Since high school, Missouri State University Doctor of Audiology (AuD) student James Buechter has been set on pursuing a career in the audiology field.
He is now getting closer to fulfilling his calling of helping others hear the world better.
A personal connection
After graduating from high school, Buechter, a native of St. Louis, completed two years of community college. He transferred to Missouri State in 2020 to finish his undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders.
“I wanted to go somewhere with an AuD program and MSU made the transition to graduate school smooth,” he said.
It was also the most affordable option, especially important since there are few programs like this in the state.
Buechter’s lived experience with hearing aids and a cochlear implant has shaped how he views audiology. It helps him better connect with patients.
“The benefits of audiology in my life are tangible,” he said. “It’s easy for me to understand what the patients are going through.”
At Missouri State, he enjoys the small size of the audiology program. He feels fortunate to be part of a supportive cohort that has taught him empathy and strength in both clinical and personal settings.
Buechter got to observe audiology appointments as an undergraduate and build early connections with faculty. He expressed gratitude for the support he received from his professors and peers.
Buechter worked with different audiologists each semester and completed his clinical rotations in areas such as Columbia and Joplin, Missouri.
“That variety gave me the confidence I needed to go into an externship,” he said.
Learning in a deaf-centered environment
Buechter is currently completing his clinical externship at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). NTID is the first and largest technological college in the world for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
It is Buechter’s first time in a completely deaf environment.
“I didn’t grow up learning American Sign Language,” he said. “Here, deafness is seen as identity, not something medical.”
He has learned that patient goals in this setting are often different from what he is used to.
“The patient may or may not want to use hearing assistive technology,” he said. “His or her goals could focus on environmental awareness or music enjoyment but not include speech understanding.”
Besides helping with clinical services, Buechter is also learning through RIT campus life and conversations.
One of his most memorable moments was a campus tour with co-workers, where he learned about NTID’s rich history. Some staff included NTID alumni who spoke with pride about former President Lyndon Johnson’s role in establishing the school and his support for the Civil Rights Act.
One step at a time
Buechter knew graduate school would be tough, but he stayed focused. He earned his white coat in April.
He will graduate in spring 2026 and wants to continue his journey as a clinician.
“I want to start my career in a diverse patient population setting,” he said. “I also care about policy and want to help shape a health care system that supports both patients and providers.”
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