Party Like It’s 1999

By Bre Myers

This article is a part of the March/April 2020, Volume 32, Number 2, Audiology Today issue.

What a year 1999 was! With excitement and apprehension as to what would happen when the ball dropped and all four digits of the year rolled over to 2000. Some people were stockpiling batteries and canned foods, while others were busy prophesying on what was to come. As for me, I was an undergraduate. My primary concern was how my friends and I were going to make a 24-hour road trip down to Florida to ring in the New Year at Phish’s Big Cypress Festival and make it back in time for the start of spring semester. Graduate school was a few years away, and I was blissfully ignorant of most of the professional turmoil. Meanwhile, audiologists were wondering what was to become of the profession. The AuD was in its infancy and master’s level programs still dominated the academic arena. However, changes were on the way. In October, a special edition of Audiology Today, edited by Jerry Northern, published predictive articles from leaders of the time. Twenty years have gone by and I thought it would be interesting if a few of those leaders could reflect on their original ideas. I am grateful that a brave few returned my email request. You will recognize the names, as they continue to be influential forces in audiology education, business, research, and practice. Enjoy!