Phonak Hearing Systems in Warrenville, Illinois, was host to the third annual "Phonak U" meeting, an educational conference held exclusively for students in residential AuD programs. This year, over 300 AuD and PhD students, representing 54 graduate programs from across the US, were welcomed to the event by Phonak US President Cathy Jones. The program was designed to augment the experience gained in their educational programs and clinical rotations through a series of lectures, workshops, and "hands-on" experience with hearing aids, FM systems, cerumen management and real-ear measurement equipment.
Students were able to customize their experience by creating their own program schedule by selecting from the array of course offerings. The interactive format also included lectures given by a distinguished group of Phonak employees and guest faculty, including Drs. Rita Chaiken, David Fabry, Barry Freeman, Alan Freint, Robert Glaser, Gyl Kasewurm, Tracy Murphy, Catherine Palmer, Paul Pessis, Richard Salvi, Joseph Smaldino, Robert Sweetow, Dennis Van Vliet and Gail Whitelaw.
A wide variety of educational topics were covered, including an extensive offering of adult and pediatric amplification topics, sessions on hair cell regeneration, tinnitus diagnosis and treatment, vestibular diagnosis and treatment, aural rehabilitation, forensic audiology, ethics, and practice development. In addition, students participated in exercises designed to simulate real-world professional interactions, discussed interviewing skills, professional issues, and had the opportunity to improve their earmold impression and modification, hearing aid programming, and clinical verification skills.
Next year's meeting will be held in August, 2007. Interested students should contact David Fabry at (800) 777 7333 or dave.fabry@phonak.com
