AFAA met in San Antonio, TX, 7-9 April 2003 at Brooks City-Base. The following topics were presented.
The Quest For A Standard Audiogram Form: The New WHMC FormA presentation of the Wilford Hall Medical Center (WHMC) audiogram (WHMC FORM 3323) will be conducted. The focus of the report is on the components and positive aspects regarding the audiogram. The intent is to encourage standardization of an audiogram within Air Force Audiology.
Shannon Dettle, 1Lt, USAF, BSC
Clinical Fellow, Audiology
In the present healthcare environment there is an increased need for audiologists to measure the outcomes of hearing aid intervention. That is, providers of rehabilitative services are required to demonstrate the efficacy of their efforts. Especially in hearing aid rehabilitation, this means demonstrating improved communication skills and strategies with amplification. Traditionally, the outcomes of hearing aid intervention have been verified using objective measures such as the functional gain or real ear responses. Two subjective measures have been introduced to address the issue of the individual patient: the Client Oriented Scale of Improvement (COSI) and the Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile (GHABP). In the military environment, to use subjective outcome measures analytically, standardization is necessary. Considerations for implementation should be:
The application of the COSI and the GHAPB will be discussed with these ideas in mind.
Kwame’ Curtis, 1Lt, USAF, BSC
Wilford Hall Medical Center
A presentation on Wilford HallÕs Aural Rehabilitation program. It will address how our program is set up, broken down into five separate appointments including a group orientation. I will also discuss our use of hearing handicap scales and hearing aid satisfaction scales that we have added to our pre and post hearing aid appointments.
Nicole Cioni, 1Lt, USAF, BSC
Wilford Hall Medical Center
Auditory Evoked Potentials (AEP) have been used as objective measures of estimating hearing sensitivity and helping analyze the integrity of the auditory neural pathways. The P300 is an endogenous AEP response that requires the subject to cognitively process an auditory signal in order to get a response. The P300 is thought to reflect neuroelectric activity related to cognitive processes such as attention and memory. There has been much research on the use of the P300 utilizing the Òodd-ball paradigmÓ. Much of the research in the past has focused on the use of the P300 in helping identify dementia type disorders. There is however research showing some possible clinical uses of the P300. This presentation will discuss a brief history, possible recording parameters and focus on some clinical applications that can be accomplished using the P300.
Brandon Tourtillott, 1st Lt, USAF, BSC
Wilford Hall Medical Center
Air Force Instruction 90-500 established the Community Action Information Board (CAIB), a board of each installationÕs group commanders, to “promote cross-organizational collaboration” issues affecting readiness of the force and quality of life. The action arm of the CAIB is the Integrated Delivery System (IDS). The IDS as the CAIB’s Working Group consists of “representatives of CAIB organizations responsible for providingÉ prevention and education activities related to individual, family and community concerns”. Audiology/Hearing Conservation is first and foremost prevention of hearing loss for individuals, families and noise reduction for the community. The issues of hearing loss prevention have not been addressed in the IDS.
This presentation will discuss the IDS and outline why the IDS can be the ideal forum to elevate the issue of hearing loss prevention to the level of installation and group commanders.
Carolyn Bennett, LtCol, USAF, BSC
The Clinical Fellowship YearThe Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) is an important step in becoming a certified audiologist. This presentation will be a comparison between a civilian CFY in the San Antonio area and an Air Force CFY at Wilford Hall Medical Center. Client population, workload, clinical tests administered, amount of supervision, salary, and overall experience will be used as the basis for comparison.
Jeffrey Graley, 1Lt, USAF, BSC
CAPD Testing: A Practical Guide for the Solo Provider—Doing it Fast and RightThe assessment of Auditory Processing Disorders can present a significant time management challenge for military audiologists. At Wilford Hall Medical Center we have adopted a systems approach to the evaluation of patients suspected of having APD via what we consider to be an audiologist friendly test battery. The presentation will further discuss the use/rationale of the following: a) thorough case history; b) use of auditory checklists; c) use of the SCAN-C and A versions d) the Random Gap Detection Test; e) the Auditory Continuous Performance Test (ACPT); and f) the QUICK SIN. In addition we will review and discuss the use of the Scanware-C and Scanware-A Version 5.0 software as an adjunct to the audiologist and as a tool in preparing plain English reports. The presentation will conclude with specific recommendations.
Ben Sierra, Colonel, USAF, BSC
Audiology In–Service Tutorials For Healthcare WorkersSee Under the Headphones for this presentation.
Other Items