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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 [email protected].
  • 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

Navigating Changes in Payer Policies

January is the ideal time to do a payer policy review. Many payers make changes…

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CMS Releases Updated Guidance for Using G2211: Complex Patient Care Add-on Code

Beginning January 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expanded its billing policy…

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2024 CMS Improper Payment Data Released

Congress Fails to Avert Cut to Medicare Physician Reimbursement As of January 1, 2025, the…

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Upcoming Dates

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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08/08/25: Scientific Abstract Submission Deadline
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EDUCATION

What Happened to the AAOA Advanced Course?

Thanks to your feedback, we have reimagined our Advanced Course in Allergy & Immunology to give you educational programming that encompasses your full scope of practice.  Join us for the new Explorers Course 2025: Surgical & Medical Management of Airway Disease in Otolaryngology. Learn More

Call For Proposals

We are pleased to invite you to participate in the 2025 AAOA Annual Meeting Call for Proposals. Do you have burning content ideas to be presented at the Annual Meeting? The AAOA is seeking proposals to incorporate in the educational sessions for the 2025 Annual Meeting. Learn More

RESIDENTS

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

IFAR

Available Now

aaoaf-ifar

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

Explorers Course 2025:
Surgical & Medical Management of Airway Disease in Otolaryngology — Hybrid
90-days Access Feb 27 – May 30, 2025 
March 27-29, 2025 - Live
The Hythe, Vail, CO
Learn More and Register

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
Learn More and Register

2025 AAOA Annual Meeting - Hybrid, Independent
November 14-16, 2025
The Seabird Resort, Oceanside, CA
(access from San Diego or Santa Anna Airports)


USP 797 Online Module

Learn More and Register

AAOA Educational Stacks
Available Now!

News and Updates

Things to Do in Vail Besides Skiing

Long before Vail Mountain became global renown, or even a name, its vision burned bright…

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AI: Dipping Our Toes into How AI Can and Does Impact? 

Takeaways from the One-on-One with Jack Krouse, featuring Anand Devaiah, MD by Christopher Vickery, MD,…

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CEO Update, January 2025

"Snowfall rouses your inner child to dream and play once more." - Angie Weiland-Crosby Here in…

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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

Keep Your Mouth Shut (At Night)

Christine DeMason, MD FAAOA

Nasal breathing is vital to our health. Humans are supposed to breath out of the nose and not the mouth. This is because our nose has unique properties that our mouth does not have. The nose has structures called the turbinates that help warm and humidify the air which makes the air less dry when it goes into our throat and lungs as well as allows for better gas exchange into our lungs. The nose also has protective mechanisms that get rid of dust and infectious particles in the air we breathe and is the first line of defense against these pathogens. The nose holds the olfaction or smell nerve. This allows us to smell things like smoke when we breathe in.

The mouth does not have these unique properties. It is not uncommon for people who are chronic mouth breathers to have a dry mouth with some having chronic sore throat and voice changes since they are not getting the benefits of nasal breathing. There is some data to suggest that mouth breathing can cause dental issues as well as fatigue and increased blood pressure. Mouth breathing can also worsen obstructive sleep apnea symptoms such as not feeling well rested. While mouth breathing can be seen during the day, in most patients it is worse at night likely due to gravity and increase blood flow to the nose with lying flat.

Mouth breathing can also be the cause of snoring in some patients. This may be the reason that mouth taping has been a trend in social media recently. Taping is one of many treatments of mouth breathing at night. While it may be helpful to some patients, it is not for everyone.

Don’t try mouth taping before discussing with your Otolaryngologist. It is important to make sure that you are able to breathe out of your nose well. If you have allergies or structural issues such as deviated septum or nasal polyps then it might not be possible to breathe out of the nose, and mouth breathing may be the only option until these issues are fixed. Fixing these issues with allergy medications, allergy immunotherapy or surgeries can also help with snoring.

It is also essential to make sure that you don’t have obstructive sleep apnea before taping your mouth at night. This is where there is an obstruction in upper airway (often the palate or the back of the tongue) during sleep that leads to decrease airflow to the lungs. Untreated it can cause weight gain as well as increased risk of strokes, heart attacks and sudden death. Sleep apnea treatments include weight loss, weight loss medications such as the recent FDA approved tirzepatide, continuous positive pressure (CPAP) machine, oral appliances, and surgeries such as the hypoglossal nerve implantation. Taping the mouth is not a treatment for sleep apnea, and talking with your doctor is important to make sure you are not missing other medical disorders like sleep apnea.

There are other ways besides taping that can help keep the mouth closed at night. Nasal cones and nasal strips can help if it is a nasal structural issue. Sleeping on the side as well as chin straps are other options. For patients that the issue is due to habitual mouth breathing, there are some exercises that can help. While it is ideal to breathe out of the nose and not the mouth at night, before jumping in on any social media trends, it is recommended to discuss these options with your Otolaryngologist to make sure you are on the right treatment plan for you.

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