The Right Place and the Right Time
If you are interested in parks, museums, and music, then Chicago is the place for you. Stroll through Millennium Park and view the amazing Cloud Gate sculpture. Visit the many wonderful museums. Enjoy the local music scene – Chicago is the birthplace of electric blues. If you are also interested in audiology, then the Audiology Convention at ASHA in Chicago this November is the right place at the right time for you. Many consider the Chicago area the birthplace of audiology. The first academic audiology program was established, and the first PhD in audiology was given at Northwestern University near Chicago. Raymond Carhart, a Professor at Northwestern is often called the "Father of Audiology." The universities around Chicago have a long tradition of audiology education and auditory research. The Chicago region is also home to many companies that manufacture hearing aids and related audiological products.
The theme for 2008 is "Celebrating the Winds of Change." Yes, it is a little clichéd, but it was so appropriate that we had to use it. After all, Chicago is known as the "Windy City." More importantly, the profession of audiology, ASHA, and this year's audiology program are experiencing significant change. All features of the Convention's audiology program are being reviewed with some changes already implemented and others under consideration. A primary objective is to make the meeting more accessible to those who submit papers and/or attend sessions. Consistent with "all things audiology in one place" and past tradition, the audiology program at the 2008 Convention will be a "convention within a convention." Recently, I toured the new West addition at McCormick Place and selected the rooms for the audiology sessions. They are together on the first floor with easy access to other activities. On the website for presentation submission, the separate General Interest category has been eliminated and the six topics under General Interest will appear under Audiology. Likewise, in the published program, there will be no General Interest section so that all relevant sessions will appear under Audiology. In addition, presentations will appear each day under the Topic Area, e.g., Hearing Science, not under session type, as has been the practice the past several years. This should facilitate the submission of papers and the identification of presentations to attend at the convention.
We have an outstanding group of Topic Coordinators: Ruth Bentler, Deborah Carlson, Gail Chermak, Barbara Cone-Wesson, John Ferraro, Patricia McCarthy, Brenda Ryals, Neil Shepard, and Anne Marie Tharpe. Currently, we are working on the invited speakers and innovated session formats. One of the most exciting ideas being considered is the development of several structured workshops from invited and submitted presentations. So, if you are interested in a great city, great audiology, and great fun, ASHA 2008 is the right meeting for you.
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