Leadership
As a senior society, AOS plays an important role in guiding education, research, vetting evidence-based treatments, setting standards for quality and providing leadership in the field of otology and neurotology.
AOS serves a leading role in advocacy for patient care, working with payers, government, industry, professional societies and other stakeholders. The American Academy of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery regularly turns to AOS for guidance with Clinical Practice Guideline, Clinical Consensus Statements, Position Statements and others.
Mentoring
AOS is dedicated to developing clinicians and scientists in their pursuit of academic and clinical excellence, not just in recognizing their past achievements, but taking an active role in helping them toward new accomplishments. Meetings provide opportunities for junior attendees to meet with members and form important supportive relationships and collaborations.
There is a celebrated high level of comradery and collaboration within AOS members such that there is motivation for junior clinicians and scientists to develop their careers on a trajectory that they could meet the high standards for membership. Cross-fertilization between members and non-members provides opportunities for junior colleagues to recognize role models or for members to take on mentorship responsibilities. In-person meetings provide unparalleled opportunities for exchanges of ideas that cannot be reproduced in electronic meetings. All these opportunities stimulate members and non-members to pursue excellence in academic or educational activities for altruistic reasons beyond their clinical practices, which benefits advances in the field of otolaryngology and ultimately helps improve patient care.
Signature Initiative
The American Otological Society’s Signature Initiative, launching in 2026, will bring together the most experienced and influential leaders in the Otological community to help deaf and hard of hearing individuals and their families overcome the most significant challenges associated with hearing loss and balance disorders.
This working committee will leverage the experience and resources of AOS members to solve some of the most complicated issues challenging patients, caregivers, medical professionals, and scientists.
AOS/ANS Action Statement Against Systemic Racism
The AOS and ANS stand in solidarity with our colleagues and our communities against racism and injustice. As physicians and educators in the hearing sciences, we advocate for a combination of communication, education, and decisive action so that we may all rise up against racism, bigotry and exclusion.
Please read our Action Statement as it outlines our commitment to embracing diversity and inclusion in our field, and equality in our world.