Purpose: To describe the student training benefits for speech-language pathology graduate students involved in an interdisciplinary, community-based intervention program at a Midwestern university for families of preschool children who were deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) and auditory-based spoken language users. Method: The Auditory and Language Enriched Program was developed to provide graduate students with a clinically relevant service learning opportunity that also met some unique community needs of families in the community. Specifically, students learned to provide families with imaginative ways to expose their children who were DHH to language and literacy and nurture their natural curiosity and zest for learning. Results: Statistically significant improvement was noted between pre- and postintervention questionnaires of knowledge and skill related to intervention for this population by a single group of students. Conclusions: An interdisciplinary service learning approach to intervention might provide opportunities for university graduate programs to address the immediate and long-term needs of families who have chosen a spoken language outcome for their young children who are DHH while simultaneously providing invaluable experience with low-incidence populations for their preservice graduate students.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the current health status of adults in the United States with self-reported hearing loss and compare it with US adults with a self-reported excellent or good hearing in three areas: (1) chronic disease states and general health status, (2) medical screening behaviors, and (3) lifestyle behaviors. Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2014 data set from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), specifically the Sample Adult Public Use File (samadult). For this questionnaire set, one adult per family was randomly selected. This individual self-reported their response to the questionnaire items. Binary regressions were used to analyze the odds ratio to find differences for selected disease states, screenings, and lifestyle behaviors. Respondents were grouped into one of four categories: excellent/good hearing, a little trouble hearing, moderate/a lot of trouble hearing, and deaf. Results: The excellent/good hearing group was used as the comparison group for the other three levels of hearing. There are many differences in likelihood to self-report disease states; the greatest increased likelihoods include tinnitus and heart disease, with tinnitus being 8.6 times more likely for those who identified as having moderate/a lot of hearing loss. Those with any level of hearing loss were 3 to 5 times more likely to self-report heart disease. Regarding lifestyle factors, individuals with any level of hearing loss were less likely to consume alcohol and 2.5 to 9 times more likely to be unable to engage in moderate or vigorous activity on a weekly basis, respectively. Conclusions: There is a difference in the health status of individuals with hearing loss across all three areas examined (chronic disease states and general health status, medical screening behaviors, and lifestyle behaviors), and those differences vary based on level of hearing loss, the most notable being the self-reported inability to engage in moderate and vigorous physical activity. Disproportionate rates of tinnitus and heart disease were evident in all levels of hearing loss but most notable in those identifying as having moderate/a lot of trouble hearing. Further interdisciplinary research is necessary to improve the health of individuals with all levels of hearing loss, increase awareness of the hearing/health connection, and decrease hearing loss in general.

Background:Albeit limited, research suggests that students pursuing careers in health care receive limited training on the provision of services for people with hearing loss. As the incidence of hearing loss continues to increase among Americans, it is critical that medical professionals understand how hearing loss among patients may affect the manner in which they can provide services most effectively.Purpose:The aim of this project is to assess the amount of experience and confidence that preprofessional health-care students at one university obtain during the course of their training and whether these students would be interested in additional information related to hearing health.Research Design:Preprofessional health-care students in terminal degree programs at one university completed a survey regarding the provision of services for individuals with hearing loss. Students were asked to quantify their prior training on topics related to hearing loss, report their perceptions of the benefits and barriers to screening hearing, and report their self-efficacy in providing services for individuals with hearing loss. Additional survey items investigated students’ interest in receiving further training on these topics.Study Sample:Participants (n = 95; 16.2% response rate) were students at a mid-sized, Midwestern university who were pursuing the following terminal degrees: medicine, physician assistant, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and respiratory therapy (bachelor’s degree in respiratory care). Participants were selected based on membership in an interdisciplinary education training program. All students in this program received an invitation to participate in the study. Of the participants, 68 (71.6%) were Caucasian and 86 (90.5%) were female.Data Collection and Analysis:A 28-item online survey on various topics related to hearing loss was used to document student responses. All students enrolled in a university’s interdisciplinary professional education course (n = 586) received an online link to the survey via an initial email, which contained a brief introduction to the study, the assurance of response anonymity, and a statement regarding implied consent. A second email was sent to students, which reminded participants of the request to complete the survey.Results:Overall, 60% of participants reported an interest in receiving additional information on hearing health and 66.3% of respondents indicated that they wished to receive training via an in-service or internet workshop facilitated by their university program. Most of the participants reported that they had not received training and did not feel confident identifying the signs and symptoms of hearing loss and making an appropriate referral, which led to the request for additional information.Conclusions:The results of this study suggest that preprofessional health-care students have an interest in receiving additional education on various topics related to hearing loss including a better understanding of how hearing loss impacts the quality of life in affected individuals. These findings provide an incentive to provide additional training related to hearing loss identification and management for preprofessional health-care students to foster increased competency and improved patient care.

Purpose: The primary aim of this preliminary study was to examine the potential advantages and disadvantages of using ChatGPT-3.5 (free version) to obtain information pertaining to the discipline of communication sciences and disorders (CSD). Method: Nine university-based CSD researchers with expertise in different topic areas created questions of varying complexity (basic, advanced, evidence-based practice [EBP], and general CSD) to ask ChatGPT and then rated the software's responses for accuracy (6-point Likert scale) and completeness (3-point Likert scale). Results: Across all questions ( n = 162), the median accuracy was 5 (nearly all correct), with an M of 5.01. Regarding completeness, the median was 3 (comprehensive), and the mean was 2.41. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in composite ratings (accuracy and completeness combined) between responses to basic, advanced, and EBP questions; however, responses to general CSD questions received significantly higher composite ratings than responses to basic, advanced, and EBP questions. Despite strong performance of ChatGPT on average, the distribution of accuracy and completeness ratings showed that more than half of ChatGPT's responses were rated as not fully accurate, only 45.68% of the responses received a rating of 6 (correct). On completeness ratings, only 54.32% of responses received a rating of 3 (comprehensive). Conclusions: Our results indicate that ChatGPT can quickly provide answers and often generate responses that experts judge as accurate. However, clinicians cannot depend on ChatGPT for accurate and complete responses, especially for complex clinical questions. Using ChatGPT for clinical decision making may be particularly risky for inexperienced or student clinicians, who may have difficulty spotting inaccuracies. Supplemental Material: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.29565167

Purpose: Although commonly perceived as an acceptable and normal part of aging, unaddressed or inadequately managed hearing loss (UIMHL) is an economically and socially recognized cause of human disability and morbidity. It creates a global burden that negatively affects individuals and nations, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries and vulnerable populations. Immediate- and long-term health, social, and economic consequences include psychosocial problems, deterioration of cognitive function, loss of productivity, and poor well-being. Despite a growing body of evidence that interventions can ameliorate these concerns, fewer than 80% receive them. Access to services, perceived costs, and stigma are commonly blamed to avoid intervention. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness and highlight solutions to reduce the impact of UIMHL on a particularly vulnerable population: the Palestinian people living in refugee camps. Method: This article discusses the approach of a humanitarian organization that aims to improve service uptake, reduce detrimental impacts, and address the ethical implications of improving outcomes for those with UIMHL. Conclusions: Hearing and auditory wellness are key factors in improving the quality of life and health of vulnerable populations. When international humanitarian organizations aim to improve the outcomes of those with UIMHL, their services must be culturally sensitive and fully consider the vulnerabilities and needs of the population. Furthermore, they must promote outreach and education in partnership with local practitioners for their work to continue beyond a one-time visit. The use of social accompaniment to empower local stakeholders and expand service delivery is also discussed.