The Doug Ohlin Founder’s Award is presented to the current MAA member for overall excellence as a notable contributor to the advancement of professional issues related to audiology, hearing conservation, or hearing science. A veteran of both the Navy and Army, Dr. Ohlin was a tireless advocate for prevention of noise-induced hearing loss and an inspiration to those around him. He served for more than 35 years as the centerpiece for the U.S. Army’s hearing conservation effort. He served as the Program Manager for the U.S. Army Hearing Conservation Program Office and, in essence, “created” Army Hearing Conservation. A leader, mentor and educator, his dedication improved the lives of Service Members and civilians across the Department of Defense. He was chair of the Department of Defense Tri-service working group for 13 years and a member of the advisory board to the National Research Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research for Veteran’s Affairs. Throughout his career, his untiring efforts to ensure that Service Members could serve their country without sacrificing their hearing impacted many hundreds of thousands of Service Members. Many of the Department of Defense’s hearing policies and procedures in place today are the result of Dr. Ohlin’s efforts. Even in retirement, Dr. Ohlin remained a staunch advocate of the Service Member and never passed an opportunity to talk with Service Members and military leaders alike about the importance of hearing. His legacy serves to inspire us all to continue promoting good hearing health and improving hearing conservation. Past winners of this award include:
- 1976 Brian Walden
- 1977 Steve Morris
- 1978 Mike Moul
- 1979 Ron Ritter
- 1980 Don Gasaway
- 1981 No Meeting
- 1982 Joe Doherty
- 1983 John Laschewitsch
- 1984 Dean Harmer
- 1985 Gerald Bearce
- 1986 Gus Mueller
- 1987 Donna Macneil
- 1988 No Meeting
- 1989 Bill Monk
- 1990 Roy Danford
- 1991 James Elchmann
- 1992 Jeffrey Davies
- 1993 John Allen
- 1994 Paul Lacroix
- 1995 James Jerome
- 1996 Lynn Henselman
- 1997 Leeann Domanico
- 1998 Ann Prohaska
- 1999 Kathy Hartmann
- 2002 Dick Danielson
- 2004 COL Donald R. Ciliax, USA
- 2006 Tom Hutchison, USN
- 2007
- 2008 LTC Kathy E. Gates, USA
- 2009 Lt Col Carolyn S Bennett, USAF
- 2010 Janet P. Sells, USN
- 2011 COL Vickie L. Tuten, USA
- 2012 LTC Marjorie Grantham, USA
- 2013 COL Donald R. Ciliax, USA
- 2014 Dr Sharon Beamer, DVA
- 2015 COL Vickie L. Tuten, USA
- 2016 Dr. Deborah C. Lake, Au.D.
- 2017 LTC Kristen Casto, USA
- 2018 LTC Martin B. Robinette, USA
- 2019 Dr. Nancy L. Vause, USA (COL, retired)