On the Ear: An Audiology Podcast

Guest: Ryan McCreery, PhD This episode features the leading expert in pediatric amplification sharing current Best Practices and research in hearing aid programming and care for children. The discussion ranges from programming methods to outcome measures and includes upcoming collaborations between audiology and neuroscience.

Guest: Amanda Sloop, AuD., CCC-A - This episode explores the clinical research progress, from the spark of a question to study design, subject recruitment, writing/analysis, and eventually conference submission and publication. The guest shares her experiences in strategic design and recruitment and disseminating information with social media or conference presentations.

Guest: Madison Howe, Aud, CCC-A - This episode explores the evolving role of professionals as they transition from clinician to leadership position. It will address the challenges and opportunities faced by clinicians in assuming leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of different styles, planning, and quality improvement.

Guest: Melissa Anderson, AuD, CCC-A: This episode explores cochlear nerve deficiency (CND) and its consequences, focusing on using cochlear implants in this population. The guest provides expert insights into counseling and programming, as well as what collaborating on a team to manage these patients looks like.

Guest: Margaret Dillon, AuD., Ph.D - Dr. Meg Dillon shares the history of treatment for single-sided deafness (SSD), how cochlear implants have become a good intervention option for this population, and how our approach to programming CI for SSD has evolved. Her new approaches include incorporating imaging and addressing frequency mismatch.

Guest: Matthew Bush, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS - Dr. Matthew Bush is a leader in the field of research regarding disparities in hearing healthcare. He shares his work in assessing these disparities and what clinicians can practically do to begin addressing these gaps and barriers to care.

Meredith Berger is the Director of Clarke School New York, a leader in the field of early intervention for children who are deaf and hard of hearing, and parent of a child with bilateral microtia/atresia. She discusses her experiences and the connections across these disciplines, as well as provides an in-depth discussion of microtia and atresia.

Guest: Derek Stiles, PhD, CCC-A - Dr. Stiles is the Director of the Diagnostic Audiology Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, and his team recently developed metrics for measuring productivity in their department. In this episode, he describes their process for developing wRVUs, how it affects workflow, and how current clinicians can incorporate these ideas into their productivity metrics.

Guest: Madison Howe, AuD, CCC-A - Dr. Howe shares the ways that clinicians can adjust their practice to improve inclusivity for their gender-diverse patients. Her discussion includes tips, training, language, and opportunities for growth that audiologists can utilize to ensure their care is compassionate and culturally competent.

Guest: Teddy McRackan, MD - The guest shares his work evaluating the poor correlation between cochlear implant speech recognition scores and patient-reported outcome measures. Discussion explores how we can improve pre-CI evaluations and patient expectations, as well as a new tool developed to assess CI Quality of Life.

Guest: J. Riley DeBacker, AuD, Ph.D. - Mentorship is a topic not often formally taught but critical to the success of professionals in a variety of backgrounds. Not only can mentorship benefit mentees, but also mentors and the profession as a whole. Dr. DeBacker shares his insights on the impact mentorship has played in his career, and how those not currently engaged can seek it out.

While many audiologists specialize in different types of care, such as tinnitus, vestibular, or cochlear implants, few emphasize the distinct connection between our field and that of musicians. Dr. Heather Malyuk is a clinician who focuses on providing cutting-edge care for musicians, as a specialist in Music and Alternative Audiology. She explains her work with this population, and how the future of audiology can be shaped by this work.

Pediatric audiologists serve a variety of roles in providing hearing healthcare, but in hospitals and medical-based programs, that role can stretch into the complex realm of palliative care. This discussion includes where the audiologist fits into this sensitive aspect of care, and how they can work collaboratively with other professionals involved. Follow us on Instagram: @OnTheEarPodcast Like us on Facebook: On The Ear: An Audiology Podcast

Donna Sorkin, executive director of the American Cochlear Implant Alliance, shares her journey to receiving a cochlear implant, including the sounds, experiences, stresses, and successes. She explains how music sounds with her implant, accessible technology, and how she uses the technology to empower her life and leadership role. Follow us on Instagram: @OnTheEarPodcast Like us on Facebook: On The Ear: An Audiology Podcast

Dr. Donna Smiley explains her journey of over 30 years in audiology, from clinical to educational settings, and now in a leadership role at ASHA. She shares how audiologists can become better advocates for the profession, insights into what the future may hold for the field, including what to expect with over-the-counter hearing devices, and the unexpected opportunities they might offer. Follow the podcast on Instagram! @OnTheEarPodcast Like the podcast on Facebook! www.facebook.com/OnTheEarPodcast

Dr. Liz Fuemmeler and Dr. Daniel J Romero are vestibular scientists that are involved in research and clinical work. Liz is one of a handful of private practice vestibular specialists, and Daniel is at the forefront of vestibular research. Tune in to find out how each of them became interested in the vestibular field, and what their advice is to other audiologists looking to improve their balance care. From lessons learned while collaborating with other healthcare professionals, to their favorite cases, you won’t want to miss out on this fascinating episode!

Dr. McCreery discusses his experience transitioning from clinical audiology to research work with the Outcomes of Children with Hearing Loss (OCHL) study at Boys Town National Research Hospital. He reviews their findings, including the impact of newborn hearing screening, early intervention, and advances in hearing technology on a wide range of outcomes for children who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Dr. Melanie Morris shares her process of establishing a remote auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing program, including the training, equipment, and challenges involved. Her experience working with “TeleABRs” has improved access to care in areas where the diagnostic evaluation has limited (and sometimes no) provider options, and also where COVID-19 has further limited access. Free resources for establishing a TeleABR program from Melanie and her team can be found here and here.

Dr. Danika Pfeiffer’s research examines the clinical implications and expressions of inter-professional practice (IPP). Her discussion with Dr. Dakota Sharp covers the importance of IPP, the common misconceptions of practitioners, and how IPP can be utilized more effectively to improve outcomes for patients and clinicians alike. She also shares information about her new podcast, "About, From, & With: A SLP Podcast." You can check out that podcast here.

Episode 26: The Full Scope of Audiology: Research Audiologist with Rachel Spitzer, Au.D.