PRESIDENT'S REPORT

​Dear Members:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and confidence in electing me as President at our virtual AGM in May 2021. I would also like to thank Maggie Arzani for her dedication and commitment as President over the past three terms. Also, congratulations to the newly elected Board of Directors, whom I will rely on for support and expertise.  You have my assurance that the strong AHIP tradition of protecting the rights and interests of our profession will continue.

The first Board meeting of the term took place on June 15, 2021, when new Chair and Committees members were appointed. I outlined my goals for the 2021 -2022 term, which includes education, public and government relations.

During this challenging pandemic, we have done our best to assist the AHIP membership. This included communicating with all Ontario Public Health Units regarding vaccinations, providing regular membership mailings on the status of COVID-19, and outlining policies regarding back to work protocol, infection control, and telepractice.    

Our first virtual Symposium was an amazing success and provided the opportunity for you to achieve relevant, high-quality continuing education. Thank you, Maggie, and all those who made it possible. As reported, our next Symposium is scheduled for May 4-5, 2021, at the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls. We are currently examining the possibility of combining both in-person and virtual aspects going forward. 

I am looking forward to a very positive and productive term.
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 Stay Safe and Have a Great Summer!

Lisa Simmonds H.I.S.
AHIP President ​

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

​Happy summer AHIP members!

The sun is shining, the weather is good, and we are finally getting to the light at the end of the COVID tunnel! We start off the summer issue with a great feel-good story that every member of AHIP can be proud of. Fellow AHIP member and Hearing Instrument Specialist Susan Akbari visited Afghanistan to fit hearing aids donated by AHIP members. The pictures should put a smile on everyone’s face!

John Niekraszewicz checks in with his financial advice; however, this time, he shifts his view to environmental sustainability. Joy Victory from Healthy Hearing contributes an article on monaural sudden hearing loss. Next, we have the results of an American survey done by Deloitte that discusses the key trends in the future of health care. Also, learn more about tinnitus spikes and what they are in an article by Glenn Schweitzer. Finally, we look further into what’s next for the hard of hearing in a post-pandemic world with Shari Eberts.
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I hope you enjoy these articles, and I’m very much looking forward to serving you as Vice President for the next two years!

Chris Arnold 
Editor-in-Chief

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

​Dear Members:

Congratulations to Lisa Simmonds elected AHIP President, Vice-President (Chris Arnold); Secretary (Kuldip Grewal); Treasurer (Selina Mauro); and to the Board of Directors: Pam Ashton, Angie Chianelli, Adam Perrie, Danielle Rizk, and Demetra Tsimicalis-Valente.

I would like to extend a special thank you and sincere appreciation to Vivienne Saba-Gesa, who chose not to run this term, for her many years on the Board serving the profession with integrity and vision.

Each term brings new challenges for your Board of Directors and sometimes a continuation of a project or items which began the term or several terms before. One of the current President’s goals for this term is to examine a long-term strategic plan for the profession. I think this is amazing as I strongly believe that if there is no self-directed plan, the future/destiny of the profession will be determined for you, not by you. There must be a “really good” Winston Churchill quote somewhere that may better express what I am trying to relay.   

Anyway, on behalf of the AHIP office, we continue to do our very best now and throughout the pandemic to professionally serve you via Board directives while keeping our families and community safe. We look forward to the day we can all meet again in person.

Have a Safe and Happy summer!

Respectfully Submitted,

Joanne Sproule
Executive Director