Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Audiological Accommodations For Special Populations: A Capstone Case Series, Hannah Belke, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Introduction: Deaf-blindness is a term that refers to people with dual sensory impairments who, typically, have some residual hearing and usable vision. Individualized attention should be employed when working with these patients to ensure effective intervention. Case Presentation: A young female presented to the clinic with cortical blindness and essentially unilateral (right-sided) sensorineural hearing loss. Discussion: For special populations, such as those with deaf-blindness, audiologists need to be aware of testing and environmental considerations due to challenges presented by comorbidities. Senses, such as touch, may be used when testing these patients. The use of paper material, placement of furniture, and …

The Racial Diversity Lag In Audiology: Improvement Of Recruitment And Retention Of Black Doctor Of Audiology Students, Jacquelyn Jouett, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

The racial composition of the Audiology workforce is, by no means, a reflection of the US population. Black and African American audiologists are disproportionately represented in the United States. Diverse audiologists are significantly underrepresented in clinical and academic fields. Inversely, students in the racial majority are overrepresented in Audiology and most medical specialties for that matter. This disparity may limit access to hearing-healthcare for some populations in the country. Several factors that contribute to this condition must be more fully understood before this issue can be corrected. Recruitment and retention must be improved to increase diversity, particularly students of color, …

A Young Female With Chronic Debilitating Tinnitus And A Middle-Aged Male With Life-Long Noise Exposure And Bothersome Tinnitus, Lindsey Petras, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Introduction: Tinnitus is characterized by a sporadic or constant ringing, chirping, buzzing, or related characteristics that are perceived auditorily and can range in intensity. Case Presentation: A young adult female with normal hearing sensitivity presented to the clinic with constant unilateral pulsatile tinnitus in the right ear that was intensified with physical activity and caffeine. It was reported as sudden in onset and classified as severely debilitating. After extensive audiologic testing, personalized counseling, and a thorough medical evaluation, the patient received an open-fit monaural hearing aid to promote safe sound therapy and tinnitus habituation. Discussion: Thorough audiologic and medical evaluation, …

Vestibular Case Studies: A Case Of Cva And Vestibular Paroxysmia, Jennifer Banovic B.S., Nicholas Stanley Ph.D. Au.D.

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Case 1:

Introduction: One of the leading causes of centrally based vestibular impairment is a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Patients typically present with limb or facial weakness, dizziness and imbalance, impaired vision, and speech or language dysfunction, however, these symptoms can vary depending on the site of lesion. Case presentation: An 85-year-old female presented with dizziness, bilateral tinnitus, aural fullness, and aphasia, occurring after she suffered a CVA. Three months after the CVA, she was seen by a balance clinic for a videonystagmography (VNG) and audiologic evaluation. Discussion: CVAs can alter the blood supply to the inner ear and its nerve …

Pathogenesis And Onset Of Tinnitus And Use Of Holistic And Traditional Audiological Approaches For Management, Christy Mahrt, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Introduction: Tinnitus is the subjective sensation of noise perceived at the peripheral or central level. Occasionally, tinnitus perception may be severe enough to present debilitating effects on daily activities. The occurrence of tinnitus can be related to occupational or non-occupational hazardous noise exposure. Case Presentation: A 60-year-old male presented with bilateral tinnitus with an initial onset at age 21. The progression of his tinnitus has caused disruptions in sleeping patterns and concentration. His history included extensive occupational and non-occupational noise exposure. Discussion: Hearing conservation is an important aspect of facilitating tinnitus management for individuals who have noise-related tinnitus. Hearing aids, …

Improving Hearing Screenings With Tele-Otology, Ryan J. Miller, Joshua George-Lopez, Robert S. Hong Md, Phd

Medical Student Research Symposium

Introduction: The Lions Hearing Center of Michigan (LHC-MI) is an assistance program in Detroit that provides hearing aids to individuals in need. LHC-MI has provided thousands of hearing aids, but such efforts have been costly, requiring patients to make multiple appointments at multiple locations. To streamline this process, the LHC-MI is piloting a new program, titled “Hear Now! Detroit!”, that uses telemedicine to reach patients at community sites.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of a hearing screening program that uses telemedicine to reduce the number of visits required to acquire hearing aids.

Methods: Teams of community volunteers were deployed to …

Inner Ear Disorders Associated With Hearing And Vestibular Loss: A Case Series, Kelly Retzlaff

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Introduction: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), a hearing loss of at least 30 dB at three or more consecutive frequencies within a 72-hour period, is typically idiopathic. Potential causes are thought to include viral, autoimmune, vascular, neurologic, neoplastic, or traumatic origins. Treatment consists of steroids. Poor patient follow up and compliance with rehabilitation negatively affect outcomes. Poor follow-up also results in the inadequate medical documentation of outcomes. Case Presentation: a 20-year old female presented with unilateral SSNHL with high-frequency tinnitus in the right ear. Her audiological history includes a known profound hearing loss in the left ear, as well as, …

Hear Me Out: An Evaluation Of The Services Provided To Parents Prior To A Diagnosis Of Hearing Loss, Amber Wagster

McNair Scholars Research

This study seeks to identify and evaluate the services provided to parents of children who did not pass their newborn hearing screening. This study will determine what educational services were offered and if they effectively-prepared parents for navigating the process of their child's potential hearing loss diagnosis. A questionnaire was distributed to parents through the offices of audiologists and through Hands & Voices, a parental advocacy organization.

A Method Paper For Earplug-Fitting Augmentative Procedures Tested In Groups Of More Experienced And Less Experienced Users Of Hearing Protection, Natalie Dixon, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Although a long history of research has led to extensive knowledge about hearing protection devices (HPDs), there has been limited research about procedures that provide aid and verification during HPD insertion, although several studies have reported about HPD training. No standard methods have been established for training of earplug use (Takahashi, 2011).

A review of the literature revealed a need for tools that might be used to improve user ability to properly insert HPDs consistently, even in the absence of training, because training is rarely provided in the workplace. The prevailing research question was "Does the use of simple fitting …

Counseling For Patients With Hyperacusis, Mary Maraist

Communication Sciences and Disorders: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Hyperacusis is the phenomenon of experiencing moderately loud sounds as overly loud and/or intensely annoying. Hyperacusis can also cause fear or pain in response to sound. There is no one known cause of hyperacusis, and because of the variety of ways it presents itself, the approximate prevalence is difficult to determine. Despite the ambiguity of hyperacusis, the audiologist is an important part of diagnosing and educating clients with hyperacusis. During this project we aimed to discover the challenges individuals with hyperacusis face. These include anxiety, depression and avoidance behavior, and sometimes co-occurring tinnitus and hearing loss. Another aim was to …

Hear Me Out: Communication And Peer Support For Adults With Hearing Loss, Emma Furness

Senior Honors Projects

Progressive hearing loss is a natural part of aging. It can take adults an average of seven years between the time they perceive they have a hearing loss and they see an audiologist for testing, diagnosis, and treatment. Dealing with hearing loss can be extremely stressful and confusing for both the patient and the family. After receiving the diagnosis of hearing loss, the patient’s next step is to discuss all options with theaudiologist including hearing aids and assistive listening devices. Being fit with hearing aids is a great start, but patients can benefit from further education and support not always …

The Importance Of Interprofessional Education To Develop Successful Interprofessional Collaborative Teams In Healthcare, Christina Sebastiao

Senior Honors Projects

Many individuals live with chronic illnesses, various disabilities, and other complex needs that require an array of medical services from multiple disciplines within the healthcare field. To address the medical, behavioral and social needs of these patients, there has been an emphasis on providing treatment through interprofessional collaborative teams and interprofessional practice (IPP). These teams consist of multiple health professionals from various disciplines.

To ensure IPP teams are efficient and effective in the workplace, the application of interprofessional education (IPE) is key. The goal of IPE is to increase competency in interdisciplinary collaborative skills in students and future practitioners. In …

Value Of Otoacoustic Emissions Testing In Pre-School Hearing Screenings: A Literature Review, Paige Stabrawa, Scott E. Seeman Phd

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Unidentified hearing loss in children can have a potential effect on their speech and language, educational, cognitive, and social development. The goal of early detection is to minimize the effects of hearing loss through the appropriate referral for diagnosis and treatment. Hearing screenings throughout the preschool and school-age years are vital for the detection of a late-onset, late identified, or acquired hearing loss. Three influential organizations known as The American Academy of Audiology (AAA), The American Speech- Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and The National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM), have considered behavioral pure tone screening as the “gold standard”for …

Assistive Devices For Communication Use With The Elderly, Corrine Koepsell, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Hearing loss is one of the prevalent medical conditions in older adults. Although it has been documented that hearing loss is associated with various aspects of social and physical health, hearing assistive technologies and audiologic rehabilitation have been infrequently tapped clinical solutions. Cost and user problems in background noise are two common reasons why hearing aids are underutilized by seniors, and by younger age groups as well. Alternative tools, such as assistive listening devices, may be helpful for older listeners, even though they are used less frequently than hearing aids. To identify if assistive listening devices are satisfactory, a pilot …

Teaching Counseling Skills In Audiology Graduate Programs: Clinical Supervisors’ Perceptions And Practices, Karen F. Muñoz, Trenton J. Landon, Kim Corbin-Lewis

Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education Faculty Publications

Background: Counseling is a critical component within audiological service delivery. Partnering with patients to support them in learning to effectively cope with their hearing challenges is a key component in achieving desired outcomes. Even though there is agreement on the foundational role counseling plays in audiology service delivery, counseling instruction varies among audiology training programs.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the perspectives and practices of supervisors in audiology graduate training programs related to mentoring students in the acquisition of counseling skills.

Research Design: A cross-sectional design was used; participants completed a self-report survey.

Study Sample: The …

Development Of An Audiologic Rehabilitation Program Model For Adult Patients Receiving Care At A Graduate Training Facility, Amanda Mcfadden, Antony Joseph

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Research has shown that untreated hearing loss can negatively impact a person’s quality of life. The average person with hearing loss waits seven years from the onset of symptoms to pursue hearing aids (Hall, 2014). To decrease the negative effects of hearing loss, hearing technology, by itself, is typically not enough support for even the best users (Kelly et al., 2013). To provide supplementary support for these patients, audiologic rehabilitation (AR) is required. Audiologic rehabilitation is the modern term used to classify treatments that were previously so- called “aural rehabilitation.” Per Boothroyd (2007), aural [audiologic] rehabilitation may be defined as, …

Counseling In Audiology: Aud Students’ Perspectives And Experiences, John J. Whicker, Karen F. Muñoz, Jared C. Schultz

Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education Faculty Publications

Counseling in audiology is an important aspect of service delivery. How audiologists interact with patients and foster counseling relationships to help patients and families understand and live with hearing loss can impact outcomes of audiological interventions. Currently, variability exists in how graduate training programs are teaching counseling skills, and the extent to which counseling skills development is supported in clinical experiences is unclear. This article seeks to explore the perspectives related to the importance of counseling and counseling training experiences received through clinical instruction of Au.D. students beginning their final year of study, to identify where counseling training might be …

Counseling Skill Development In Audiology: Clinical Supervision Considerations, Karen F. Muñoz

Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education Faculty Publications

Audiologists play a critical role in supporting patients as they provide diagnostic information about their hearing and in the delivery of treatment services. Graduate training related to counseling, however, varies among programs in the extent students are prepared to engage effectively and intentionally with patients. Instruction is needed to provide students with a framework that supports their ability to learn and implement evidence-based counseling services. This article addresses the impact patients can experience when counseling gaps exist, shares clinical instruction strategies that can support students' acquisition of counseling skills, and discusses considerations for integration of counseling education into graduate training …

Young Adults With Cleft Lip And Palate: Are They Receiving Team Services?, Sarah Widy, Andrea Bisceglia, Emily Bradley, Sanjana Kumari Vyda Srinivasa Kumar, Andrea Mcdowell, Amanda Murr, Blake Nowicki, Elisha Reed, Alexandria Staples, Brenda Louw

ETSU Faculty Works

It is widely acknowledged that a team approach is preferred practice and contributes to optimizing the surgical, dental, speech and psychosocial outcomes for individuals with CLP. Young adulthood often marks the transition from child-centered interdisciplinary care to adult-centered care. There is a paucity in literature relating to the transition of care for young adults with CLP. The purpose of this survey research is therefore to explore the CLP team practices regarding young adults with CLP.

Implementing Psychological Methods In The Management Of Trauma-Associated Tinnitus, Marc A. Fagelson

ETSU Faculty Works

Dr. Fagelson, (Professor Audiology, ETSU) will discuss the unusual challenges facing patients and providers when tinnitus severity is linked to traumatic exposure. Interactions between neural mechanisms associated with tinnitus, posttraumatic stress-disorder (PTSD), and traumatic memory will be reviewed with particular attention to the way and degree to which such interactions affect tinnitus and disorders of sound tolerance. Conference attendees will be provided theoretical models of emotional memory consolidation that underscore trauma‘s durable effects on a patient‘s emotional state, reaction to the tinnitus signal, and to potentially-triggering environmental sounds. The putative benefits of tinnitus counseling will be presented in the context …

Using Quicksin Speech Material To Measure Acceptable Noise Level For Adults With Hearing Loss, Lauren E. Bentley, Hua Ou

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

It is clinically useful to predict potential for hearing aid use success prior to the initial fitting of hearing aids. This information may be used to help with additional counseling for speech understanding in noisy listening environments and can also be used to describe the use of communication skills in combination with the dynamic functionality of hearing aids to guide patients that are hearing aid candidates towards success. The Quick Speech-In-Noise (QuickSIN) test and the Acceptable Noise Level (ANL) test have been recognized for their ability to predict hearing aid use success; however, the two measures use different stimuli and …

Thieme Ecommunicationscience, Melanie A. Allen

UT Libraries Faculty: Peer-Reviewed Publications

Thieme eCommunicationScience (eComSci), which launched in January 2017, is a new resource for students and faculty in audiology, speech language pathology, and communication sciences programs. eComSci includes a collection of Thieme e-books, images, videos, audio clips, and clinical cases. This review explores the main features of eComSci, along with the navigation and searching features of this new Thieme resource.

Island Voices: Experiences Of Living With Cleft Lip And Or Palate., Rachna Gopal, Brenda Louw

ETSU Faculty Works

To date there is a lack of information on how young adults in Mauritius, a representation of the majority contexts, experience living with CLP. The aim of this study is to give a voice to young Mauritian adults with CLP; in describing their treatment journey and satisfaction with cleft care.

Adults With Cleft Lip And Palate And Hearing Loss, Rachna Gopal, Brenda Louw

ETSU Faculty Works

Framework and Research Question:

• The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) developed by the World Health Organization (WHO 2001) is a framework to address functioning and disability related to a health condition within the context of the individual’s activities and participation in everyday life.
• Therefore, in addition to the audiologic test battery the individual’s perception of hearing status and its impact on communication should be considered.
• The aim of this study is to describe the hearing status of Mauritian adultslivingwith CL/P and their perceptions of the role of hearing in their lives

Developing A Revised Performance-Perceptual Test Using Quick Speech-In-Noise Test Material, Matthew Wetmore, Hua Ou

AuD Capstone Projects - Communication Sciences and Disorders

Objective: Two audiometric speech measures have been recognized to be useful to predict hearing aid use success: the Quick Speech-in-Noise (QuickSIN) test and the Performance-Perceptual Test (PPT). The PPT involves using the same speech test material (Hearing In Noise Test; HINT) twice, to evaluate patients’ objective and subjective speech recognition performance in noise and the discrepancy between the two measures (Performance-Perceptual Discrepancy; PPDIS). Utilizing the QuickSIN with the PPT (Revised-PPT) may provide a clinician with two important pieces of information from one test to help predict hearing aid use success and the need for counseling. This study aimed 1) …

The Clinical Relevance Of Smartphone Applications In Medicine And Audiology, Elizabeth Fetscher

Communication Sciences and Disorders: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

A History Of The Audiology Program At The University Of Nebraska-Lincoln: 1920 To 2015, T. Newell Decker

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Programs for the hearing impaired have been in existence at the University of Nebraska for many years. However, there is no comprehensive history of these efforts. This work is an attempt to provide a complete picture of these programs and to detail the history and growth of the Audiology Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. When the author came to the University in 1977 audiology was already well established at the University as well as in the State. After joining the faculty, the author served in the capacity of Coordinator of the Audiology and Hearing Science Program from 1977 until …

A Case Study Of Cochlear Implants And Complications, Carly E. Amurao

Senior Honors Projects

A cochlear implant is an electronic medical device that replaces the function of the damaged inner ear, allowing the individual access to sound. In recent years, there has been tremendous progress in developing technology in the area of cochlear implants to aid those with severe/profound hearing loss. Specifically, there has been a movement towards bilateral implantation. Each cochlear implant candidate has a unique hearing loss, and must reach required bench marks in order to be considered a viable candidate for a cochlear implant. This process includes: meeting the required level of hearing loss, a required trial with hearing aids that …

Musical Training Influences Auditory Temporal Processing, Saravanan Elangovan, Nicole Payne, Jacek Smurzynski, Marc A. Fagelson

ETSU Faculty Works

Background: A link between musical expertise and auditory temporal processing abilities was examined.

Material and methods: Trained musicians (n=13) and non-musicians (n=12) were tested on speech tasks (phonetic identification, speech recognition in noise) and non-speech tasks (temporal gap detection).

Results: Results indicated musicians had shorter between-channel gap detection thresholds and sharper phonetic identification functions, suggesting that perceptual reorganization following musical training assists basic temporal auditory processes.

Conclusions: In general, our results provide a conceptual advance in understanding how musical training influences speech processing, an ability which, when impaired, can affect speech and reading competency.

Tinnitus And Trauma, Marc A. Fagelson

ETSU Faculty Works

Trauma-provoked tinnitus challenges patients and clinicians. Effects of trauma may exacerbate tinnitus, and patients with both tinnitus and posttraumatic stress disorder rate distress levels as higher than patients who experience only one or the other. This presentation will highlight links between tinnitus and trauma histories relevant to clinical audiologists.