Learning Labs

Presenters: Coral Dirks, AuD and Anthony Tolisano, MD

This session will focus on when to order and how to interpret common imaging techniques (CT and MRI) useful to the hearing health practitioner for diagnosing and treating audiologic / otologic disorders. Participants should expect to learn why certain imaging studies are ordered for different pathologies and how to understand the findings. Participants will engage in clinical decision-making processes for these disorders utilizing case-based discussions. Attendees will be given a series of patient care scenarios and asked to select optimal imaging studies using a multiple-choice format; when study results are shown, attendees will be asked to give pertinent findings, again in multiple choice format. We will then discuss the appropriate studies and findings together, and how they bear upon the patient cases presented.

Presenters: Laura Flowers, AuD, Emily McMahan, AuD, and Natalie Phillips, AuD

This interactive 3-hour Learning Lab is designed to give audiologists and practice owners the practical tools and roadmap needed to develop and implement a tinnitus and sound sensitivity program within their own clinic. Rather than focusing on diagnosis or treatment, the session will focus on the business, operational, and administrative aspects of building a successful and sustainable program. Join Natalie Phillips, AuD, Laura Flowers, AuD, and Emily McMahan, AuD as they share their real-world experiences, processes, and lessons learned from developing and implementing tinnitus and sound sensitivity services in their own practices.  Through guided instruction, real-world examples, and hands-on exercises, attendees will work through the key steps involved in starting a tinnitus and sound sensitivity program, from assessing practice readiness and determining staffing and resource needs to developing patient and scheduling workflows, creating patient forms and materials, establishing financial and business processes, and integrating the program into existing clinic operations. Presenters will share examples of what has worked in their practices, challenges they encountered, and what they would do differently.  Attendees will leave with practical resources they can adapt to their own clinics, including a tinnitus and sound sensitivity program start-up checklist, sample patient and scheduling workflows, patient forms and materials, and guidance on key financial and business considerations. The goal is to provide an instructional roadmap that takes attendees from the initial idea of offering tinnitus and sound sensitivity services to the practical implementation of a functioning program.

Presenters: Frank Wartinger, AuD and Juan Vasquez, AuD

The sub-specialty of Music Audiology is evolving quickly, and every clinician has a role to play in the new framework. While there are an exceedingly small number of audiologists who specialize in the hearing care of music industry professionals and performing arts professionals, every audiologist's caseload includes individuals who identify as musicians, work in the performing arts, and value music as an important auditory signal for quality of life. This workshop will unpack the exciting updates in Music Audiology, including a dedicated provider network, educational resources, training programs for music venue workers, and the first comprehensive clinical Music Audiology textbook. Hands-on activities will aim to demystify the use, function, and audiologist's role in fitting in-ear monitors and hearing aids for highly specialized ears.