Assistive Devices CEU Courses

This course provides data from surveys sent to youth and young adults with hearing loss who participated in High School and College athletics as well as audiologists who work with this age group. Data provide motivation for the need for a resource providing guidance related to the rules surrounding technology use in sports, the laws promoting accessibility, and strategies for assisting high school athletes with the transition to college level sports and a link to a resource is provided.

This course is the second part of a 2-part series addressing Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs). This course will address clinical and business practice changes that audiologists may consider to effectively adapt to the new legislative landscape formed by recent disruptive innovations.

Non-custom amplification devices broadly defined entail everything from personal sound amplification devices (PSAPs), assistive listening devices (ALDs), amplification smartphone-based apps, and the yet-to-be-created category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. This 5-part course will explore the underlying public health rationale for embracing these devices (Jan Blustein), an evidence-based review of their efficacy and effectiveness (Vinaya Manchaiah), and current real-world examples of clinics that are using non-customized amplification devices to provide more comprehensive and inclusive solutions for patients (Lori Zitelli and Nicholas Reed). The series will begin with a course by Dr. Brian Taylor review of the findings of the June 2016 NASEM report on affordability and accessibility of hearing health care for adults, the shortcomings of the current audiology practice delivery model and opportunities for improving patient care by using new technology.

This course will describe how non-custom amplification can be used in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Details about each of the clinic settings and data collected from these clinics will be shared, as well as tips for those who are interested in implementing similar strategies. This course is part of a 5-part webinar series in August 2017 entitled, Navigating the Risks and Rewards of Non-Custom Amplification Devices.

This course will begin by covering efficacy research as it relates to direct to consumer products. It will then explore implementation and brief outcomes of effectiveness research of a community-based hearing care program.