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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

ADVOCACY UPDATES

Medicare Physician Payment

AMA Advocacy Update The House of Representatives voted 339-85 on March 6 to pass the…

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Medicare Advantage FAQ

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently sent a memo to Medicare Advantage (MA)…

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AMA National Survey to Document Physician Practice Expense Is Still Open

Please take the time to complete the Physician Practice Information Survey! If you or your…

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Upcoming Dates

04/01/24: Fellow Exam Application Deadline
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06/01/24: Research Grant Cycle
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06/25/24: Membership Application Deadline to be eligible for AAOA Member rate for the 2024 Basic Course

08/02/24: Scientific Abstract Submission Deadline
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12/01/24: Research Grant Cycle
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EDUCATION

AAOA Advanced Course

The recorded course content is available until April 30, 2024. This year’s Advanced Course featured Laryngology and Skull Base Surgery with Nausheen Jamal, MD and Garret Choby, MD as featured faculty.

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

2024 AAOA Advanced Course in Allergy & Immunology - Hybrid
On-Demand Content Access Deadline:
April 30, 2024
Learn More and Register

2024 AAOA Basic Course in Allergy & Immunology - Hybrid
July 25-27, 2024
The Diplomat, Hollywood, Florida
Learn More and Register

2024 AAOA Annual Meeting - Hybrid
November 8-10, 2024
Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas
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USP 797 Online Module
Learn More and Register

AAOA Educational Stacks
Next Availability - April 1, 2024

News and Updates

CEO Update, February 2024

Funny how there are so many metaphors for life in some of our day-to-day activities. …

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US ENT Partners Announces Strategic Relationship With AAOA

by Keith E. Matheny, M.D., F.A.R.S. via LinkedIn US ENT Partners, a Group Purchasing Organization…

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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

Seasonal Allergies

Back to School and Allergies

In the late summer of each year millions of students return to college, where the usual challenges of class work and crusty professors are expected, as are camaraderie with peers and the fall football season.  Parents should be aware that allergy problems can flare as the students leave their homes and enter an environment that tends to have far more allergens than does the home environment.

Allergens such as mites and molds are frequently far more prominent in dormitory rooms and fraternity or sorority houses than they are in the home environment, and in the classrooms of older buildings that have poor air filtration and/or mold problems.  In addition, if the student travels more than a few hundred miles from their hometown, they can be exposed to the pollens of different trees and weeds than in their hometown.  So, when one couples the increased quantity and variety of allergens in a college environment with the healthy and reactive immune systems of most college students, one has an ideal recipe for allergy problems.

Such can impair quality of life and the student’s ability to concentrate, and also increase the likelihood of certain illnesses, particularly sinusitis, sore throats, otitis media and bronchitis.  In its mildest forms, allergy sufferers experience nasal congestion, a drippy and itchy nose and a feeling of fatigue.  With a higher degree of symptoms, headaches, nonproductive cough, a facial pain and pressure sensation, difficulty clearing the ears or “ear popping” and even asthma can result.  If a student so afflicted also develops a viral upper respiratory infection, a “cold”, the chances of that viral infection evolving into a bacterial infection is increased.

Fall is a particularly bad season for pollens, as one of the most powerful allergens, ragweed, blooms during that period.  The timing of the ragweed pollination varies depending on the north/south location in the country, with an August occurrence in the northern portions of the United States, but not until late September in the deep south.  Not only does ragweed bloom in the Fall, but so do most other weeds.  For the estimated 20-25% of Americans who suffer from allergies, some degree of relief can be obtained with across-the-counter medications such as decongestants or antihistamines.

Prescription products differ from the across-the-counter medications in that the prescription antihistamines are less sedating, and topical steroid sprays, without systemic side effects, are also available.  Just simple measures to decrease one’s exposure to allergens is effective for many, and such also adds to any relief achieved with medications.  For instance, the most active period of pollen release is in the mid-morning and the early evening; such is increased on dry, windy days, and is less on cool or rainy days.  A student with pollen sensitivities would be wise to minimize vigorous outdoor activities during the times of maximum pollen release.  In addition, the mattresses and pillowcases in most dorms harbor mites and molds.  Inexpensive mite-proof pillow and mattress covers are readily available in most department stores, and are very effective in reducing nocturnal exposures to mites and molds.  Room air cleaners are another option.  For carpeted rooms, anti-mite powders can be applied a couple of times a year.

The following is a sampling of weeds that can cause problems for students in the falls, and of trees that pollinate in the Spring.

  • NORTHWEST COASTAL – Lamb’s-quarter, Ragweed, Russian Thistle, Sage, Birch, Elm, Pine, Poplar, and Willow
  • CENTRAL PLAINS – Kochia, Pigweed, Plantain, Ragwee, Russian Thistle, Sorrel, Box Elder, Elm, Maple, Oak, and Poplar
  • ROCKY MOUNTAIN – Lamb’s-quarter, Pigweed, Ragweed, Sage, Russian Thistle, Birch, Elm, Juniper, Oak, and Willow
  • ARID SOUTHWESTERN – Lamb’s-quarter, Ragweed, Sage, Scale, Elm, Oak, and Poplar
  • SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL PLAINS – Pigweed, Plantain, Ragweed, Sorrel, Box Elder, Elm, Maple, Oak, annd Poplar

If the student has symptoms that are interfering with their ability to study or enjoy the social activities of the college environment, and if the simple environmental measures described above do not suffice, they should then try the across-the-counter medications.  If those likewise fail to fully relieve their problems, they should go to Student Health Service, and when back home a visit to the local otolaryngologist (an ear, nose and throat specialist) might be in order for a discussion of the various treatment options for allergies.  If the student develops a “cold” which begins worsening in intensity after 5 days (at which time most viral infections are beginning to wane), lasts beyond 10 days or causes particularly severe symptoms of ear pain, facial pain, nasal discharge or productive cough, a prompt visit to a physician is warranted.  In such a case, once the infection has been appropriately addressed with antibiotics and whatever else is necessary, the student should be counseled on an appropriate regimen for their allergies.

 

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