April 13, 2004
Audiology program opens hearing aid clinic
Better training
opportunities for CSUS audiology students as well as specialized services for
local residents come together when the speech pathology and audiology department
opens its new hearing aid clinic on campus this week.
The clinic, which will offer personalized hearing aid fitting and sales, is
one of the building blocks for a proposed clinical doctorate in audiology, says
speech pathology and audiology department chair James McCartney. It will also
give students a chance to interact with clients that they would be likely to
come across in their daily work – but who they might not necessarily get
to work with in an internship.
“Students don’t see a mix of clients,” McCartney says, noting
that most of the clinical work at CSUS involves testing children. “They
don’t get to see adults who are coping with a hearing loss. This will
allow them to experience what’s out there and round out their clinical
expertise before an internship.”
Audiology professor Rupa Balachandran, who will oversee the clinic, says the
specialized training will let students learn about an area of audiology where
they may eventually want to work. Under supervision, students will give hearing
tests and learn how to fit people with hearing aids. They’ll learn how
to assist those who already have hearing aids but need adjustments or repairs.
At the same time they’ll learn about the latest amplification technology.
“In the last five years the technology has changed so much,” Balachandran
says. Today, hearing aids are digital, and most are programmable for a variety
of situations so if over time a person’s hearing changes they don’t
necessarily need a new device.
Because of the clinic’s location in the Maryjane Rees Language, Speech
and Hearing Center, she sees bonuses for the clients as well. In addition to
testing for and fitting hearing aids, Balachandran sees the opportunity to spread
the message of hearing loss and amplification. “Education is a big part
of audiology. The magnitude of hearing loss is widespread but modern technology
is making hearing solutions better and much more affordable.”
Eventually they want to incorporate therapy, such as aural rehabilitation in
group sessions, into the hearing aid service, and at no charge. In the meantime,
she says, “It will be a place where people can come if they have concerns
about their hearing. We can tell them if they do or don’t need a hearing
aid – they might just need amplification for the telephone or the television.
And we can talk to them about their needs. The goal is to provide a service
to as many as we can.”
That service will also include post-fitting care.
In the beginning, the clinic will be open three days a week. Appointments for
the clinic can be made by calling 278-6601. The testing, fitting and consultation
are free for CSUS students, faculty and staff. Hearing aids will be sold at
market value.
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