November 5-6, 2026
Festival Conference Center Ballroom at James Madison University

Invited Speakers

Dr. Katharine Fernandez, Au.D., Ph.D., CCC-A

Staff Scientist
Laboratory of Hearing Biology and Therapeutics
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
National Institutes of Health

Presentation Topics: Developing Therapeutic Interventions for Hearing Loss: Preclinical Models, Real-World Data, and Clinical Trials

Dr. Gail M. Whitelaw, Ph.D., CCC-A

Clinical Professor of Audiology
The Ohio State University

Presentation Topics: Tinnitus and Hyperacusis

Dr. Robert M. DiSogra, Au.D.

Doctor of Audiology

Presentation Topics: Diabetes and Hearing Loss; Ototoxicity 

The Association of Virginia Audiologists (AVA) will join the Ruth Symposium to offer an extended session on Audiology billing, coding, reimbursement, and practice management. Dr. Kim Cavitt will be the speaker for the AVA session.

Dr. Kim Cavitt, Au.D.

Doctor of Audiology

Presentation Topics: President, Audiology Resources, Inc.

Separate registration is required for the Ruth Symposium and the Association of Virginia Audiologists.