Representing Audiology on Capitol Hill
This year, ESHC was proud to be represented in Washington, DC, by Chris Norwood, Audiologist, who participated in ASHA’S 2025 Capitol Hill Day. Hosted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), this annual advocacy event brings audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) together to meet directly with lawmakers and advocate for policies that expand access to hearing and communication care.
Capitol Hill Day 2025 set new benchmarks for member advocacy, and Dr. Norwood was right in the middle of it.
A Record Setting Advocacy Effort
ASHA’s 2025 Capitol Hill Day was one of the organization’s largest and most impactful federal advocacy efforts to date. Over the course of the event:
- 301 audiologists and SLPs participated
- 262 congressional meetings were held
- 49 states were represented
- 47 meetings were held directly with members of Congress
These numbers reflect the strength, reach, and credibility of ASHA members and the growing recognition of audiology and speech-language pathology at the federal level.
Elevating the Voice of Audiologists
A major highlight of this year’s event was the introduction of a congressional resolution recognizing ASHA’s Centennial and honoring the profession’s impact over the past 100 years. Introduced by Maryland Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, the resolution acknowledges that audiologists and SLPs:
“Make a positive difference in the quality of life for millions of individuals…from infants to older adults.”
It also reinforces ASHA’s long-standing belief that effective communication is a human right, a message that aligns closely with the work we do every day for our patients.
Advocating for Better Hearing Care
We are incredibly proud of Dr. Norwood for representing our practice and the audiology profession on Capitol Hill. By taking the time to advocate alongside colleagues from across the country, Dr. Norwood helped ensure that the voices of both clinicians and patients were heard at the national level. This commitment to advocacy reflects our ESHC’s dedication not only to exceptional care within our walls, but also to advancing access, awareness, and quality hearing healthcare for the communities we serve, today and in the future.
