

The CAA board has started a volunteer opportunity program designed for you, the Audiologists of California, to get involved in various State programs and issues. More...

Ethics Questions

Do you have any questons about appropriate ethical practices? Ask our Ethics Panel Coordinator.

Can You Hear Me Now? The Impacts of Hearing Loss

Though it's one of the most common workplace injuries, noise-induced hearing loss also is one of the most overlooked. Employees and employers who don't pay attention to the importance of hearing protection potentially could lose much more than just their hearing. More...