ARO Outreach Awards
ARO has established Annual ARO Outreach Awards, for which any current spARO member is eligible to apply. All trainees currently in or within 7 years of schooling are automatically considered spARO members. For more details on spARO membership, please visit the spARO webpage.
This new initiative is to help encourage, support and recognise the outreach activities of our spARO members within their local communities, promoting activities that advance public understanding and appreciation of hearing health and hearing-related research. For example, education on the impact of environmental noise exposure, and how prolonged exposure to loud sounds can lead to noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus.
ARO Outreach Awards Submission Window
Applications will be accepted through December 31st, 2026 and awarded at the 2027 Mid-Winter Meeting.
Details
Eligible Activities
Any talk, presentation or activity that promotes an appreciation of hearing health to members of the general public, and in doing so also promotes careers within auditory science/medicine and ARO.
Resources
ARO is keen to support efforts that educate children about the impact of noise on their hearing, as this has the greatest potential for bringing about a change in behaviour to improve long-term hearing health within society. As such, the Communications Committee have developed a set of slides that can be used in schools to teach children how their hearing works and how loud sounds can damage this process. There are two sets of slides, one tailored for Elementary school students (~8-year olds) and one for Junior High school students (~14-year olds).
Elementary Resources
Jr.High Resources
Evidence of Outreach
Applicants are asked to submit information pertaining to each activity using the online form (below) which captures data related to the activity and audience (e.g. location, age group, class size, etc). These data will be used to select the annual ARO Outreach Award.
Awardees
Up to three winners will be named at the ARO MidWinter meeting, receiving a certificate and free registration to the next ARO MidWinter meeting.