Update From the California Academy of Audiology (CAA) Conference, Sept. 18-20, 2025, in Burlingame, CA

This past September, I had the opportunity to attend the California Academy of Audiology (CAA) Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame, CA.  

Last month (if you’re subscribed to our newsletter, you’ll know), I highlighted some courses I was looking forward to attending: AI & Hearing Aids by David Fabre, Ph.D., Innovations in Speech-in-Noise Assessment by Matthew Fitzgerald, Ph.D., and Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids in 2025 by Douglas Beck, Au.D. 

For anyone curious about hearing technology or what goes on when a hundred or so Audiology and hearing care nerds get together, please read on.

Future Forward AI & Hearing Aid Technology 

I hate to say this, but this talk was a little underwhelming. A lot was discussed about what AI in hearing aids is already doing, but there was not a whole lot on what’s in the future for the AI and hearing aid relationship.  

It was essentially a summary of what I already knew, but I was looking for what is around the corner, especially information on how we’re going to solve hearing aid patient’s #1 complaint: understanding speech in background noise when the background noise you don’t want to hear is also speech (i.e. at a restaurant or party).  

As an update for those who have read my thoughts on AI and hearing aids, I spoke with two different hearing aid manufacturers on the convention floor and both of them said that my idea about how to apply AI into hearing aids is already actively being looked at/worked on.  

If the hearing aid manufacturers can make my idea come to life, it will be a real game changer! 

Innovations in Speech-in-Noise Assessment: The Present and the Future  

This one lived up to my expectations, as it was geared for the Audiology nerds out there (apparently, I am one of them). Dr. Fitzgerald at Stanford is absolutely on to something! 

Now, I didn’t agree with everything he said.   For example, his recommendation for monaural speech-in-noise testing is baffling to me; in the real world, no one would ever go to a party, restaurant, or noisy social gathering and just listen with one ear, unless the patient only has one useable ear.  In the real worldm if the patient is going to listen in noise with both ears at the same time, we need to be measuring/assessing how they hear in noise with both ears at the same time! 

However, on the whole, he is advocating for a changes in the profession that are long overdue, and I wholeheartedly support his new ideas.  

The poorest reason ever given to the question as to why we’re doing what we’re doing is “Because it’s always been done that way.” Unfortunately, there are still areas of this profession where that’s the best answer available. 

Issues, Innovation & Outcomes: OTC Hearing Aids in 2025 

Another talk that met my expectations! Dr. Beck was his normal high-energy self, which is always a joy to listen to.  This was probably my 4th or 5th time hearing him speak on various Audiology related topics.  I’ll absolutely give him props as he has the courage to tell everyone what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. 

Now specifically to this talk, if you’ve read my thoughts on over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids from my website, you would have thought I was the one who created this presentation.   

After more than three years of the OTC hearing aid category, hearing aid adoption rates have not moved at all. That’s because the reason for low hearing aid adoption has never been poor access and/or affordability.  There just continues to be no data to support those claims. 

Now, what the data does say, and it says this rather clearly, is the main reason why very few people are wearing hearing aids because very few people want to wear hearing aids! The negative stigmas associated with hearing aids are just too much to overcome.  

Now, Dr. Beck did disclose that he is now an employee of Nuance Audio, and the company he works for is selling a product to address the stigma associated with hearing aid use.  

For those who are curious, Visalia Hearing Center currently has no plans to start offering the Nuance Audio products. The funny thing is the glasses-and-hearing-aid combo Nuance Audio is selling was already tried in the 1980-90s, and it failed gloriously. Time will tell if this iteration will be successful. 

My Final Thoughts 

Just like last year, my time at the CAA Conference was overall a success!  

I continue to strive to stay up to date on the latest in my industry.  Seeing what’s new and seeing what’s working (and what isn’t) ensures that I can give you and your fellow patients at our clinic the best care possible.