Essay On Otoacoustic Emission Hearing Screening

Introduction

Audiology is the study of hearing as it is involved in communication. I am currently studying Audiology at Southeastern Louisiana University. To pursue a career in this field, one of the most important tools needed is audiology equipment. One of the tools I will need and will begin to use as an undergraduate is an Otoacoustic Emissions Hearing Screener. Otoacoustic Emissions are sounds given off by the inner ear when the cochlea is stimulated by a sound. These vibrations begin the process of perceiving sounds. People who have normal hearing produce emissions. Inner Ear health is very vital to one’s overall health and can be indicators for medical illnesses, abnormalities, speech and language difficulties, and possible disorders

that are associated with hearing ability. This test is used to determine if there’s blockage in the ear canal or any obstructions and abnormalities in the structures and functions that can affect their hearing ability and overall communication. Otoacoustic Emissions testing is now required for newborns to observe their hearing at infancy. Hearing screenings are very common and performed on all ages to measure their ability to hear. High-quality audiology instrumentation is vital to have to learn and work in this field. It will help provide a service for people with impaired hearing that affects overall communication, intelligibility, and functioning.

Current Situation

As a student in this field, I am constantly learning about disorders associated with communication.

This includes how to assess patients, what information needs to be gathered, how to create an intervention plan, and providing effective therapy. A hearing screening is the first step to determine if there is an existing problem and if the client needs to be referred for more testing. If a hearing screening is not conducted and there is possible damage or impairment, the client could possibly be misdiagnosed and treated ineffectively. Otoacoustic Emission Hearing Screening is designed to identify those at risk or people with impairment as early as possible so that treatment can be provided. As a student, I am exposed to equipment and hands-on opportunities to practice on classmates using such instrumentation. Purchasing my own equipment would benefit me not only as a student for training but also for my future career. Two major concerns that I have with not having the instrumentation, are being limited of experiences that I have in class due to sharing with a large class and not learning how to properly use the equipment. Many issues can arise without the knowledge and experience with audiology instrumentation such as a misdiagnosis, persistent problems for the client, and negative outcomes for the

clinician.

Project Plan

The main goal is to provide effective treatment for clients. Key objectives toward meeting this goal are to purchase the equipment, receive training using this specific equipment, apply knowledge and experience to observe and determine results, and provide effective therapy for clients.
The first step is to determine which brand or company to purchase from and where to find it. The second step is to purchase the equipment before clinical experiences in my upcoming semester. The third step is to begin training with professors at school and in the clinical or classroom setting. The fourth step is to apply what I have learned in class to understand what I am looking for and determine results to decide what will happen next for the client. The fifth and final step, after using the instrumentation properly, is to provide effective therapy for clients and further my career in this field.