The Australian College of Audiology (ACAud) and the Hearing Aid Audiology Society of Australia (HAASA) – two of Australia’s three professional accrediting bodies for hearing practitioners – are merging to form a stronger organisation for enhanced advocacy, member support and client services.
In what’s being described as a major boost for the future of audiometry nationwide, the organisations announced on 13 March 2024 they would amalgamate to become the Australian College of Audiology incorporating Hearing Aid Audiology Society of Australia.
ACAud incorporating HAASA will be the initial trading name but further name development and branding consultation will occur in coming months.
ACAud CEO Ms Jane Hedger told Hearing Practitioner Australia (HPA) that HAASA’s 130 audiometrist members were being moved into the ACAud database of 875, creating an organisation of 1,005 members.
She said three-quarters of ACAud members were audiometrists and the rest audiologists but in the real world, both professions worked side-by-side, so it made sense to have a professional body representing both.
“It’s about looking at the sector as a whole and how two smaller organisations can be stronger and create more advocacy for members and better services for clients,” Hedger said. “The sector needs to be advocated for and should be raising everyone up with the ultimate aim of clients receiving a better service closer to where they live.
“We all need to prepare for massive change in healthcare and the hearing sector as technology and artificial intelligence shape the future, along with clinical shortages as the population ages.”
She continued: “The whole point of merging is to ensure we can continue to provide clients with safe, accessible and clinically appropriate services. There will be lots of challenges but with our combined membership, we can tackle them together.
“Another driver for coming together was that we can better advocate for both professions, particularly around greater inclusion of audiometrists.”
One voice and positive feedback
HAASA board director, NSW audiometrist Mr Chris Harrison, told HPA that feedback from the society’s members about the merger had been mostly positive.
“We see it as a positive for the industry – one voice for audiometrists means power behind our numbers, and it’s great for the future of audiometry as one voice empowers advocacy,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming and will strengthen the profession, for example when advocating for improved TAFE training, we can advocate for a plan nationwide.”
The merger would also minimise costs of having two bodies and boost continuing professional development as HAASA had led the way with two events annually, he said. The new board would grow the education program, providing more opportunities for members and a richer variety of events.
A joint-statement on both websites said the organisations were excited about the move.
“This union represents a strong and strategic partnership to better serve and protect members, improve educational pathways, grow the workforce, and advocate for all hearing health clinicians,” it stated. “Both organisations have recognised the need for greater infrastructure and resources in the face of a rapidly changing sector.
“With a shared vision for empowering and acknowledging the important role that audiometrists and audiologists play, we embark on this journey together to ensure sustainable growth and robust advocacy for our valued members.”
Boards decided to merge ‘in members’ best interests
Both bodies notified members in emails and the statement which included FAQs. HAASA members were also advised at a continuing education program day on 15 March 2024.
While members were not consulted in the decision-making process, the boards “made the decision in the best interests of ensuring our members could be supported and protected into the future”, with benefits including a broader range of professional development opportunities, enhanced advocacy and a larger, more diverse network of professionals.
“We felt there was no benefit to be obtained in a protracted public discussion,’’ they stated. “Our boards have worked together to conduct this process with optimism for our shared future and the difference we can make for members and Australians living with hearing difficulties.”
HAASA is Australia’s longest established hearing practitioner professional body, formed in 1961, while the college formed in 1996. The statement said HAASA’s rich history would be honoured with its name preserved in the title, reflecting a deep respect for its legacy and contribution to the sector.
Staff growth and similar fees
Capabilities, resources and staff would also grow with Hedger stating there will be no job losses including HAASA’s executive board administration officer Ms Jacqui Peters who will continue to support HAASA members. She said planned staff expansion was due to a 30% rise in membership during her two-year tenure as the college’s first CEO which ends in May 2024. The organisation is seeking a full-time CEO to be chosen by both boards.
Two HAASA board members, Ms Helen King and Mr Tim Manski, will join the united board, replacing two ACAud board members whose terms expire in November 2024. A new board member will replace a third member whose term will also expire. Other HAASA board members will join sub-committees.
Those studying HAASA’s internship program will continue until they finish and a new program will then be developed which may include online exams. Both bodies’ early bird membership fees of $525 will remain the same this year and renewal notices will go out in May with the new entity to begin from July 1 2024.
*The three professional bodies recognised by the Australian Government to certify clinical competency for audiology professionals are ACAud, HAASA and Audiology Australia – the nation’s peak accrediting professional member body for audiologists with more than 3,400 audiologist members. All are not-for-profit organisations, work collaboratively to support and regulate the profession and have jointly established a professional Scope of Practice, Code of Conduct and Ethical Review Framework.
Read the statement including FAQs
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