Audiologists are all about vibrations. Vibrations in the audible spectrum, and then some even lower frequency, longer wavelength vibrations that the vestibular system is so fond of. Seismologists, interested in detecting earthquakes also live in the world of low-frequency, long-wavelength vibrations. In fact, there is now a global network of detectors, on and listening at all times for seismic activity and documenting earthquakes, small and big alike.

As audiologists, we live in very focused arenas, such as human hearing. However, there are many sounds above, below and beyond human perception. Further, there are many things sound facilitates besides speech, language, music and background noise. In this interview, we explore some uses of sound with respect to non-human production and perception of sound.

By Douglas L. Beck, AuD

Academy/Beck: Hi, John. It’s an honor to meet you.

Page: Hi, Doug. Thanks. It’s nice to meet you, too.

Douglas L. Beck, AuD, Web content editor, speaks with the Lord Mayor about the BAA, held in Liverpool in November 2008 (and again in November 2009). The Lord Mayor invites audiologists from around the world to visit Liverpool in 2009 and experience the “2008 European Capital of Culture.”

Academy: Good afternoon, Lord Mayor. It’s an honor to meet you.

Lord Mayor: Thanks, Dr. Beck, the pleasure is mine. It’s my first time being surrounded by audiologists, they’re a delightful bunch and we’re honored to have them.

Suzanne Nooij defended her doctoral dissertation in May 20, 2008, at Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, alongside her PhD supervisor, Wubbo Eckels — the first Dutchman in space as a space shuttle passenger (1986). Nooij's dissertation topic was Space Adaptation Syndrome (SAS). SAS is experienced by up to 80% of all astronauts and usually lasts for not more than the first three days of space flight. Nooij's premise is that SAS occurs when humans experience the onset or conclusion of centrifuge-like motion (rotation) and when they adapt to different gravitational forces.

Researchers evaluated records from 2,400 patients across 20 hospitals in Quebec. Patients with communication problems such as deafness, blindness, and psychiatric disorders were determined to be at three times the risk for unintended negative consequences secondary to delivery of care issues, rather than their diagnosed condition. Preventable adverse effects happened more in women that in men and occurred more in patients over age 65. Half the problems encountered were due to hearing difficulties.