The Audiology Project

08/24/2026

🔬 RESEARCH FEATURE 🔬

Untreated hearing loss may affect more than communication—it may also be associated with greater health care costs and use.

A 10-year study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery found that, compared with adults without hearing loss, adults with untreated hearing loss had:

💰 46% higher total health care costs—an average difference of $22,434
🏥 47% more inpatient hospital stays
🔄 A 44% greater risk of hospital readmission within 30 days
🚑 More emergency department visits and longer hospital stays

These findings show an association and do not prove that untreated hearing loss directly caused the increased costs or health care use. However, they reinforce the importance of recognizing hearing health as an essential part of whole-person care.

At The Audiology Project, we advocate for increased awareness, early identification, appropriate referrals, and access to hearing care especially for individuals living with diabetes and other chronic health conditions.

Hearing care is health care. 👂💙

📖 Reed, N. S., et al. (2019). Trends in health care costs and utilization associated with untreated hearing loss over 10 years. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 145(1), 27–34.

Read the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30419131/

08/21/2026

🍂 Preparing for Fall Prevention Month starts with looking beyond the fall itself.

Today’s TAP blog highlights the importance of hearing and vestibular care in skilled nursing and long-term care facilities and why audiologists should be part of the fall-prevention team.

With National Falls Prevention Awareness Month approaching this September and Balance Awareness Week, September 13–19, now is the time to take a proactive approach to resident safety.

👂 Hearing and balance are closely connected.
⚖️ Vestibular assessment can help identify underlying causes of dizziness, vertigo, and unsteadiness.
🤝 Audiologists can work alongside physical therapists, physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other professionals to address fall risk from multiple angles.
🏡 Effective fall prevention should support both safety AND independence.

As TAP says in today’s blog: “We truly don’t know what we don’t test.”

Read today’s full blog to learn how audiologists can play a greater role in fall prevention and comprehensive care within skilled nursing facilities. 👇

🔗 Read the full TAP blog

08/21/2026

Prep for Fall Prevention Month: Skilled Nursing and Long-term Care Facilities

Every September, communities and healthcare facilities observe National Falls Prevention Awareness Month . While fall risks affect all older adults, the impact within long-term care communities is especially critical. A key spotlight during this time is Balance Awareness Week (September 13–19) ,

08/18/2026

✨ In Prythian, we protect our hearing. ✨

Welcome to the Courts of Audiology 🦇🌙👂

❤️ A Court of Tinnitus
💚 A Court of Hearing Health
💜 A Court of Hearing Protection
💙 A Court of Little Ears
🧡 A Court of Balance
🔥 A Court of Nightmares: Cerumen Impaction 😱

Whether you’re navigating ringing, protecting your hearing, supporting little ears, or trying to keep your world from spinning, audiologists are here for every chapter. 📖✨

TheAudiologyProject

08/13/2026

📢 Current Events in Audiology: Proposed Medicare Changes for 2027

CMS has released its proposed 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, and several updates could have important implications for audiologists and the patients we serve.

🦻 Audiology reimbursement is projected to decrease by approximately 3% overall
🌀 New CPT codes are proposed for rotational vestibular assessment
👀 New coding changes also recognize video head impulse testing (vHIT)
🏥 Reimbursement changes may influence access to specialized hearing and balance services

These changes are proposed, not final, making advocacy and professional involvement especially important.

At The Audiology Project, we believe hearing and balance care are essential parts of whole-person healthcare. Staying informed about policies that affect access to these services helps us continue advocating for patients and the profession.

Stay informed. Get involved. Advocate for access. 🧡🩵

08/11/2026

📍 TAP at ACDES26 in Ohio! 🎧

The Audiology Project was proud to be represented at ACDES26 this past weekend, where audiologist Dr. Bob DiSogra shared TAP’s mission of raising awareness about the important connections between hearing, balance, and chronic disease.

Opportunities like ACDES26 help us continue spreading the word about the role audiology plays in whole-person healthcare and the importance of collaboration across healthcare disciplines.

A huge thank you to Dr. DiSogra for representing TAP and helping bring our mission to an even wider audience! 💙👂

08/07/2026

TAP was at FLAA! 🌴🎧

This week, TAP President Dr. Jen Sherwood had the opportunity to present at the Florida Academy of Audiology (FLAA) Conference, sharing the mission and impact of The Audiology Project with audiologists, students, and hearing healthcare professionals from across the state.

From advancing hearing health and chronic disease awareness to fostering collaboration and education, TAP continues to connect with professionals who are passionate about improving patient care and expanding access to audiology resources.

A huge thank you to FLAA for welcoming TAP and providing a platform to share our vision. We look forward to building new connections and continuing to advocate for the future of audiology!

08/06/2026

Join The Audiology Project tonight at 7:00 PM ET for our virtual interest meeting! Learn more about TAP, ways to get involved, and how you can help make an impact in audiology and chronic disease care.

Fill out the interest form: https://forms.gle/Ltwdykp2K1iQm5F67

08/04/2026

Our Summer 2026 Newsletter has arrived! ☀️

Catch up on everything happening at The Audiology Project, including recent blog posts, leadership updates, exciting special projects, new resources connecting hearing and chronic disease care, and the latest information on diabetes and hearing health. We also share ways to get involved with TAP and invite you to join our next Interest Meeting as we continue advancing audiology through advocacy, education, and collaboration.

Whether you’ve been with TAP for years or are just discovering our mission, there’s something for everyone in this edition.

📖 Read the full newsletter through the link in our bio.
💙 Thank you for being part of The Audiology Project community!

07/31/2026

☀️ Summer Newsletter Coming Soon! ☀️

Big things are on the way! 🎉 Our Summer Newsletter is almost here, packed with audiology news, educational resources, advocacy updates, student spotlights, and exciting community highlights.

Whether you’re a student, clinician, educator, or hearing health advocate, there’s something for everyone. We can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on!

📬 Stay tuned and keep an eye on our page for the release.

☀️