A huge Texas “Hello!” once again from your Vice President for Research and Development! Your Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) volunteers have been working in various areas to bring high-quality opportunities for education, development, and connection across the state. I’m excited to share with you some glimpses of those projects within the area of Research and Development.

As a new Vice President for Audiology in 2025, I wanted to say “hello” to y’all this summer as well as use this space to showcase a wonderful audiology activity. Those who attended the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) 2025 Convention in San Antonio got to network with colleagues, be updated on best practices, and hear about new research in our fields. Our student members benefit from those activities, but they are especially important research contributors within audiology due to the requirement of completing dissertation or capstone projects at the graduate level. 

Have you been looking for an opportunity to become more involved with the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA)? Serving as a volunteer leader on a TSHA committee or task force is a great way to share your knowledge and passion with your peers, network with other members, and influence the future of the speech-language pathology and audiology professions in Texas.

National Speech-Language-Hearing Month in May was an exciting time for the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) as we celebrated the incredible work of our members across the state. During the TSHA 2025 Convention in San Antonio, our National Speech-Language-Hearing Month Committee had the privilege of chatting with many of our members to learn their why—the passion that drives them in their work as speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

Is school-based speech-language therapy meant to be a forever service? At what point should dismissal be considered, and what happens when parents or educators disagree with this recommendation? This article explores these questions, emphasizing legally sound practices and the importance of reevaluation data in making informed, student-centered decisions.

Teletherapy still gets side-eyed by some—parents, educators, even seasoned clinicians. There's a lingering belief that it just can't match the effectiveness of in-person therapy. But when you peel back the skepticism and look at the strategies, creativity, and connection involved, a different story emerges. Telepractice isn’t just working; it’s thriving. This round table conversation from the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) Telepractice Committee pulled back the curtain to share what’s really happening behind the screen. 

The Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (TSHF) is pleased to recognize our 2025 grant recipients and past recipients of the TSHF Research Awards Program. Although the amount of each award is not large, the award can be sufficient to explore the feasibility of a novel idea, support preliminary research needed to apply for a larger nationally funded research project, or perhaps extend the findings of a currently funded research project. Our research program supports the TSHF mission to improve the lives of people with communication disorders by promoting research relevant to communication disorders and supporting Texas-based researchers across a variety of settings.

As a second-year graduate student in speech-language pathology, I’m learning firsthand that graduate school is about more than just coursework and clinical hours. During my first clinical placement, I cotreated a toddler with a complex medical history whose parents were highly engaged throughout therapy. While I managed data collection and wrote goals, my most significant growth came from developing communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills with both the family and clinical team. Actively seeking and applying feedback from my supervisor further strengthened my intervention strategies and clinical reasoning. These experiences have shown me that graduate school is more than earning a degree; it’s about intentionally shaping your professional path through diverse experiences, professional relationships, and continuous learning.

A rich and purposeful life drew to a close with the passing of Mark Hanna on May 23, 2025, and with his passing, the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) lost a dear friend and passionate advocate. Mark served as our longtime legal and legislative counsel, and in that role, he left a lasting impact on our professions and the people we serve. Those of us who had the good fortune to work closely with Mark will forever be changed by his remarkable life. 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have updated their definition of a qualified speech-language pathologist (SLP) in Chapter 15 of the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual (MBPM) for Medicare Part B (outpatient) billing. As clarified by CMS in direct communication with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the term licensed must be interpreted literally. It does not include provisional, temporary, or limited licenses unless explicitly stated. Therefore, provisional licensees, including clinical fellows (CFs), are not eligible to bill Medicare Part B, as they do not hold a full state license. This also applies to outpatient services delivered in inpatient settings (e.g., hospitals, skilled nursing facilities) and home health.

The American Academy of Audiology (AAA), Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) have issued a formal response to the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) rebutting its recent letter to Congress opposing the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act (S.1996/H.R.2757) and asking for a meeting to discuss the bill.

In 2025, the fields of speech-language pathology (SLP) and audiology stand at a critical juncture. As global societies become increasingly interconnected and diverse, the need for a workforce that reflects and understands this rich tapestry of cultures and languages is not merely a matter of social justice; it is a fundamental pillar of effective, equitable, and ethical care.

Save the date for the TSHA 2026 Convention in Fort Worth!

Cafe TSHA is an initiative of the TSHA Publications Board. Levity Lounge is a walk on the lighter side. Tips for Tx offers clever hacks to up your therapy game. Tech Bytes covers new and noteworthy technology finds. Student Swap provides student-focused ideas and inspiration. Wellness Corner emphasizes self-care for service providers. We encourage you to submit your ideas to publications@txsha.org for consideration for publication in future issues.