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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

United Healthcare Home Immunotherapy Policy Change

United Healthcare has recently announced a policy change. Effective January 1, 2023, UHC will no longer…

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Medicare 2022 Conversion Factor Update

Thanks to lobbying efforts from the House of Medicine, Congress took action this month. The…

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CY 2022 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule Summary

On July 13, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Medicare Physician…

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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, Fall 2023 -Winter 2024

“But time, keeps flowing like a river….on and on to the sea”  Alan Parsons Project…

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Keith Sale, MD, AAOA President-Elect, Testifies Before the Senate Subcommittee Hearing

Keith Sale, MD, AAOA President-Elect, recently testified before the Senate Subcommittee hearing, Avoiding a Cautionary Tale: Policy…

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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

vials of allergens

How long Will I Be On Allergy Shots?

By Robert Stachler, MD, FAAOA

Allergy shots are given every week in the very beginning.  This is referred to as the escalation phase. The time the doctor is building up the dose.

At some point in the immunotherapy process, the immune system will start to respond and start working to help you fight against the allergen (whatever you are allergic to).  The body will start to feel better and you will have an improvement of your symptoms.  This is called the symptom relieving dose.  You will require fewer allergy medications to keep you from having the swollen face, the watery eyes, and the runny nose. 

As time goes on, there will be a point when the patient has no noticeable response.  This is called the maintenance dose.  The shots will start to be spaced out to every 2 or 3 weeks.

During the process of building up to a maintenance dose, or with maintenance dosing, there may be times where it will take patients longer to build up based on their reaction to the presenting allergen. Missed shots, large local reactions, and systemic reactions can all add time to the immunotherapy process.  This impacts how long it will take to eventually get to a maintenance dose. 

Over all, it will take about 2.5 to 3 years to reach a state where a patient can stop the allergy shots. It takes that long for the body to build up the immune system to recognize the allergens as foreign and make memory cells that will make antibodies against the allergy.  After this time you are “theoretically immune” to the allergen and may never have an allergic reaction to that substance for the rest of your life. 

There are always exceptions to this rule. There are instances where patients have finished immunotherapy and their allergy profile changes over time. Sometimes it is necessary to retest or restart shots later in life (usually after 7-10 years) due to this change.

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