story by Claire Miller
In many elementary schools, administrators schedule a day during the academic year when their students can get their hearing checked.
This might be the first time a young child meets an audiologist, and they may not see one again for several decades.
“We have protocols for elementary school-aged children, but we don’t have as many protocols for hearing health until older adulthood,” said Liz Ramos Fernandez, who serves as a clinical assistant professor in Georgia State University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. “It's key for people to be aware of the hazardous effects of noise, which is one of the easiest factors we can control when it comes to our hearing health. We want to empower people by giving them the educational tools needed to modify their risk.”
National Audiology Awareness Month, which falls in October every year, is a good time to learn more about the field of audiology and better understand how to protect hearing health.
“Observing this month is important because it brings more visibility to this field and reinforces the interconnection between hearing and spoken communication,” said Ramos Fernandez, who is a certified audiologist and speech-language pathologist. “There’s also a strong correlation between untreated hearing loss and the possibility of developing cognitive decline. So, it’s important to continue to raise awareness and implement more hearing screening programs for adults from a public health standpoint.”
According to the American Academy of Audiology, hearing loss is the third most common health problem for older adults. There are several actions the academy recommends people take to help their hearing health, including the following:
- Limit use of portable devices and keep the volume level at the half-way point or under
- Wear hearing protection when around sounds louder than 85 decibels
- If you suspect a hearing loss, visit an audiologist who can evaluate your condition and provide rehabilitation and treatment
Audiology Certificate Programs for Georgia State Students
Georgia State students have the opportunity to learn more about audiology through two CEHD certificate programs: the undergraduate-level audiology assistant certificate program and the graduate-level audiology specialty certificate program.
The undergraduate certificate prepares students to perform specific tasks that are prescribed, directed and supervised by a certified or licensed audiologist, such as different hearing testing procedures, rehabilitation and communication strategies, testing and troubleshooting amplification devices, and more.
For students earning a graduate degree in communication sciences and disorders, the graduate-level certificate teaches students and professionals from other related disciplines a more in-depth knowledge of audiology with a focus on interprofessional education and collaboration.
Ramos Fernandez leads both certificate programs and has seen firsthand how her students have benefited from adding these certificates to their degrees.
“Earning a certificate as an audiology assistant student can expand students’ job opportunities and enables them to have better financial stability as they plan for their future endeavors,” she said. “It also gives students a sense of purpose by equipping them to serve and give back to their communities.”
The College of Education & Human Development’s (CEHD) Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic provides hearing screenings and evaluations for the Georgia State and Atlanta communities. Learn more about the clinic’s services and how to schedule an appointment.