About ARA

HISTORY

The Audiological Resource Association began in 1975 as a small group of audiologists in private practice meeting to discuss common problems and needs. These meetings were deemed necessary because state and national associations had become so large and broad in scope that they could not reasonably be expected to solve the problems or to meet the needs of the audiologist in private practice.

Realizing that other audiologists in private practice in the same geographic region had similar problems and common needs, a decision was made to formally organize the Association. Other audiologists were invited to an organizational meeting, officers were elected, by-laws adopted, and a charter was granted February 1976 by the State of Tennessee.

Meeting at least twice each year, members have found comradeship through sharing of successes and problems. Program subjects are chosen by the membership and are designed to answer special concerns brought about by individual practice.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Audiological Resource Association is:

1) To enhance professional competency in the following areas:
a. Diagnostics
b. Amplification
c. Habilitation and Rehabilitation
d. Medical Aspects of the Hearing Impaired
e. Conservation of Hearing
f. Professional Relations
g. Education
h. Business Management


2) To promote and foster an interdisciplinary relationship among audiologists and otolaryngologists.

3) To provide as vehicle for representation in matters of professional concern.

FOUNDING MEMBERS

Benjamin W. Dawsey, Au.D.
Garrett Denniston, M.A.
Daniel Schumaier, Ph.D.

PAST PRESIDENTS

Daniel R. Schumaier, Ph.D.   1975-1978
Danny W. Gnewikow, Ph.D.   1979-1980
Edward T. Whitson, M.S.   1981-82
Henry Hecker, Au.D.   1983-84
William Hudson, M.A.   1985-86
Glen W. Johnson, M.A.   1987-88
Ben Dawsey, Au.D.   1989-90
Gordon L. Fletcher, Au.D.   1991-92
Teryl N. Delagrange, Au.D.   1993-94
Cynthia Earle, Au.D.   1995-96
James Carroll, Jr., Au.D.   1997-98
Jackie Niedringhaus, Au.D.   1999-00
Larry Hutto, Au.D.   2001-02
Eric Hecker, Ph.D.   2003-04
Ken Parker, Au.D.   2005-07

AUDIOLOGISTS OF THE YEAR

Faye Churchill     1982
Ben Dawsey     1983986
Henry Hecker     1984
William Hudson     1985
Edward T. Whitson     1986
Robert Zelski     1987
Teryl N. Delagrange     1988
Kate Tuomala     1989
Ken Thomas     1990
Jill Howard     1991
Jackie Niedringhaus     1992
Ben Dawsey     1993
Dan Schumaier     1994
Helena Solodar     1995
Gordon Fletcher     1996
Judy Bible     1997
Janne H. Mack     1998
Cynthia Earle     1999
Mary Anne Larkin     2000
Tami Ike     2001
Danny Gnewikow     2002
Lynn Lehman     2003
Catherine Martine     2004
Jim Carroll     2005
Dan Orchik     2006
Ann Widener     2007
Lynda Klee     2008
Ken Parker, Tony Whitson     2009