Academy of Doctors of Audiology

The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) was founded by nine practitioners in 1977, as the Academy of Dispensing Audiologists, to foster and support the professional dispensing of hearing aids by qualified audiologists in rehabilitative practices. Later, in 1988, the ADA developed the concept of the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree and provided much of the energy behind the movement for the transition of audiology to a doctoring healthcare profession. This goal, as well, has been largely met, as the Au.D. is now the minimum degree for audiology practice offered by educational institutions in the United States. In recognition of these important accomplishments, ADA Fellow members voted for an organizational name change to the Academy of Doctors of Audiology in 2006.

Today, ADA offers programming and support to those audiologists and students who are or who desire to be autonomous practitioners in whatever setting they choose to practice. In particular, ADA's mission emphasizes practice ownership. Towards that goal, ADA offers an annual convention each fall, along with ongoing web seminars providing information and resources regarding all aspects of audiologic practice, with particular emphasis on the business of audiology.