2026 Population Hearing Health Care Annual Conference
Improving Hearing Health for Indigenous, First Nations, and Rural Communities
February 24-25th, 2026, Scottsdale, Arizona
Supported by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders of the National Institutes of Health Award Number R13DC020098
meet the conference program chair
Matthew Bush, MD
Dr. Matthew Bush is a nationally recognized physician-scientist and board-certified otolaryngologist at the University of Kentucky, where he serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. With dual degrees in medicine and research, Dr. Bush has dedicated his career to advancing hearing health equity, particularly in underserved and rural populations. His interdisciplinary research focuses on disparities in access to hearing health care, hearing loss interventions, and outcomes among rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. Through NIH-funded studies and community-based initiatives, he has been instrumental in developing models to improve hearing health services for vulnerable populations. Dr. Bush will serve as the invited co-chair for the 2026 Population Hearing Health Care Conference, where he looks forward to contributing to this year’s theme: “Improving Hearing Health for Indigenous, First Nations, and Rural Communities.” He brings deep expertise in rural health disparities and a commitment to building inclusive, sustainable hearing care systems.
Abstract Submissions open SEPTEMBER 15, 2025
General Abstract Submission - OPENS 9/15/2025
Submit your abstract for the PopHHC Conference poster session to showcase innovative research and insights in population health and hearing care. Abstract deadline: October 31st, 2025.
Student Abstract Submission and Travel Award - OPENS 9/15/2025
**STUDENT TRAVEL AWARD** applications must include a 500-word abstract and a 500-word personal statement describing your motivation for attending the conference. Abstracts in line with the conference theme are encouraged and will be prioritized. Abstract deadline: October 31st, 2025.
Location and Hotel Details
The Scottsdale Plaza Resort & Villas
Conference will be held at:
The Scottsdale Plaza Resort & Villas
EL Teatro Room Meeting Room
7200 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Room rates are $259/night for a standard room. Rate does not include tax, gratuities, or breakfast. The resort fee of $32 per room/per day is waived for PopHHC attendees.
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