Students learned about production, research and fitting of hearing instruments and had the opportunity to discuss industry topics of current interest with Dr. Robert Sweetow, Dr. Todd Ricketts and Dr. Brent Edwards.
Dr. Sweetow is Director of Audiology and Professor of Otolaryngology at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Sweetow spoke on two topics: "Counseling and Rehabilitation Procedures for Hearing Aid Fittings" and "Clinical Management of the Tinnitus Patient."
Dr. Sweetow commented on the value of field training for students in academe. "This kind of training is a great opportunity for students to hear things from people in the industry and from other professors, so they get some different viewpoints. Plus, when they come to the manufacturers, they learn about earmold technology and how things are made that you can't learn about in the schools, because you don't have that equipment."
Dr. Ricketts is an Associate Professor at the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center for Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences and Director of the Dan Maddox Hearing Aid Research Laboratory. His topic at the workshop was "Directional Hearing Aids: Benefits, Limitations and their Impact on Fitting Decisions." Dr. Ricketts recognized the efficacy of allowing students to share with each other in an environment that fosters discussion about audiology.
Dr. Edwards is Executive Director of the Starkey Hearing Research Center in Berkeley, California. Dr. Edwards addressed workshop participants on "Cognition and Hearing Aids" and "Future Technology."
Workshop participants had opportunities to observe and inquire about manufacturing processes and understand the relationship between the audiologist and the manufacturer.
Laurie McDaniel of East Tennessee State University said, "This has been a great experience. In addition to the excellent training we receive in the workshop, we learn a lot from each other about the way different academic training programs prepare their students."
Summer Raye Karns of Auburn University said, "We have been very busy, learned a great deal and made many friends in our field. Personally, I'm very impressed with Starkey. It seems like a very down-to-earth company. I'm similarly impressed with Bill Austin who, from having established the Starkey Hearing Foundation, has obviously remembered his roots."
Applications will soon be available for the 2006 Starkey Student Workshop. Interested students can call 800.328.8602 or visit www.starkeyfirst.com.
Dr. Robert Sweetow (right) and Dr. Brent Edwards (left) discuss tinnitus patient management procedures.
Starkey's second annual student workshop hosted 46 graduate students pursuing M.S., Au.D. and Ph.D. degrees in audiology from universities throughout the country.
About Starkey Laboratories
Headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Starkey Laboratories, Inc. is a worldwide provider of comprehensive digital hearing systems, including custom and standard devices, protection products, instrumentation and unique business solutions. Founded in 1967, Starkey owns the Audibel, Micro-Tech, NuEar, Omni and Qualitone companies and operates facilities in 24 countries. Starkey is the recognized world leader in the design and development of innovative custom digital hearing instruments. For more information visit www.starkey.com
