Unleash Audiology’s Potential through ADA Committee Service
Stephanie Czuhajewski, MPH, CAE, Executive Director
ADA’s mission is to advance practitioner excellence, high ethical standards, professional autonomy, and sound business practices in the provision of quality audiologic care. ADA has been long recognized as the leader in promoting ownership of the audiology profession through autonomous practice.
Yet, ownership of the audiology profession goes beyond practice ownership and professional autonomy in clinical decision-making. To truly own the audiology profession, audiologists must be recognized as trusted doctoring professionals who adhere to high ethical standards by practicing fullscope, evidence-based audiology and advocating for the best interests of their patients.
As ADA members are keenly aware, ethical standards in audiology are not merely suggestions. They are the foundation of trust and integrity in the patient-clinician relationship, safeguarding against conflicts of interest that undermine patient care.
ADA and its leaders strive to promote public policies that align with ADA’s Code of Ethics. Recently, ADA had the opportunity to provide public comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to address proposed CMS policy changes to the Medicare Advantage program.
ADA asked CMS to implement requirements that will
- Promote transparency in the Medicare Advantage plan marketing of hearing “benefits” through clear language and disclosures about whether the benefit is funded insurance or a discount plan,
- Increase consumer awareness about the hearing benefits that they are entitled to receive under Medicare Advantage, including comprehensive diagnostic audiologic examinations (when medical necessity is established), and
- Assure that recommended audiologic treatments and interventions are based on the best available research and clinical expertise, rather than on commercial incentives.
Please scan the QR code (above right) to read ADA’s comments in their entirety. I hope that you will find these comments align with ADA’s mission, values, and ethical standards that are worthy of a clinical doctoring profession. ■