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Seated: Member of Poarch Band of Creek Indian Tribe, Dr. Tonia Beverly, Assistant Professor, USA Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology
Standing: Paula Webb, USA Marx Librarian, Eialesha Martin, Member of Poarch Band of Creek Indian Tribe
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The Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Community received a wealth of information on hearing and vision loss not only by USA Biomedical Outreach Librarian Rachel Fenske and USA Marx Librarian Paula Webb, but also by the USA Speech Pathology & Audiology Department and Patrice Hall, Hearing Case Manager, from the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind.
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Patrice Hall, Vision Case Manager, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind demonstrates various resources available through her agency. |
The workshop was held March 1 in Atmore, AL. Four second-year graduate students in the Doctorate of Audiology (Au.D.) program of the USA Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology performed hearing screenings for this senior community, under the supervision of Dr. Tonia Beverly, Assistant Professor of Audiology, and Dr. Amy Nichols, Audiology Clinic Coordinator. The screenings were followed up with individual consultations providing interpretations of test results and recommendations on interventions to assist in their hearing loss. This event provided a practice site whereby students could actively engage in clinical procedures and gain valuable experience. The senior community greatly appreciated the onsite screenings as many of them would not have had the opportunity to go off-site to have the screenings performed. Providing this service allowed many of the senior participants to learn their level of hearing loss as well as finding out that their current hearing aid devices needed adjustment.
Ms. Hall spoke about the wealth of resources available through AIDB and demonstrated a variety of devices that are available to the community free of charge. She also explained how to apply for hearing and vision devices. Various magnifying devices, amplifiers, large-sized numeral telephones, sunglasses, recreational games in large format, and information on hearing aids were provided in a very informal setting.
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| USA graduate students in the Doctorate of Audiology program perform hearing screenings to members of the Poarch Band of Creek Indian Tribe. |
Ms. Fenske and Ms. Webb presented information on the causes and signs of hearing and vision loss in the elderly and the social impact these disabilities make in everyday life. The Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screenings (HHIE-S) was distributed and completed as a preliminary tool to determine those needing screenings later in the workshop. Anyone, however, despite their score, could receive a screening. Research on diseases and conditions that result from hearing and vision loss were presented with a discussion of interventions that can control these factors and help alleviate such conditions as loneliness, depression, dementia, Alzheimer’s and mortality.
Partnering with the USA Allied Health Department and students along with local community resources provided a wonderful health service workshop that greatly assisted our Native American neighbors. It was teamwork at its best!
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| Rachel Fenske, USA Biomedical Librarian, Dr. Tonia Beverly and graduate students from the USA Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology. |
