ASHA Announces 2025 Media Champion Award Recipients

(Rockville, MD) The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) announced the recipients of ASHA’s 2025 Media Champion Awards today, which recognize media outlets, ASHA members, and others for outstanding coverage and outreach about communication disorders and the work of audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs).

“At a time when so many changes are occurring, it is very important that we continue to bring attention to the critical work of audiologists and speech-language pathologists and the significant positive difference they make in people’s lives,” said 2025 ASHA President Bernadette Mayfield-Clarke, PhD, CCC-SLP. “That is why we congratulate and are grateful for this year’s Media Champions. Each in their own way has contributed making the needed attention a reality in impactful and helpful ways.”

ASHA’s 2025 Media Champion Award recipients are:

CBS 13 WGME: For its segments, “Maine faces shortage of school speech pathologists” (broadcast May 8, 2024) and “Speech delays surge post-pandemic, but who's left to listen in Maine?” (broadcast February 10, 2025). WGME interviewed ASHA staff and SLPs about the growing need for SLPs in schools.

CNN: For the December 6, 2024, article, “Why we’re addicted to ‘silent reviews’ on TikTok,” by Gina Park, and for two syndicated CNN Health Minute segments broadcast in March 2025—one advising hearing safety while playing video games and the other urging care in protecting one’s voice when cheering from the stands at March Madness college basketball games. CNN interviewed ASHA staff for their guidance on speech and hearing health.

The New York Times: For the article, “There’s No Evidence That Noise-Cancelling Headphones Cause Auditory Processing Disorder,” by Lauren Dragan (published February 27, 2025). Three audiologists were interviewed for the Wirecutter article to provide context and insight into recent viral misgivings about noise-cancellation features on earphones.

EdSurge: For the articles, “‘We’re Everywhere Now’: How a Speech Language Pathologist Has Seen Her Work Evolve,” by Emily Tate Sullivan (published February 24, 2025) and “Researchers Turn to AI to Help Diagnose Children’s Speech Disorders,” by Lauren Coffey (published May 28, 2025). EdSurge spoke to an SLP and ASHA staff for an expansive look into the breadth of care that school-based SLPs provide.

AARP: For the feature article, “Smart Guide to Ear and Hearing Health,” by Sari Harrar (published February 21, 2025). AARP interviewed ASHA staff for a comprehensive guide on maintaining hearing health while aging.

TIME: For the article “How Having a Baby Is Changing Under Trump,” by Alana Semuels (published April 17, 2025). Time consulted ASHA staff for a look into how recent cuts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can lead to infants with hearing loss being undiagnosed.

McKnight’s Home Care: For the article, “Poll details impact of communication disorders on caregivers, care recipients,” by Foster Stubbs (published May 18, 2025). McKnight’s interviewed ASHA staff for more context on ASHA’s recent poll results showing that caregivers can sometimes have damaging communication breakdowns with care recipients.

Parents: For the article, “8 Speech-Therapist Recommended Toys That Helped My Toddler Communicate Better,” by Katrina Cossey (published March 13, 2025). Parents interviewed SLPs and ASHA staff for guidance about how toys can help communication development.

Educational Audiology Association (EAA): For partnering with ASHA for World Hearing Day outreach. EAA joined ASHA in highlighting ASHA’s recent polling showing that many video game players put themselves at risk for hearing loss and providing guidance for hearing safety while playing video games.

Living With Aphasia documentary series: For its in-depth look at aphasia, a language disorder. Living With Aphasia features interviews with patients and professionals, highlighting the work that goes into treating the disorder. It features consultation by SLPs Elizabeth Hoover (PhD, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS, ASHA Fellow); Jerome Kaplan (MA, CCC-SLP); and Swathi Kiran (PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Honors).

Brianna Barone, MA, CCC-SLP: For her appearances on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Described by Clarkson as having an “incredibly cool job,” Barone shared with the host and the audience how, as an SLP, she works with people with communication challenges to help “give them a voice.”

Courtney Baker, AuD, CCC-A: For her interviews in the The New York Times and McGill about auditory processing disorder (APD). Baker spoke to the outlets to address a recent misunderstanding about the relationship between noise-cancelling headphones and APD.

Debra Ryan, MA, CCC-SLP: For her interview with EdSurge about her work as a school-based SLP. Ryan expounded on the breadth and importance of the work of SLPs in schools as well as the evolution and expansion of their responsibilities over the years.

About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 241,000 members, certificate holders, and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology assistants; and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) identify, assess, and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders.

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