The International Hearing Society (IHS) recognizes the current COVID-19 situation and is monitoring for potential impacts on our members and chapter associations. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Since then each day has brought us news that our world is changing quickly. While we are living with a new level of uncertainty, there is also an outpouring of kindness and a renewed sense of community.

IHS is monitoring numerous communications; key content is linked below for your use. Please keep in mind that our current environment is changing very quickly, we will do our best to keep this information updated. Please check sources such as the CDC, local government, the White House, and the WHO often for updates.

Please know that the International Hearing Society is communicating with Congress to ensure that leaders and other negotiators are aware that hearing aid businesses are among the businesses across the country being significantly impacted by COVID-19, in some cases through forced closures. IHS is strongly advocating that hearing aid business owners and their employees are eligible to access financial assistance through the economic relief packages that are currently being debated and any future packages.

IHS Members, please log into The Hub, to post what you are experiencing and to communicate with fellow professionals. More now than ever, we need to come together. Uncertainty can cause worry, but it can also be channeled to invoke unity – something our profession excels at.

Exclusive Product Discounts for IHS Members
IHS has partnered with two suppliers for infection control products and masks. Through this partnership, we can offer our members exclusive discounts on the products your practice needs. Visit these pages for more information:

Are You Prepared to Open Your Office Up? - This page contains TEMPLATES!

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• What is the Coronavirus?
• Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
• FAQ
• Infection Control for Healthcare Workers
• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers

Determining if Your Hearing Aid Clinic is Considered “Essential”

• Providing Care During These Times
• Communicating With Your Clients About Coronavirus
• Update from HHS on Telehealth Remote Communications During the COVID-19
• Article from Hearing Tracker: Hearing Aid Help at Home: Remote Hearing Care and Teleaudiology
• Courtesy of Hearing Tracker: Hearing Aid Remote Care – Brand Comparison

Government Resources for Americans

• SBA Business Loans
    ◦ 6/5/20 President Trump Signs into Law H.R. 7010 Loosening PPP Restrictions
    ◦ Spending and Tracking Your PPP Loan - Exclusive IHS Member Resource – INCLUDES ACCESS TO EXPERTS from the Small Business Association of Michigan
• Dashboard of State and Local COVID-19 Response Information
• Stimulus Packages
    ◦ Informative Webinars provided by Small Business Association of Michigan
• Unemployment

Government Resources for Canadians

Journal of the American Medical Association Network

• Recording: Practical Aspects of Otolaryngologic Clinical Services During the COVID-19 Epidemic

Management Resources

• Business Expenses and Insurance
• What COVID-19 Has Reminded Me About Leadership and Decision Making
• “What Employers Should (and Should Not) Say to Employees to Manage the Challenges of the Coronavirus”

News from the White House

• www.coronavirus.gov
• The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America
• 74 Actions Taken By the White House to Battle Coronavirus

OSHA: Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

• OSHA: Memo on Workplace Testing Requirements and Enforcement during COVID-19
• CAOHC: Position Statement on Workplace Hearing Conservation Testing during COVID-19

World Health Organization

• Q&A on Coronaviruses: What is a coronavirus, and how dangerous is it? How does it spread? Frequently asked questions are answered here.
• Myth-busters: Does hot weather stop the virus? Does a hot bath lower my risks? Common myths about virus transmission are debunked here.
• Situation Reports: Daily updates on the spread of infection, with assessment of regional and global risk.
• Technical Guidance: Patient management, surveillance and case definitions, infection control in health care facilities, and more.

If you have a general inquiry for IHS:

Please email interact@ihsinfo.org. You may also contact staff directly through the phone directory or via email through our staff directory web page.