Horizons Fall 2014

11 HORIZONS “But in others, it gets turned up, and that’s what has to be treated,” said Friedland. Here is where NSU’s audiology department also can boast that it is on the cutting edge. Sarah Wakefield, Au.D., is trained in tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), which “when properly administered, can be a life-changer,” said Friedland. She added that Wakefield, who joined the staff two- and-a-half years ago, “has the knowledge, training, and patience—and proven results.” Wakefield was schooled by a major figure in the field, Pawel Jastreboff at Emory University in Atlanta. Tinnitus retraining therapy provides educational counseling to reduce not only physical symptoms, but also anxiety and stress surrounding tinnitus. It also involves sound therapy and new technology, including apps that provide soothing ambient noise that can help the patient become less bothered by the tinnitus. Waves of the ocean gently splashing on a beach, a babbling brook, a variety of music, or even the sound of an overhead fan have been shown to provide relief. As with other departments at NSU, audiology students come from around the world, including China, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Canada, and the Bahamas, among other regions. Cordova’s trip to Nicaragua was one of many outreach programs launched by the school. In addition to working with local migrant workers and their families, students have participated in trips to Trinidad, Guatemala, and the British Virgin Islands. The Department of Audiology also has a branch institute in England where students with master’s degrees from the United Kingdom can earn a doctoral degree in audiology. When fourth-year student Rauh first proposed her service project in Nicaragua, it was to the NSU Student Academy of Audiology, a professional organization. The members were all hands in, and then came NSU itself and corporate sponsor Phonak, which donated the hear- ing aids. The group provided children ages 1 to 14 with hearing exams, and then fitted them with the aids. Those devices, by the way, can be adjusted remotely from NSU— there’s that technology word again. Now in her externship, Rauh currently serves in a Hollywood clinic. Cordova can’t wait to dive into her clinical work. Her third year will be rotated among three clinics in South Florida, and her fourth, like Rauh’s, will be a full year at one institution. Those can either be community outlets, like the VA, or even at the practice of local alumni. Cordova’s future goals? “It is still too soon to make that final decision, but I have grown fond of the vestibular and balance part of our field. I hope in the future to work in a clinical setting that specializes in tests and treatments in this area,” said Cordova. So, what about this study that says audiology is the least stressful profession? “Funny you brought that up,” said Gaffney. “A lot of audiologists were upset by that.” She added that, if it is less stressful, one reason could be that the work is very rewarding. Another, she said, is something a lot of people can appreciate. “There are no lack of jobs when the students graduate. That’s also less stressful!” n Graduate students Brooke Michaels and Siran Liu test a patient for dizziness and balance problems utilizing the rotary chair, the only one in Broward County.