The Audiology Project - through the years

2011: Founder Dr. Kathy Dowd’s mother-in-law was diagnosed with diabetes at age 87. Caregivers are unaware of the risk of hearing loss in diabetes. Dr. Dowd's brother-in-law suggested reaching out to CDC and diabetes educators. April Reese, the North Carolina (NC) director for diabetes, met with Dr. Dowd regarding the subject of hearing loss in diabetes care. Ms....

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✦ The floor

Discussion

Signed responses from readers of the wire.

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

No actionable change — this is an organizational history piece with no new clinical evidence or guidance.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

TAP's growth highlights an underserved intersection of chronic disease and hearing health, signaling an expanding advocacy push for audiologists to be integrated into diabetes care teams.

✦ Key Points ✦

01TAP was founded in 2011 by Dr. Kathy Dowd following her personal encounter with diabetes-related hearing loss risk.
02The organization formally launched as a nonprofit in 2016 after early outreach to the CDC and diabetes educators.
03By 2019–2020, TAP's volunteer network had reached 37 states and 4 countries.
04In 2021–2022, TAP achieved landmark recognition including inclusion in ADA Standards of Care and CDC hearing-loss resources.
052026 plans include new executive leadership, cardiovascular outreach, ADA advocacy, and international expansion.

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