SHS 221 Module 1

WWII VA hospitals. Veterans returned with noise-induced hearing loss

Where did the evolution of audiology come from?

• body-level hearing aids

• received extensive aural rehabilitation

What were the veterans issued?

2.5 billion

By 2050, how many people are projected to have some degree of hearing loss?

>700 million

__ people will require hearing rehabilitation

95.1 million aged 5-19 years

__ children aged __ years live with hearing loss worldwide

>1 billion

__ young adults are at risk of permanent hearing loss

3rd

Hearing loss is the __ most common chronic physical condition in the U.S.

Diabetes or cancer

Hearing loss is approximately twice as prevalent as _ or _

>50 million (1 in 7 people)

__ Americans (_ in _ people) have some degree of hearing loss

98%

_% of newborns in the U.S. receive hearing screenings each year

1 in 500

_ in _ infants are born with or may develop hearing loss in early childhood

5.1 million (1 in 10 children)

__ children (_ in _ children) have some degree of hearing loss

30 million

How many U.S. workers are exposed to workplace noise levels high enough to cause permanent hearing loss?

53%

What percent of noise-exposed workers report not wearing any ear protection?

Hearing loss

What is the most common service-connected disability among U.S. veterans?

3.6 million

How many U.S. veterans receive benefits for hearing-related conditions?

28.8 million

How many US adults could benefit from hearing aids?

1 in 5 people

_ in _ people who could benefit from hearing aids use them

9

People wait up to _ years to get their hearing aids after a diagnosis

Economic, social/emotional, physical

What are the three consequences of untreated hearing loss?

Unaddressed hearing loss has annual global costs of $1 trillion

Economical consequences of untreated hearing loss

Negative impact on communication, education, employment, social participation, and quality of life

Social/emotional consequences of untreated hearing loss

• Increased risk of falls in older adults

• Association with other health conditions (heart, diabetes, depression)

Physical consequences of untreated hearing loss

Audiologists diagnose, manage, and treat individuals with hearing and balance-related problems. They work with patients of all ages

Who is an Audiologist?

• Medical audiology

• Pediatrics

• Geriatrics

• Cochlear implants

• Hearing aids

• Tinnitus

• Balance

• Auditory processing

What are the 8 specializations of audiologists?

Doctor of Audiology (Au.D)

What degree do you need to enter the occupation of audiology?

4 years

• 3 years theory + clinic and 1 year externship

How long does it take to complete a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D) after a bachelor’s?

77

• Southern Miss is one of them

How many Audiology clinical doctorate programs are in the US?

55 years

How long has USM been offering accredited programs in audiology?

Required by all states in the US to practice audiology. Certification is voluntary

Explain a license in audiology

Issued by national professional organizations such as the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) or the American Academy of Audiology (AAA)

Explain a certification in audiology

9%

• Faster than the average of all occupations

Employment of audiologists is projected to grow _% from 2024 to 2034