Kelsey Hatton, AuD

What is your background in audiology?

In my first semester of undergrad I took Hearing Sciences, and decided audiology was for me! Along the way, I received excellent mentorship in a variety of laboratories, fostering my interest in research. I credit my time and mentors in the Psychoacoustics Lab of Dr. Dennis McFadden, Electrophysiology labs of Dr. Craig Champlin and Dr. Linda Hood (T35 traineeship), and Vestibular Disorders Lab of Dr. Gary Jacobson, Dr. Devin McCaslin, and Dr. Richard Roberts for formulating my perspective on clinical research and evidence-based practice. In graduate school, I was able to pursue an interest in vestibular assessment. Upon graduating in 2013, I stayed in Nashville as a full-time clinical audiologist while managing the Vanderbilt Balance Disorders Lab. In 2022, I returned to the University of Texas at Austin as a Clinical Assistant Professor. This position brings together many of my favorite pursuits: clinic, teaching Vestibular Sciences I & II, student advising, and Capstone project support.

Why do you volunteer with the Academy?

While we frame voting as a core tenant of civic duty, I also believe volunteering with AAA and other organizations are pillars of my professional duty. My mentors and coworkers consistently served in a leadership role in the Academy or, more often, multiple professional organizations. Throughout my career I’ve had an over-the-shoulder peek into the Academy’s editorial process, committees, and guideline development. Observing others and then volunteering myself taught me that when you are actively engaged in professional duty, your opinion is surveyed more consistently, and you can advocate for professional resources to be directed where you think they are needed. This amplifies your impact as an individual or as part of the audiology collective for the benefit of your specialty interest area, our field, our future trainees, and our patients.

What is one thing that you can say volunteering has done for you and your personal success as an audiologist?

Working on committees with students and professionals from across the country inspires me to grow and approach ideas from a new angle. Conversation in these groups refills my creative cup, and getting to meet up at conference is a motivating reward for ongoing committee work as well. Life is hectic, so knowing that volunteering restores my positive energy is what keeps me coming back to it time and again.

What’s your favorite fall tradition?

Trying to come up with a “punny” Halloween costume and usually crafting something silly at the last minute. Being a bright idea (dressing in neon), a running shoe (run away when they ask what you are), a zom-bee (bee antenna and wings required), or the carrot passage have been some favorites

What’s your favorite fall snack or drink?  

For fall it has to be cranberries! In most forms, but if you want to go to the effort there’s a NYT recipe for a Cranberry Curd Tart … and my first bite of that every year means fall has truly arrived.