Online, Asynchronous Hearing Education and Research Project for Ethnically Diverse Adolescents via Interprofessional Collaboration and Electronic Service-Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Study on the Needs and Challenges

Purpose This study discusses the creation of an online, asynchronous presentation to educate adolescents about prevention of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) through interprofessional collaborations and electronic service-learning (eSL) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method The Hearing Education and Research (HEAR) presentation, which included activities and videos to educate a group of ethnically diverse adolescents ( n = 100) on NIHL, was created by 11 doctor of audiology (AuD) students through online collaborations toward course-related eSL requirements. Adolescents responded to a baseline survey to assess hearing health–related behaviors prior to reviewing the presentation. A postprogram survey was administered 1 week after the presentation to assess change in knowledge and attitudes toward NIHL prevention. Online collaborations with schoolteachers helped with project implementation. Postreflection papers written by AuD students regarding the eSL activities were analyzed. Lastly, suggestions from a focus group of educators were included that highlight the role of interprofessional collaborations to enhance school-based hearing conservation opportunities. Results The HEAR presentation resulted in changes in knowledge about NIHL among the adolescents. Postreflection papers by the AuD students indicated that the eSL activity served as a high-impact pedagogical assignment, especially during the academic challenges of the pandemic. Feedback from a focus group of schoolteachers helped outline ideas for future implementation of sustainable hearing conservation programs in school settings. Conclusion The pilot data collected in this study serve as a proof of concept for future hearing conservation projects in school-based settings via interprofessional collaborations and by engaging university students via eSL.

Awareness of the Profession of Audiology Among Ethnically Diverse Adolescents: A Pre- and Post-Education Study

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate knowledge about the profession of Audiology among adolescents from diverse backgrounds before, immediately after, and 6 months after an educational program on the profession of Audiology. Method Adolescents ( N = 152) from ethnically diverse backgrounds responded to a survey investigating their awareness about Audiology. Thereafter, they participated in an educational program on the profession of Audiology. One third of the participants were invited to respond to the survey immediately after the educational program. Six months after the educational program, 120 of the original sample of 152 participants responded again to the survey in order to assess if the gains from the educational program were retained. Results The results from the baseline survey indicated that approximately 25% of participants were aware about the profession of Audiology. None of the participants reported that balance assessment or management was within the scope of practice of audiologists in the baseline survey. The chi-square test indicated that the educational program resulted in significant enhancement in awareness about the profession of Audiology immediately after education. Results also indicated that the gains in knowledge were retained 6 months after education. Conclusion In light of the existing literature, it is clear that there is a need to recruit an ethnically diverse talent pool of individuals who will choose a career in Audiology in the forthcoming decades. Preliminary results from this study could be helpful in strategizing efforts to improve the visibility of Audiology to younger college aspirants. Advantages of reaching to school-age students at grassroots levels and educating them about the profession of Audiology are discussed in this article.