I had the pleasure of attending the Interacoustics Academy’s virtual course at the end of May. As a trainee in a paediatric department, I often find I am struggling with the shedload of information in this niche field of audiology and I was delighted to have the opportunity for some further learning.
The first day of the course was delivered by Amanda Goodhew, International Clinical Trainer, and focused on conductive hearing losses, starting with how to diagnose such a condition. I was impressed not only by her expertise, but also the clarity with which she delivered complex information. Later in this session, we watched an interview with Nicola Guderley from Great Ormond Street Hospital, a specialist in bone-conducting hearing implants (BCHIs). We even got some first-hand experience from Jack Bennett, who has a conductive hearing loss himself.
Bennett, International Clinical Trainer, then hosted the second day of the course, focusing on mild-to-moderate hearing losses. Here, we were given some experience in using auditory steady-state response (ASSR) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing to diagnose these hearing losses, and Jack worked with us on some practical examples. We also heard again from Amanda Goodhew, as she demonstrated hearing-aid verification; and Lisa Bull, an Educational Audiologist with the Berkshire Sensory Consortium Service, who discussed her experience working with patients and their families.
The final day of the course was held by Leigh Martin, Interacoustics Academy Manager, and focused on severe-to-profound hearing losses. Leigh firstly worked through another set of practical examples with us, slowly following the process of ABR testing using a case study. The opportunity to work together as each aspect of the case was given to us was invaluable. We also watched an interview with Herra Bhutta from Great Ormond Street’s Implant Centre, who discussed the key aspects of the implant process with her patients and gave advice for those making referrals. Leigh even said himself that Herra’s information was “something I wish I’d been told at the start of my career”.
The team began each virtual session with a few technical support pointers, based on any issues that had been flagged. As a participant, I felt I was being valued every step of the way, and any feedback was immediately applied. Each day of the course linked seamlessly to the next, and the content and advice was information I will certainly use in my career.
Future meeting details: Getting Started: Hearing Instrument Test (HIT) eWorkshop, 28 June 2022
Rachael Allan, Apprentice Graduate Audiologist, Children and Young People’s Audiology Centre, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK
