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NCHAM: National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management, Utah State University

Events > Diagnostics Workshop: Puerto Rico

Diagnostics and Amplification for Infants and Toddlers: Puerto Rico

The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program of Puerto Rico and the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM) are partnering up to offer an exciting opportunity for audiologists to enhance their knowledge and skills in the assessment of hearing loss in infants and strategies to ensure appropriate amplification and intervention for infants and toddlers with hearing loss. This training combines on-line preparation with a four day session emphasizing clinical procedures and hands-on practicum.

a baby playing with a toy telephone

March 24 to 27th, 2010
Conrad Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino
San Juan, PR

Contact Information: 787-302-1018
pcanusalud@gmail.com

40 Continuing Education Credits (AAA).
There will be no charge for the Puerto Rican audiologist registration, nor for their CEU’s. There is limited seating.

On-line Instruction (required to attend on-site workshop)

Weekly readings and case studies will increase theoretical and clinical knowledge. The reading list includes current related information regarding diagnostics, amplification and intervention for infants and young children. The course textbook is the New Handbook of Auditory Evoked Responses by Dr. Hall (included in the registration fee.) Additional reading material will be available for download from the website. Material will be discussed during weekly chat sessions with mentors. Questions may be posted on a web-based bulletin board. Participants will be required to successfully complete an on-line exam to measure their understanding of the background information after the chat room sessions have been completed.

Chat Room Details:

All participants will be asked to participate in a conference call prior to the start of the on-line instruction. During that call, you will be introduced to your on-line mentor and briefed on procedures for the on-line chats. Technical requirements for the on-line chats are a computer with Internet access, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla or similar web browser and willingness to participate. You DO NOT need to be a computer “guru” to be able to participate effectively in the on-line portion of this workshop.

Dr. Hall’s book will be available for purchase at a discounted rate if interested, this is not included in your registration.

Chat Room Dates:

Weekly 1.5 hour chat rooms: (All times Eastern Daylight Time)

  • Week of January 25th “Conference Call”
  • Week of February 1st, 2010 Online
  • Week of February 8th, 2010 Online
  • Week of February 15th, 2010 Online
  • Week of February 22nd, 2010 Online
  • Week of March 1st, 2010 Online
  • Week of March 8th, 2010 Online
  • Week of March 15th, 2010 Online

(Additional chat rooms or times may be arranged, depending on the needs of the group)

On-line Exam

The on-line exam will be available on March 18th, 2010. Participants who are familiar with the material in the text and the readings and participated in the chats will have no difficulty passing this exam.

Technical Assistance

You will be provided with a link and telephone number to assist you with any computer related problems or questions. Your on-line mentor may be contacted for questions regarding workshop content or materials.

On-site Instruction

Four days of clinically-based presentations by Dr. James Hall, Mr. Shane Moodie, Dr. Diane Sabo, Dr. Randi Winston, Dr. Terry Foust, Dr. Karen Ditty, and others. Hands-on experience with the clinical equipment used for diagnostics and amplification selection for infants will be provided.

Dr. Hall will discuss:

  • Timely, appropriate diagnosis
  • Anatomy and physiology of the infant auditory system
  • Electrophysiological results in pediatric clients
  • Otoacoustic emissions in pediatric clients
  • ABR—click and frequency specific measures
  • Bone conduction measures
  • Use of sedation in infants

Mr. Moodie will discuss:

  • Evolution and application of the DSL method
  • The importance of RECD in infant fittings
  • The use of ABR data in the DSL method
  • Validation of hearing instrumentation
  • Variables to consider in fitting amplification

Dr. Sabo and Dr. Foust will discuss:

  • Behavioral assessment of children
  • Cochlear implants for infants and children
  • Assisting parents in the decision making process

Dr. Ditty and Dr. Winston will discuss

  • Report writing
  • Communication options
  • Early Intervention approaches
  • Data management and tracking
  • Working within the EHDI system

Hands-on Experience

Breakout hands-on sessions will afford you the opportunity to apply procedures discussed during the didactic sessions. Equipment and mentors will be available to help guide you. We anticipate having babies present for some of these experiences.

Practicum Experience:

Each participant will be asked to complete diagnostic evaluations for three infants using the protocols presented in the course, and to submit a written report for each of the three infants. Practicum mentors will read each report and provide helpful feedback. Participants and course mentors will work together to arrange a practicum situations that meet each participant’s individual needs.

Detailed itinerary and further information online at www.infanthearing.org upon registration for the class

There is no charge for the workshop for audiologists that live in Puerto Rico. If you are interested in attending the workshop, but do not live in puerto rico, please contact Pedro Tocuyo