Caption: Flier Source: Communication Sciences and Disorders Division
The Communication Sciences and Disorders Division will be hosting a free adult hearing screening on Friday, Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Ludden Speech and Language Clinic.
This event will be open to the public by appointment. Appointments will be set for a 20 minute time slot and can be reserved by using https://form.jotform.com/240155531976055 or calling the Ludden Clinic at 773-298-3564.
Participants should limit their exposure to loud noises the day before and of their screening.
The National Institutes of Health say, “Sometimes exposure to impulse or continuous loud noise causes a temporary hearing loss that disappears 16 to 48 hours later.”
Melanie Greenspan, Clinical Supervisor, states, “There is not a one-fits-all recommendation for the frequency of hearing screenings. Factors to consider include age, risk factors, and overall health.”
Each screening will be executed by a graduate student clinician and supervised by a licensed speech-language pathologist.
“This event directly supports our graduate students in their clinical education,” says Greenspan.
The Communications, Sciences, and Disorders graduate student clinicians planned this event to provide screenings for the community as a part of their clinical practicums.
The graduate students providing the screenings are currently training to become speech-language pathologists. Hearing screenings play a significant part in this role and provide further experience before graduation.
The participants will be asked brief questions regarding their hearing. They will then wear headphones and the student clinician will play tones using an audiometer. Based on their responses, the participant will learn if they passed their screening.
Some questions to be asked during the screening include: Is there any ringing in your ears? Is there any pain or discomfort in your ears?, etc.
“Routine hearing screenings are important across the lifespan, especially through adulthood. Age-related hearing loss is very common. Declining hearing in adulthood is associated with higher unemployment rates, reduced cognitive functioning, and risks for falls,” according to Greenspan.
By receiving hearing screenings, they can aid in the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing loss in adults. Those who are frequently exposed to noisy environments, have ringing or pain in the ears are recommended to attend a hearing screening annually.
“The average adult waits many years before taking action to address their hearing status. Routine hearing screenings help to increase identification, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing loss in adults. Attending this free hearing screening is a great first step,” says Greenspan.
Hearing screenings do not reveal a diagnosis of hearing loss, but they could determine if further evaluation is needed. If an individual fails a hearing screening, they will be asked to receive a full hearing evaluation performed by an audiologist, ENT, or to talk with their physician.
The Ludden Clinic will be hosting screenings in the community and on campus throughout the 2024 fall and spring semesters.
According to Greenspan, “This semester the Ludden Clinic is hosting multiple events for younger children to participate in free speech and language screenings. Next fall, we will have free hearing screenings at various libraries in the community.”
Free hearing screenings at SXU offer community members easy access to information regarding the health of their hearing.
“We are thrilled to offer our services for free to the public and welcome the community to our Ludden Speech and Language Clinic. We are looking forward to screening as many members of the SXU community as we can,” states Greenspan.
For further information or to make an appointment, contact Melanie Greenspan at greenspan@sxu.edu, call the Ludden Clinic at 773-298-3564, or visit https://form.jotform.com/240155531976055.
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