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Welcome

Celebrating Over 80 Years Of Service!

The American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA) represents over 2,700 Board-certified otolaryngologists and health care providers. Otolaryngology, frequently referred to as Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT), uniquely combines medical and surgical expertise to care for patients with a variety of conditions affecting the ears, nose, and throat, as well as commonly related conditions. AAOA members devote part of their practice to the diagnosis and treatment of allergic disease. The AAOA actively supports its membership through education, research, and advocacy in the care of allergic patients.

"Advance the comprehensive management of allergy and inflammatory disease in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery through training, education, and advocacy."

AAOA Member Benefits

  • Up to 60% discount for CME programs and free Annual Meeting. All AAOA’s CME programs meet ABOTOHNS Continuing Certification.
  • AAOA US ENT Affinity program, where AAOA members can gain savings on antigen, allergy supplies, and any of the other 5 service lines US ENT offers. For more email info@usentpartners.com.
  • Tools and resources to comply with US General Chapter 797 and practice management tools.
  • Advocacy support.
  • And much more! Learn More

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT CORNER

As part of our on-going member support, we are introducing a new website feature to help with common practice management challenges. We welcome your input with questions or challenges you would like to address. Read More

ADVOCACY UPDATES

Congress Moves Closer to Close the Books on FY 2018 Appropriations

In a span of 4 days, Congress passed legislation to fund the government through March…

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Act Now to Avoid MACRA Penalties

Before the close of 2017, all physicians must take action to avoid the 4 percent…

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CMS Releases Quality Payment Program Proposed Rule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule outlining the requirements…

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Upcoming Dates

08/02/24: Scientific Abstract Submission Deadline
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12/01/24: Research Grant Cycle
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04/01/25: Fellow Exam Application Deadline
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06/01/25: Research Grant Cycle
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EDUCATION

AAOA Annual Meeting

Register for FREE* to attend the 2024 AAOA Annual Meeting in-person, in Las Vegas, or virtually!

*The 2024 AAOA Annual Meeting is FREE to all AAOA members in good standing

RESIDENTS

For information about Resident membership, opportunities, DosedDaily, research grants, and other resources. Learn More

IFAR

Available Now

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IFAR Impact Factor: 2.454

IFAR Featured Content: COVID-19 - Free Access
Endonasal instrumentation and aerosolization risk in the era of COVID‐19: simulation, literature review, and proposed mitigation strategies . Read More

Changes in Managing Practices

Working together with AAOA staff, volunteer leadership and members will enable us to have a positive impact on our members’ practices.

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Live and Online CME

2024 AAOA Annual Meeting - Hybrid
November 8-10, 2024
Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas
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Coming Soon! New Explorers Course — Hybrid
90-days Access Feb 27 – May 27, 2025 
March 27-29, 2025 - Live
The Hythe, Vail, CO
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2025 AAOA Basic Course in Allergy & Immunology - Hybrid
90-days Access June 10 – Sep 15, 2025
July 10-12, 2025 - Live
The Chateaux Deer Valley, Park City, UT
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USP 797 Online Module
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AAOA Educational Stacks
Available Now!

News and Updates

A Pivotal New Publication on the Role of Biologics

A team led by AAOA Education Coordinator Cecelia Damask, DO, FAAOA, and AAOA President (2018-2019)…

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CMS Coding 2021 – AAOA Zoomcast

A brief summary of the CMS Coding 2021 – AAOA Zoomcast Series: Just In Time…

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Re-Engaging Patients During and Post COVID-19 Pandemic – AAOA Zoomcast

A brief summary of the Re-Engaging Patients 2021 - AAOA Zoomcast Series: Just In Time…

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College Allergy Symptoms Treatment Back to Shcool

PRACTICE RESOURCES

AAOA Practice Resource Tool Kit

The American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA) Practice Resource Tool Kit is intended as a guide to help AAOA members integrate allergy into their otolaryngology practice and to continually improve on this integration as new information, regulations, and resources become available.

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PARTNER RESOURCE CENTER

AAOA has launched a Partner Resource Center to bring you partner resources that can assist your practice and patient care.

Visit the New Center>

PATIENT CORNER

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About Us

AAOA SCOPE OF KNOWLEDGE: ALLERGY AND ASTHMA

You can also download The Scope of Knowledge PDF.

I Epidemiology

A. Prevalence

  • i Regional
  • ii Change Over Time

B. Populations at risk

  • i Genetic associations
  • ii Environmental associations

C. Socioeconomic impact of disease

  • i Direct cost
  • ii Indirect costs
  • iii Quality of life

II Science of the Sites of Allergic Inflammation

A. Anatomy, Histology, physiology, pathophysiology of:

  • i Nose and paranasal sinuses
  • ii Pharynx
  • iii Ear/Eustachian Tubes
  • iv Larynx/Trachea
  • v Lungs
  • vi Eye
  • vii Skin
  • viii Gastrointestinal tract

B. Basic physiology, pathophysiology, and principles of:

  • i Mucociliary function
  • ii Smell and taste
  • iii Auditory/vestibular function
  • iv Voice
  • v Respiratory function
  • vi Deglutition
  • vii Ocular protection mechanisms
    • 1 Naso–lacrimal function
    • 2 Conjunctival function
  • viii GI function

III Basic Science

A. Basic components, concepts and applications pertinent to Allergy:

  • i Immunology
    • 1. Function
      • a. General aspects
        • i Recognition
        • ii Surveillance
        • iii Amplification
        • iv Memory
      • b. Triggers of the immune response
        • i Allergens, haptens, epitopes, parasites, macromolecules
      • c. Categories of response
        • i Innate
        • ii Adaptive
    • 2. Components
      • a. Inflammatory cells
        • i Macrophages (APC)
        • ii Lymphoid
          • 1 T–cells
          • 2 B–Cells
          • 3 Null cells
        • iii Granulocytes
          • 1 Mast Cells/basophils
          • 2 Eosinophils
          • 3 Neutrophils
          • 4 Platelets
      • b. Immunoglobulins
        • i G
        • ii A
        • iii M
        • iv D
        • v E
      • c. Inflammatory mediators
        • i Cytokines
        • ii Chemokines
        • iii Vasoactive amines
        • iv Leukotrienes
        • v Prostaglandins
        • vi Complement
  • ii Endocrinology
  • iii Neurology
  • iv Molecular cell biology
  • v Genetics

B. Physiology and pathophysiology

  • i Immunology
    • 1. Cellular communication
      • a. Direct contact
        • i Antigen specific
      • b. Cytokine/Chemokine mediated
        • i Non-antigen specific
    • 2. Inflammatory pathways
      • a. Cellular
        • i Microphage
        • ii Granulocyte
          • 1 Mast Cell/Basophils
          • 2 Eosinophil
      • b Non-cellular
        • i Complement
        • ii Arachadonic Acid cascade
        • iii Other
    • 3. Immune sensitization
      • a Memory
    • 4. Hypersensitivity (Gel and Coombs)
      • a I
      • b II
      • c III
      • d IV
      • e V
      • f VI
  • ii Allergic response (Type I)
    • 1 Allergy sensitization
      • a Antigen processing
      • b T-cell
      • c B-cell
      • d IgE
      • e Mast cell
    • 2 Subsequent exposure—trigger
      • a Mast Cell
        • i Antigen crosslinking
        • ii Degranulation
          • 1 Preformed mediators
          • 2 Newly synthesized mediators
          • 3 Cytokines
      • b Early phase response
      • c Late phase response
        • i Cellular Components
      • d Priming
  • iii Microbiology
    • 1 Parasitology
    • 2 Bacteriology
    • 3 Virology
    • 4 Mycology
  • iv Endocrinology
  • v Neurology
  • vi Molecular cell biology
  • vii Genetics
  • viii Nutrition

IV Diseases, Disorders, and Conditions

A. Differential diagnosis of inflammatory disease:

  • i Nose/paranasal sinus
  • ii Otologic
  • iii Laryngopharyngeal
  • iv Tracheobronchial
  • v Thoracic/Pulmonary
  • vi Gastrointestinal
  • vii Ocular
  • viii Cutaneous

B. Immunologic disorders

  • i. Allergic diseases
    • 1. Allergic Rhinitis
    • 2. Allergic conjunctivitis
    • 3. Otologic disease
      • a. Otitis media
      • b. Meniere’s
      • c. Otitis externa
      • d. Eustachian tube dysfunction
    • 4. Asthma
    • 5 Dermatitis
      • a. Eczema
      • b. Contact
      • c. Urticaria/Angioedema
    • 6. Allergic laryngitis
    • 7. Gastrointestinal
      • a. Eosinophilic esophagitis
  • ii Co-morbid conditions impacted by allergy
    • 1. Rhinosinusitiss
    • 2. Otitis media
    • 3. Eustachian tube dysfunction
    • 4. Disordered sleep
    • 5. Laryngeal/pharyngeal/esophageal disorders
      • a. GERD
    • 6. Asthma
  • iii Immunodeficiency
  • iv Autoimmune diseases

V Diagnostics and Assessment Procedures

A. History

  • i Symptoms
    • 1. Onset, duration, severity
    • 2. Triggers
    • 3. Exacerbating or ameliorating factors
  • ii Exposures
    • 1. Temporal relationships
      • a. Intermittent
      • b. Persistent
    • 2. Identifiable antigen
      • a. Aeroantigens (Inhalants)
      • b. Ingestants
      • c. Contactants
      • d. Injectants
  • iii Co-morbid conditions
    • 1. Rhinosinusitiss
    • 2. Otitis media
    • 3. Eustachian tube dysfunction
    • 4. Disordered sleep
    • 5. Laryngeal/pharyngeal/esophageal disorders
      • a. GERD
    • 6. Asthma
    • 7. Ocular
  • iv Family/childhood history

B. Physical examination

  • i Face
  • ii Ears
  • iii Nose/Paranasal sinues
  • iv Oro/Nasopharynx
  • v Laryngotracheal
  • vi Pulmonary
  • vii Skin

C. Adjunctive testing: Indications, limitations, and normal and pathologic findings:

  • i Ears
    • 1. Audiovestibular testing
  • ii Nose
    • 1. Acoustic rhinometry/rhinomanometry
    • 2. Nasal cytology/biopsy
    • 3. Nasal/paranasal sinus culture
    • 4. Nasal endoscopy
    • 5. Olfactory testing
    • 6. Radiologic testing
  • iii Larynx
    • 1. Laryngoscopy
  • iv Pulmonary
    • 1. Pulmonary function testing
    • 2. Radiologic testing
  • v Sleep
    • 1. Polysomnography

D. Allergy testing:

    • i Antigen selection
      • 1. Antigen characteristics
        • a. Aeroallergen physical characteristics
        • b. Biologic activity/potency
        • c. Antigen cross reactivity
        • d. Antigen extraction/standardization
      • 2. Aeroallergen distribution
        • a. Principles of distribution
        • b. Local and Regional differences
      • ii Aeroallergen tests
        • 1. Expanded specific allergen testing
          • a. In vivo
            • i Principles of in vivo testing
              • 1. Pathophysiology of the skin whealing response
                • a. Immediate response
                • b. Delayed response
              • 2. Factors that affect the skin whealing response
            • ii Specific methodologies
              • 1. Percutaneous (Prick) testing
                • a. Single percutaneous (prick) testing
                • b. Multi percutaneous (prick) testing
              • 2. Intradermal testing
                • a. Single intradermal testing
                • b. Intradermal dilutional testing
              • 3. Blended techniques of in vivo testing
              • 4. Scratch testing (mentioned only for historical purposes)
              • 5. Provocation
          • b. In vitro
            • i Principles of in vitro testing
            • ii Methodologies
    • 2. Principles of the allergen screen
      • iii Ingestants (Food Allergy)
        • 1. History
          • a. Food diary
          • b. Anaphylaxis
        • 2. Testing
      • iv Injectants
      • v Contactants
        • 1. Contact tests (patch)

E. Immunologic Evaluation (including rheumatologic)

      • i Humoral
      • ii Cellular

VI Allergy Treatment

A. Environmental control
B. Pharmacotherapy/pharmacology

      • i Antihistamines
      • ii Decongestants
      • iii Mast cell stabilizers
      • iv Mucolytics
      • v Leukotriene modifiers
      • vi Corticosteroids

C. Dietary control

D. Immunotherapy

    • i. Desensitization
      • 1. Route of delivery
        • a. Subcutaneous
        • b. Mucosal (e.g., sublingual)
      • 2. Mechanism of action/li>
      • 3. Indications/contraindications
      • 4. Antigen dosing
        • a. Starting dose
        • b. Escalation
        • c. Maintenance
        • d Withdrawal
      • 5. Mixing of treatment vial
      • 6. Duration of therapy
      • 7. Outcomes of immunotherapy
    • ii Monoclonal antibody

VII Allergy Emergencies


A. Epidemiology

  • i Risk factors
  • ii Recognition
  • iii Differential diagnosis

B. Management

  • i High-risk population recognition
  • ii Preparation
  • iii Prevention
  • iii Intervention
scope

Register For Live Classes

2017 Advanced Course in Allergy & Immunology
December 6-9 | Vail, CO.
Learn more and Register

2018 Interactive Allergy & Rhinology Course
February 22-24 | Dallas, TX
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2018 Basic Course in Allergy & Immunology
July 5-7 | Hollywood, FL
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2018 AAOA Annual Meeting
September 14-16 | Philadelphia, PA
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* Adapted from Marple, BF, et al. “American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy CME Report: Allergy, Scope of Knowledge.” Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, 136(1): 8-10, 2007 Jan

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