The NHCA brought together professionals, researchers, and advocates from around the world for its 2nd Annual Fall Virtual Educational Summit. Across 14 sessions, attendees shared knowledge, inspiration, and a common purpose: to protect and preserve hearing.

The opening keynote appropriately reframed hearing conservation as a neurological and whole-person health issue, emphasizing the impact of noise, vibration, and stress on cognitive function prior to measurable hearing loss. We were honored to have other distinguished presentations on early-phase research on tinnitus treatments, hidden hearing loss, and international campaigns targeting hearing risks in gaming and esports—sectors with demonstrable but underaddressed hazards. The summit also addressed occupational vestibular disorders, ethical considerations in professional practice, industrial hygiene methodologies, and long-term hearing conservation programs in music education, illustrating the field's expanding scope beyond traditional industrial settings.

All live sessions have been recorded and are now available for on-demand viewing in the NHCA Learning Center, allowing members to revisit missed content or review material. Additionally, seven new on-demand sessions are now accessible, covering critical topics in occupational audiology, noise policy, research, and practical applications. These sessions remain available for CEU credit through Friday, October 17th.

Continuing Education: 1-hour continuing education (AAA and 0.1 ASHA) No credits of any kind will be offered for viewing the recorded version of this webinar. 

Program Level: Introductory 

About the Webinar: In an increasingly connected world, Bluetooth technology plays a critical role in enhancing communication and accessibility for individuals with hearing loss. This comprehensive online course is designed for hearing care professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of Bluetooth’s evolution and its transformative impact on hearing aids.

Participants will explore the history and development of Bluetooth technology, gain insight into the key differences between Classic Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and examine how these protocols are currently used in hearing instruments. The course will culminate with an in-depth look at Auracast™, the next-generation broadcast audio technology poised to revolutionize assistive listening. Attendees will learn how Auracast enables seamless audio sharing in public and private spaces, offering greater inclusion and improved user experiences.

By the end of this course, hearing professionals will be equipped with the knowledge to better counsel patients, make informed technology recommendations, and prepare for the integration of Auracast in clinical and real-world environments.

As we commemorate NHCA's golden anniversary, we're reaching out to those who have shaped our organization's remarkable journey over the past five decades. Your leadership and contributions have been instrumental in building the NHCA we know today.

Share Your NHCA Story: Record your own message or join Theresa Schulz and Devon Kulinski for a brief Zoom interview. Your reflections will be featured across our social media, website, and at our anniversary conference.

Contact Theresa Schulz at [email protected]; (724-554-4110) for more info or to schedule an interview session.

How does our auditory sense help us navigate the world when we are walking? A newly published study in the Journal of Neurosciences assessed if walking and the walking direction influences auditory information processing by the brain. They found that when participants walked in a figure-eight path, their brains responded more strongly to sounds, and turning direction influenced whether responses were enhanced or suppressed in each ear. A brief summary is provided in this article here.

For the full research paper, follow the link here.

Speaking, publishing, researching, performing, hearing? NHCA would love to hear about exciting changes and achievements in your professional and personal endeavors.

Who is NHCA?

Our Vision: To prevent hearing loss and other auditory disorders due to noise and secondary environmental factors in all sectors of society.

Our Mission: NHCA provides leadership, expertise, and education on hearing loss prevention strategies and services to the broader professional community and empowers and supports members through networking and advocacy.