Communication Disorders Clinic Expands Audiology Services

October 21, 2004 — The Communication Disorders Clinic at the University of Central Florida recently added hearing aid evaluations, the dispensing of digital hearing aids and hearing evaluations for infants and young children to its growing list of services for community members.

Audiologist Melissa Riess has been working to expand the clinic’s audiology services since she joined the facility in 2003. She and graduate student clinicians from Department of Communicative Disorders now work closely with clients to assess their hearing concerns and to find a hearing aid that best meets their needs.

According to Riess, who holds a doctorate in audiology, hearing loss may occur from prolonged exposure to noise or sudden and loud bursts of noise, normal aging of the inner ear, medication side effects or disease.

Barbara Howell, an instructor and research office director for the College of Health and Public Affairs, attributes her own hearing loss to a life-long problem with chronic sinus infections — and aging. After years of struggling to hear students in classrooms, missing parts of conversations and hearing her own voice as a muffle, she sought help at the Communication Disorders Clinic.

A series of hearing tests revealed that Howell could not hear some high-pitched frequencies. Riess fitted her with new digital hearing aids that she programmed to amplify only the frequencies that Howell was missing.

“Things are really crisp and clear now,” said Howell, who is thrilled with her improved hearing and the fact that her digital hearing aids are barely visible. She is also pleased that student clinicians were involved in every aspect of the process — from testing to fitting and programming of her hearing aids — and that she played a role in their learning experience.

The clinic has also recently expanded its audiology services to infants and young children by acquiring a state-of-the-art Visual Reinforcement Audiometry system, thanks to a generous grant from the UCF Learning Institute for Elders (LIFE).

“The first few years of a child's life are important in the development of speech, listening and language skills,” explained Charlotte Harvey, director of the clinic. “The ability to hear adequately allows a child to develop his or her foundation for developing literacy skills later in life. No child is too young to have his or her hearing checked.”

Harvey said any member of the UCF community or the general community may contact the clinic at 407-249-4770 to obtain information about scheduling an appointment for these services. The clinic is located off-campus in the Central Florida Research Park, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 155, in Orlando.

-- Karen Guin