Membership
Applying for Membership
All applicants for membership must be proposed by two current American Otological Society members. No applications will be accepted without member support.
Learn about applying for AOS membership, view required documentation, and access the online portal at the link below.
Membership Application Overview
Please be sure you have all the documents listed below before you begin the application. Once you begin, please be prepared to complete the application in its entirety, as you cannot save your application and complete it at a later time.
Please attach the following (submit all the documents in Microsoft Word format, with the exception of letters of recommendation that can be submitted as a PDF):
Personal Statement
Two Letters of Recommendation
Two electronic letters of recommendation must be digitally signed on official letterhead, scanned and saved as a PDF, and attached to the application at the time of submission. Current members of the AOS Council may not serve as primary or secondary proposers. Proposers: Please do not send your letter of recommendation the AOS office as it must be attached to the online application.
CV
Please note that you will be required to create a username and password before completing the application.
Please note: regular attendance at the Annual AOS meeting is expected. AOS Bylaws: 7.7.0 Attendance provides: Any Active member who is absent from three consecutive annual meetings without reason satisfactory to the Council shall be dropped from membership in the Society and shall be notified to that effect by the Secretary-Treasurer. Any member so dropped from membership may be reinstated only by three-fourths vote of the council on presentation of valid justification for such reinstatement.
Proposing a Candidate for Fellow Membership
The following qualifications are required for proposal of a Candidate for Fellow Membership in the American Otological Societ. (Revised June 2024)
a. Shall have earned a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.
b. Shall hold primary Otolaryngology certification by the American Board of Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery (ABO-HNS) or an equivalent certifying body acceptable to the Council.
c. Shall have engaged primarily in the practice of at least one of the following disciplines: otology, neurotology, or lateral skull base surgery for eight or more years following the completion of their training. (For MD/DO or equivalent candidates, completion is considered the finish of residency training. (Clinical fellowship training in neurotology or otology counts toward the 8 years of otologic focus.)
d. Shall have demonstrated a degree of knowledge and ability in at least one of the following disciplines: otology, neurotology, or lateral skull base surgery.
e. Shall have carried out their patient care responsibilities with professional competence, intellectual honesty, and high ethical standards.
f. Shall have an outstanding record of generating new and significant knowledge in otology, clinical excellence in otology, service to other otologic organizations and societies, and/or service to the American Otological Society. Accordingly, the Proposer’s letter should evaluate the Candidate’s achievement with respect to:
i. Impact, innovation and quality of contributions
ii. Generating new knowledge of significance to otology
iii. Mentorship and excellence in teaching
iv. Leadership roles and program building
v. Clinical distinction as an otologist
vi. Contributions to the goals of the American Otological Society
g. Shall have the right to vote and to serve on the Council
Two AOS members (Fellow and/or senior Fellow) must propose the Candidate. Each proposer must provide the applicant with a letter of recommendation on official letterhead that will be included with his/her application. The proposer and seconder should carefully adhere to the Guidelines above. This letter will be viewed by eligible voting members via electronic ballot. Current members of the AOS Council may not serve in the capacity of primary or secondary proposers.
If candidacy criteria are met, additional activities representing engagement in a sustained career dedicated to otology will be considered for acceptance as a Fellow. Evidence of unique and directed contribution to otology – especially as reflected by completion of a Triological Society Thesis (TRIO membership not required), or work judged by the Council to be of equivalent quality to a Triological Society Thesis. Consideration is also given to the completion of a series of publications focused on specific areas of interest, and publications resulting from funded research grants.
Please note: regular attendance at the Annual AOS meeting is expected. AOS Bylaws: 7.7.0 Attendance provides: Any Active member who is absent from three consecutive annual meetings without reason satisfactory to the Council shall be dropped from membership in the Society and shall be notified to that effect by the Secretary-Treasurer. Any member so dropped from membership may be reinstated only by three-fourths vote of the council on presentation of valid justification for such reinstatement.
Associate Fellow
i. The Candidate is not an MD/DO or clinical otologist but is considered worthy of membership in the Society because of his/her contributions to otology and related disciplines. Examples of Associate Fellows are those holding PhD, AuD or similar degrees.
ii. Shall be 8 or more years following the completion of their training.
iii. For Associate Fellow candidates, completion is considered the time of acquiring their terminal/highest degree.
Corresponding Fellow
i. The Candidate is a physician or clinical otologist practicing outside the United States or Canada and ineligible for Active Fellow status due to lack of ABO-HNS or equivalent certification. The candidate, however, is considered worthy of membership in the Society because of their contributions to clinical otology.
ii. Shall be 8 or more years following the completion of training.
iii. For Corresponding Fellow candidates, completion is considered the time of completing residency or equivalent clinical training.
Click the link below to see the 2025 American Otological Society Member Roster.
Meetings + Events
Providing industry leadership through educational meetings and webinars that make an impact worldwide.
News + Announcements
Stay informed on the latest breakthroughs, clinical advances, and research news with our newsletter..
Programs + Resources
Guiding education, research, evidence-based treatments, quality standards, and leadership in otology and neurotology.