Join us on October 30th, 2024, for a unique opportunity to dive into the latest research and practical applications in hearing conservation. The first annual NHCA Fall Virtual Educational Summit brings together experts from around the globe to explore the intersections of hearing, health, and occupational safety. 

Expect a dynamic mix of live and on-demand sessions, all offering CEUs. Live sessions will be recorded, allowing participants to watch on-demand in the NHCA Learning Center if they are not able to the live events. Whether you’re interested in the long-term health impacts of noise exposure, innovative approaches to hearing loss and tinnitus research, or practical tools for occupational audiology, this Summit has something for everyone.

Our carefully curated sessions will cover a wide range of topics, including:

• Receive an introduction to key global initiatives in noise policy and learn how to effect change.
• Discover the latest research linking noise exposure to various health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease and birth outcomes.
• Learn about music exposures and cutting-edge research in auditory science.
• Gain practical tools for occupational audiology.
• Hear about the Dangerous Decibels Program, currently in its 25^th year.
• Learn about cultural competence and ethics.

Don’t miss out on this chance to learn from the leading minds in the field and earn CEUs while expanding your professional network.

Registration Pricing

 
Special Offer for Non-Members

If you register for the Fall Virtual Educational Summit via Join and Go, you will also receive a year of NHCA Individual membership at a discounted rate. This is a one-time-only opportunity for non-members.

Register Now

Live Sessions

Click the session titles to read the full session descriptions and learning objectives!

9:00 AM MT - Welcome & Introductions 
Elizabeth Masterson, NHCA President

9:05 AM MT - Keynote Session
From Evidence into Action - How Scientific Research on the Health Effects of Noise Can Influence Policy and Decision-Making
Speaker: Benjamin Fenech

10:10 AM MT 
Drowning in Data: Opportunities and Challenges in Assessing Noise Exposure
Speaker: Benjamin Roberts

10:45 AM MT 
Dangerous Decibels at 25: Where Are We Now?
Speaker: Billy Martin

11:15 AM MT - BREAK

11:35 AM MT 
How Musicians Differ from Their Industrial Colleagues
Speaker: Marshall Chasin

12:10 PM MT 
World Health Organization's Listen Safe Initiative
Speaker: Michael Santucci

12:45 PM MT 
The International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise - An Overview
Speaker: Mathias Basner 

1:20 PM MT 
New Opportunities in Auditory Research: Innovative Approaches to Study Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
Speaker: Sharon Curhan  

On Demand Sessions

Click the session titles to read the full session descriptions and learning objectives!

Understanding Noise Exposure and Hearing Loss in the U.S. Upstream Oil and Gas Extraction Industry
Speaker: Bradley King

Bridging Cultures: Mastering the Art of Cultural Competence
Speaker: Andy Merkley

Aircraft Noise Exposure and Cardiovascular Disease
Speaker: Junette Peters

Practical Tools for the Occupational Audiology
Speaker: Tamara Thompson

Maternal Occupational Exposure to Noise: Prevalence, Maternal Effects, and Infant Outcomes
Speaker: Kristen Van Buren

Continuing Education 

Speaker & Session Information

Mathias Basner, MD, PhD, MScEpi
Organization: University of Pennsylvania
Job Title: Professor of Psychiatry

The International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise - an Overview
ICBEN is the International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise. Its goal is to promote a high level of scientific research concerning all aspects of noise-induced effects on humans (both auditory and non-auditory). ICBEN is an affiliate member of the International Commission for Acoustics (ICA).
This talk will introduce the history, structure, and past accomplishments of ICBEN.

• Learning Objective 1: After this course, participants will be able to describe the structure and goals of the International Commission of Biological Effects of Noise (ICBEN).
• Learning Objective 2: After this course, participants will be able to describe the different International Noise Teams of ICBEN, and what they are focusing on.
• Learning Objective 3: After this course, participants will be able to describe past accomplishments of ICBEN.

Marshall Chasin, AuD
Organization: Musicians' Clinics of Canada
Job Title: Audiologist

How Musicians Differ from Their Industrial Colleagues
High levels of sound (music or noise), if it exceeds the maximum dose, will cause increased cochlear cell death (apoptosis), along with neural degeneration. In this sense, the effects of music exposure are similar to the effects of noise exposure. However, musicians don’t expose themselves to high levels > 40 hours/week.
The talk highlights three areas where the effects differ between musicians and industrial colleagues: audiometric asymmetries, tinnitus association with stress, and environmental changes musicians may make to lessen music exposure.

• Learning Objective 1: After this course, participants will be able to examine audiometric findings and delineate which asymmetries can be explained by music exposure and which would require additional assessment.
• Learning Objective 2: After this course, participants will be able to assess complaints about tinnitus from young musicians who possibly have normal, or near-normal hearing thresholds.
• Learning Objective 3: After this course, participants will be able to counsel the performing artist on environmental changes that can potentially minimize their exposure to higher sound levels.

Sharon Curhan, MD, ScM
Organization: Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School
Job Title: Physician, Epidemiologist

New Opportunities in Auditory Research: Innovative Approaches to Study Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
Hearing loss and tinnitus are complex and multifactorial. The session discusses how using large high-dimensional datasets can help identify modifiable risk factors, elucidate pathogenic changes, and identify prevention strategies for hearing loss and tinnitus.

• Learning Objective 1: After this course, participants will be able to summarize how epidemiologic methods and longitudinal health, diet, and lifestyle information can identify modifiable risk factors for hearing loss and tinnitus.
• Learning Objective 2: After this course, participants will be able to describe how innovative approaches like examining plasma metabolomic profiles reveal biomarkers for hearing loss and tinnitus.
• Learning Objective 3: After this course, participants will be able to describe how integrating diverse omics data provides a holistic understanding of the complex underlying biology.

Benjamin Fenech, PhD MSc BEng(Hons) MIOA
Organization: UK Health Security Agency
Job Title: Noise and Public Health Group Leader

From Evidence into Action - How Scientific Research on the Health Effects of Noise Can Influence Policy and Decision-Making
This session explores the relationship between scientific research on noise health effects and policy/decision-making. It highlights the role of noise research in influencing policy, the challenges of reducing the public health burden, and how presenting data to the right people at the right time can make an impact.

• Learning Objective 1: After this session, participants will be able to summarize how research can feed into policy and decision-making.
• Learning Objective 2: After this session, participants will be able to describe common barriers preventing research from impacting policy.
• Learning Objective 3: After this session, participants will be able to identify steps to improve the impact of their work.

Bradley King, PhD, MPH, CIH
Organization: NIOSH
Job Title: Industrial Hygienist

Understanding Noise Exposure and Hearing Loss in the U.S. Upstream Oil and Gas Extraction Industry
This presentation provides an overview of what is known about noise exposures and the burden of hearing loss in the U.S. oil and gas extraction industry, as well as the potential exposure to ototoxic compounds. The talk also discusses a current NIOSH research study on noise exposure and ototoxicant assessment in this sector.

• Learning Objective 1: Describe the components and activities of the U.S. upstream oil and gas industry and relevant regulatory requirements related to occupational noise exposures.
• Learning Objective 2: Describe the current state of knowledge on the burden of noise and ototoxic chemical exposures in U.S. oil and gas extraction workers.
• Learning Objective 3: Identify the aims and activities of the NIOSH research project "Noise Exposures and Hearing Loss in the Oil and Gas Extraction Sector."

William Martin, PhD
Organization: Dangerous Decibels
Job Title: Co-Director

Dangerous Decibels at 25: Where Are We Now?
Dangerous Decibels is an evidence-based noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus educational program. The presentation will provide an overview of the program’s accomplishments, a summary of effectiveness evaluations in different countries, new developments, and future plans for promoting hearing health globally.

• Learning Objective 1: After this course, participants will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of the Dangerous Decibels educational program regarding knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to dangerous sound exposure and hearing protection strategies.
• Learning Objective 2: After this course, participants will be able to identify countries and regions where the Dangerous Decibels program is being delivered.
• Learning Objective 3: After this course, participants will be able to summarize the current status and future plans of the Dangerous Decibels program globally.

Andy Merkley, AuD, CCC-A, CPS/A
Organization: Defense Health Agency - Hearing Center of Excellence
Job Title: Senior Program Manager

Bridging Cultures: Mastering the Art of Cultural Competence
Cultural competence is the ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures. The session outlines the five key components of cultural competence: awareness, knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behavior. Participants will learn how to improve their intercultural interactions in professional settings.

• Learning Objective 1: List five key components of cultural competence.
• Learning Objective 2: Define cultural competence.
• Learning Objective 3: Identify common cultural biases.

Kristal Riska, AuD, PhD
Organization: Duke University School of Medicine
Job Title/Role: Assistant Professor

Ethical Dilemmas in Audiology
This session will provide an overview of the ASHA code of ethics, adjudication process, and highlight common ethical issues surrounding audiology practice using a scenario-based approach. This session will be applicable to audiologists at any career stage and audiologists in training.

Learning Objectives:

• Learning Objective 1: After this course, participants will be able to describe the Board of Ethics adjudication process.
• Learning Objective 2: After this course, participants will be able to identify 3 common ethical dilemmas in audiology.
• Learning Objective 3: After this course, participants will be able to describe 1 difference between ASHA Board of Ethics and State Licensing requirements.

Benjamin Roberts, MPH, PhD, CIH
Organization: Benchmark Risk Group
Job Title: Supervising Risk Scientist

Drowning in Data: Opportunities and Challenges in Assessing Noise Exposure
This session covers data sources and best practices for managing large noise exposure datasets. It will also explore common statistical tools for analyzing data and how advancements in machine learning and AI are creating new opportunities for understanding noise exposure.

• Learning Objective 1: Learners will be able to identify and explain different sources of noise exposure data and their benefits and drawbacks.
• Learning Objective 2: Learners will improve their data management and organizational skills.
• Learning Objective 3: Learners will gain familiarity with statistical tools for better understanding data.

Michael Santucci, AuD
Organization: Sensaphonics Inc.
Job Title: President

World Health Organization's Listen Safe Initiative
This presentation discusses the World Health Organization's efforts to prevent hearing disorders from loud music.

• Learning Objective 1: Summarize the WHO Make Listening Safe Initiative.
• Learning Objective 2: Identify the Make Listening Safe workstream.
• Learning Objective 3: Describe the activities of the Make Listening Safe workgroup.

Tamara Thompson, MA, CCC-A, COAHC, CD, CPS/A
Organization: Examinetics, Inc.
Job Title: Occupational Audiologist

Practical Tools for Occupational Audiology
This session discusses aspects of audiology review, follow-up, and important information for audiologists interested in occupational audiology.

• Learning Objective 1: After this course, participants will understand regulations regarding hearing conservation programs.
• Learning Objective 2: After this course, participants will understand the role of audiologists in hearing conservation programs.