The 2016 AudiologyNOW! conference is in Phoenix, Arizona, and more than 6,000 hearing healthcare professionals are here or on their way to the capital of the Grand Canyon State. The 28th annual conference of the American Academy of Audiology starts today (Wednesday 13th April) and runs until Saturday 16, 2016. Four days of education, technology, networking and a little bit of fun!

Each year, the conference evolves and something new is offered. This year the ‘new thing’ is the Industry Symposia, which takes place on the first day. Three companies will hold separate, three-hour sessions developed by industry that give a deeper look into the latest products, services, and technology developments in the field. Care Credit will host a session entitled “Aligning Pricing and Services with the Patient Path to Purchase,” Resound’s session is entitled “Bringing Smart Hearing Aids to Your Practice and Patients,” and Starkey’s session will look at “Uncovering New Realities in Hearing and Hearing Science.”

Popular events like the speciality conferences return once again on the opening day. The Academy Research Council (ARC) conference looks at CAPD evaluation and treatment, whilst the Student Academy of Audiology event runs in parallel with ARC.

The first day of AudiologyNOW! will also open with seven Learning Labs, as well as learning modules and featured sessions starting at 1:00 pm and these run until Saturday. The day ends with the opening of the exhibit hall to host Celebrate Audiology, the opening-night party. Attendees will enjoy live theatrics and roving entertainment, as they meet with colleagues and industry representatives. The exhibit hall will feature approximately 170 exhibitors, highlighting their latest research and technology, new products, and services in hearing health care, as well as quick solutions and industry updates educational sessions.

And then the conference officially opens on Thursday morning with the ‘General Assembly’ and a keynote address from Orna Drawas.

“The Program Committee has worked over the last year to make this convention one of the best to date,” said Joscelyn Martin, AuD, Program Committee chair for AudiologyNOW! 2016. “With a backdrop like sunny Phoenix, AudiologyNOW! will inspire you to create a bright future—for your individual practice and for our profession as a whole.”

Flip through our AudiologyNOW! special issue and follow us on Twitter @AudioWorldnews.