Students enrolled in the doctor of audiology program at Missouri State University are exposed to a unique way of learning.
“Every class in the program allows our students to utilize our research labs to translate conceptual knowledge to hands-on experiences,” said Dr. Wafaa Kaf, professor at Missouri State.
“Our students must know how to evaluate, diagnose and interpret information for their patients. These labs allow them to practice before working in a clinic using evidence-based protocols and guidelines.”
Gaining practical experience
Audiology students have access to state-of-the-art facilities to apply the knowledge they are learning. They also develop the clinical and research foundations needed for a career in audiology.
Some of the focus areas of the research labs include:
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- Amplification research laboratory.
- Auditory electrophysiology laboratory.
- Vestibular laboratory.
- Diagnostic Laboratory: Middle ear, migraine, and tinnitus research
These labs are also a recruitment tool for Missouri State’s audiology program.
“We are very fortunate to have access to these labs,” said graduate student Alyson Morgan. “They allow us to understand not only how to use these different resources to integrate the learned information from classes and reading materials, why and how to apply them before seeing clients.”
Students also must complete a doctoral research thesis/project before graduating, so they apply their knowledge and clinical skills using different test protocols and equipment to conduct their own research on a topic of their interest in audiology.
Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic
Students in the doctor of audiology program also spend valuable time in the on-campus Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, starting in their first semester in the program.
The clinic provides evaluation and treatment for people of all ages in the areas of speech-language pathology and audiology. Additionally, they provide early intervention for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Here in our Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, graduate students participate in the testing and management of clients with hearing- and balance- problems as well as other communication disorders.