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Vital Components of Adult Hearing Care
Ling Zhong
Ling Zhong
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Vital Components of Adult Hearing Care

Explore hearing loss mechanisms and use cutting-edge research to educate adults on its impact, treatment options, tinnitus management, and hearing protection.

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Tuesdays
 at
11:00
A.M.
 ET /
8:00
A.M.
PT
8 weeks, 2-3 hours per week
Beginner
No experience required
No experience required
Some experience required
Degree and experience required

Description

Hearing loss is increasingly prevalent among adults, particularly older individuals. Research has highlighted its severe effects, including increased risk of falls, depression, cognitive decline, dementia, and higher rates of hospitalization. Despite these significant impacts, public awareness about the importance of adult hearing care remains low, with fewer than 20% of adults with hearing loss seeking treatment.

In this project, you will create an awareness overview resource aimed at educating the public on crucial aspects of adult hearing care. Your presentation will cover: the mechanisms and pathways of hearing, the pathologies and impacts of hearing loss, the characteristics and management of tinnitus, options for hearing devices, and strategies for hearing protection. This project will not only immerse you in the field of audiology but also provide you with valuable experience in advocacy and research. Developing the ability to critically review research literature is essential for evidence-based practice. The skills and knowledge gained from this project will be vital for your success in the healthcare field.

Session timeline

  • Applications open
    September 5, 2024
  • Application deadline
    September 19, 2024
  • Project start date
    Week of July 8, 2024
    Week of
    October 7, 2024
  • Project end date
    Week of

What you will learn

  • Elaborate on hearing pathways from peripheral to central level. Identify the anatomical regions of the ear, including outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear and explain each ear region’s function. Understand the function of the auditory nerve and how sound signals are delivered to the central brain level.
  • Classify 3 types of hearing loss and interpret hearing loss degree and configurations that are reflected on the audiograms. The 3 types of hearing loss include: Conductive, Sensorineural, and Mixed hearing loss. Learn the concepts of audiogram, frequency, hearing level in decibel, hearing thresholds, air conduction testing, bone conduction testing, and symbols to document results on audiogram.
  • Critically review research literatures that investigate the impact of hearing loss, especially on cognitive function.
  • Differentiate non-surgical and surgical hearing device options. Understand the differences regarding device working mechanism, suitable population, and the general process of device fitting.
  • Explain tinnitus definitions, correlation of tinnitus and hearing loss, and management options for tinnitus.
Build Projects are 8-week experiences that operate on a rolling basis. Selected participants engage in weekly live workshops with a Build Fellow and 2-15 other students.

Project workshops

1
Introductions
2
Mechanism of Hearing Sounds
3
Hearing Loss
4
Literature Review and Hearing Loss Impact
5
Hearing Devices Selections
6
Tinnitus Characteristics and Management
7
Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Prevention
8
Presentations

Prerequisites

  • Understanding the meaning of hearing impairment.
  • Familiarity with physical concepts of mass, elasticity, sound source, media, energy, work, frequency, sound intensity, density, sound waveforms.
  • Familiarity with concepts of transducer (e.g. headphones, microphones, speaker).
  • Memory in your cell phone to download and utilizing designated applications.
  • Experience with Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word.

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About the expert

Ling Zhong is an Audiology Fellow at Open Avenues Foundation, where she works closely with students and leads hearing healthcare projects. In addition to her role at the OAF, Ling practices as an audiologist at a private hearing clinic in the Bay Area. There, she specializes in diagnosing hearing loss, consulting on and fitting hearing aids, providing cerumen removal services, and managing tinnitus. Ling is also involved in conducting research projects related to hearing sciences at the clinic. She earned her Doctor of Audiology degree from Vanderbilt University. Outside of her professional life, Ling enjoys gathering with friends and exploring her surroundings.

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