Marsha Kluesing, Au. D. CCC-A Assistant Clinical Professor Dept. of Communication Disorders College of Liberal Arts 1199 Haley Center Auburn University

Profession of Audiology Audiology is a highly recognized profession Ranked by U. S. News and World Report as one of the Best Careers in 2006, 2007, and 2008.

Audiologists are the primary health care professionals who evaluate diagnose treat manage hearing loss and balance disorders in adults and children

AUDIOLOGISTS Prescribe and fit hearing aids Assist in Cochlear Implant programs Perform ear or hearing related surgical monitoring Design and implement Hearing conservation programs Newborn hearing screening programs

Provide Rehabilitation Training Auditory training Speech reading Listening skills

Across the generations Provide treatment to all types of hearing loss in Adults Teens Children Infants

Variety of work settings Hospitals Clinics Private practice ENT office (Otolaryngologists) Universities K-12 schools Government, military, VA hospitals

Treatments for Hearing Loss Almost all types of hearing loss are treatable Most nerve damage can be treated by an audiologist with Hearing aids Assistive listening devices Hearing rehabilitation

Doctoral Degrees Au. D.,(Doctor of Audiology) earned by most audiologists Other degrees that audiologists can obtain Ph. D. Sc. D. From accredited universities with training in hearing disorders Prevention Identification, assessment, &treatment

Licensure in Most States Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech- Language Pathology and Audiology Continuing Education requirement 12 hours

Auburn University Speech and Hearing Clinic An outreach of the College of Liberal Arts Established in 1947 Speech Language Pathology…master’s Doctor of Audioloy clinical degree Full range of diagnostic, evaluation and treatment services Infants to elderly Website c/ c/

TINNITUS Hissing, roaring, ringing Onset coincides with change Emotional Physical Social Might have psychological or physiological component Exact cause unknown

Potential causes Outer ear Ear wax (cerumen) Hair, foreign object touching the eardrum Middle ear conditions

Middle Ear Conditions Vascular Abnormalities Infections Otosclerosis Muscle spasms Eustachian tube dysfunction Benign tumors

Inner Ear Conditions Damage due to noise exposure Presbycusis Labryinthitis (inner ear infection) Meniere’s disease (involving HL and dizziness)

Other possible causes of tinnitus Hormonal changes Tumors Thyroid dysfunction Metabolic abnormalities Trauma to head or neck Jaw joint misaligned (TMJ)

Tinnitus Sufferers Majority have hearing loss Tinnitus does not mean one is losing hearing Should consult an audiologist or ENT Obtain information from the American Tinnitus Association (ATA) 60 million Americans experience 12 million seek help

One’s Reaction Determines Severity Quality of life Sleep Concentrating Attention to detail Hyperacusis (sensitivity to loud sound) Stress Subjective like pain Experience is unique to each person

To Minimize Tinnitus Avoid loud noise Wear ear protection in noisy areas Maintain good nutrition, certain disorders affected by intake of Salt Stimulants, caffeine Alcohol Exercise Educate yourself about tinnitus

Minimize Tinnitus Hearing Aids Amplify speech and background noise to reduce tinnitus Relieve stress associated with impact of hearing loss on communication

Treatments, No Cures Masking Instruments with various sounds Medications, consult an M. D. Anti-anxiety Anti-depressant Stress Management Relaxation Biofeedback

Treatments Habituation Training Education Sound Training Brain can relearn patterns

VA Tinnitus DVD A tinnitus story

Door prize Look under your chair

Hearing Screening Takes about five minutes Determines if hearing is within normal limits If not normal, more testing recommended Auburn University Speech and Hearing Center (334) Thank you for this opportunity!!!