The Student Affairs and Academic Standards Council, including the Academic and Clinical Education Resources (ACER) Committee, identified value in collating into a single area of the website for ease of access to the different resources that could be helpful to faculty and preceptors as they prepare AuD students for independent practice.

Interprofessional Practice

Interprofessional practice (IPP) reflects an appreciation for the diversity of knowledge and perspectives found in interprofessional teams. It is not always possible to provide students with clinical experiences that expose them to all disciplines, but they can develop foundational knowledge in their education.

In April 2024, the ACER Committee offered the annual Clinical Education Forum in conjunction with AAA 2024+HearTECH Expo. The focus of the forum was on interprofessional practice and featured presentations on the pillars of IPP and resources. The forum also included engaging activities, such as a heads-up game and group work on sample case studies. Presentation materials and handouts from the forum are available here.

Health Literacy

Attention to health literacy is important in audiology to ensuring that patients can effectively navigate complex information related to their hearing health. Low health literacy can lead to misunderstandings, missed appointments, and poor patient outcomes. From using plain language to being mindful of cultural differences, there are many ways to bridge the gap between their knowledge and the patient’s understanding. Issue two of The Audiology Bridge provides practical tips and resources for incorporating health literacy into practice and teaching. The Academy’s Academic and Clinical Resources Committee also prepared a consumer-focused information brochure that presents information in easy-to-understand language.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Through the work of the ACER Committee (formerly the Academic Programs Committee) and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Committee, the Academy has generated a variety of resources of relevance for audiology education and practice.

Learn more about the Academy’s work from the DEIB webpage—or access resources specific to supporting diversity in education, the workplace, and health-care settings.

The Audiology Bridge

This newsletter goes out to AuD program directors periodically to share information generated from the Academy that could be of interest to AuD educators. Each issue focuses on a specific topic.