American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

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Know the Facts...ASHA Supports the Profession of Audiology

The numbers tell the story…

  • More audiologists affiliate with ASHA than any other professional organization.
  • In 2012, more than 14,000 CCC-A audiologists affiliated with ASHA.
  • The retention rate for certified audiology members has remained above 95% for the past decade.

Audiology has significant representation in ASHA's governance.

  • The Audiology Advisory Council comprises 54 ASHA members (equivalent in number to its speech-language pathology counterpart) who are certified audiologists or hearing scientists.
  • Audiology has equal representation in the practice-specific areas of the ASHA Board of Directors.  

ASHA advocates for audiology professional services.

Association volunteer leaders and ASHA National Office staff:

  • represent and advocate for the interests of the audiology profession before federal regulators and legislators;
  • work with public and private payers for reimbursement for audiology services;
  • advocate for coverage of diagnostic, rehabilitative, and monitoring services provided by audiologists as part of a comprehensive Medicare benefit;
  • represent audiology before the American Medical Association and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for billing and coding issues to ensure adequate reimbursement rates for audiology services.

ASHA and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation support audiology science and research.

  • ASHA offers four peer-reviewed journals. The American Journal of Audiology and the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research feature many articles of interest to audiologists.
  • ASHA's National Center for Evidence-Based Practice in Communication Disorders (N-CEP) has guided ASHA's commitment toward evidence-based practice.
  • ASHA's new online Practice Portal combines evidence, expert opinion, and a wealth of resources to inform evidence-based clinical practice.
  • ASHA actively promotes research funding through its support of the ASHFoundation, which funds eight science-related programs.

ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) signifies quality.

  • First established in 1952, the Certificate of Clinical Competence is nationally recognized by state licensure boards, employers, and consumers.
  • The over 14,000 audiologists who maintain their certification have committed to ongoing continuing education and strong professional ethics.
  • ASHA certification allows audiologists to easily transfer their licensure from one state to another.

ASHA is a leader in establishing and enforcing ethical standards for the professions.

  • The ASHA Board of Ethics adjudicates an average of five audiology complaints per year, leading to public sanctions such as revocation, censure, and reprimand.
  • The 12-member Board comprises at least five audiologists, five speech-language pathologists, and one public member.

The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) is committed to high academic standards for audiology training programs.

  • All 74 audiology entry-level clinical doctoral education programs are accredited by (73) or hold candidacy status with (1) the CAA.
  • To be CAA accredited, programs must agree to meet current academic and clinical standards and agree to be monitored and evaluated through periodic site visits.
  • The CAA accreditation site visitor pool includes 28 audiologists (13 academics and 15 practitioners).
  • CAA is the only accrediting agency for graduate education programs in audiology that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
  • Since 1964, CAA has been continuously recognized as an accrediting agency for graduate education programs in audiology by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and its predecessors.
  • Seven audiologists serve on CAA (five academics and two practitioners).

ASHA helps audiologists enhance their professional practice through high quality professional consultation and professional development.

  • Over 8,000 audiologists contact ASHA each year with questions related to professional ethics, scope of practice, practice management, patient education, and advocacy.
  • The ASHA National Office has a staff of 250, including 10 certified audiologists.
  • Of the 152,000 calls and e-mails ASHA received last year, 7,800 were audiology related. That is 650 calls and e-mails each month from professionals and consumers.
  • Every October, ASHA offers the largest annual online educational conference for audiologists—providing a convenient, affordable way for audiologists to earn continuing education credits.
  • There are 540 ASHA Approved CE Providers throughout the country.
  • In 2012, there were 6,500+ opportunities to earn ASHA CEUs for audiology-specific courses.

ASHA is committed to seeking opportunities to engage and unite audiologists, audiology organizations, and other stakeholders on issues of importance to the profession and individuals with hearing loss.

Here are some examples of ASHA's efforts on this front:

ASHA and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation support audiology students.

ASHA actively promotes public awareness of hearing health issues.

  • ASHA's Speak Up About Hearing Loss campaign has reached nearly 200 million consumers.
  • ASHA's Listen To Your Buds campaign has reached media audiences in the hundreds of millions using audiologists all around the country as media sources.
  • ASHA's public information efforts reach millions of consumers each year, and almost a third of the visitors to ASHA's website are from the public.

Interesting Facts About ASHA's History

  • ASHA has represented audiologists for over 80 years.
  • The Association was founded in 1925.
  • The ASHA Code of Ethics was first introduced in 1935.
  • Past ASHA President Raymond Carhart was the first to use the term audiology back in 1945.
  • "Hearing" was added to the Association's name in 1947.
  • Certification standards were established in 1952.

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