The British Association of Paediatricians in Audiology (BAPA) was inaugurated in 2007 as an association of paediatricians practising audio-vestibular medicine.
BAPA has its roots in the former British Association of Community Doctors in Audiology (BACDA) an organisation begun in 1985 by a small group of clinicians dedicated to the development of high quality hearing assessments for children. For a small society, BACDA has been remarkably effective for over 20 years.
BAPA has made significant contributions to the education of clinicians in the field of paediatric audiology. During recent years there have been many technical advances and considerable organisational change so that service structure and delivery are radically different from when BACDA began.
BAPA continues to represent all paediatricians with an interest in children’s hearing. BAPA also seeks to be at the forefront of professional development in the field of paediatric audiovestibular medicine. BAPA has an additional role as a special interest group of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).