Communique | October 25, 2021

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USF College of Behavioral & Community Sciences	October 24 - 30, 2021

Doctorate of Audiology Students Honored at White Coat Ceremony

Friday morning, the Doctorate of Audiology classes of 2023 and 2024 received their white coats. The White Coat Ceremony serves as a rite of passage for medical students, marking their transition into clinical healthcare practice. During the ceremony, students were recognized for their accomplishments and hard work. Two audiology students, Jessica Combs and Lindsay Kummerer, received alumni scholarships for their outstanding academic and clinical success. Thank you to alumni Dr. Bettina Tucker for presenting these scholarships and to Dr. Victoria Sanchez for serving as guest speaker. Congratulations, Class of 2023 and Class of 2024!

photos of white coat ceremony class of 2023 and 2024

photos of white coat ceremony class of 2023 and 2024

Poinsettia Fundraiser to Benefit Audiology Students

Spruce up your home or office for the holiday season with some gorgeous poinsettias! The Tampa Breakfast Sertoma Club is hosting their annual poinsettias fundraiser event to support local Tampa Bay area charities. Some proceeds will help fund the John Tragon III Memorial Scholarship for Audiology graduate students at USF. Click here to browse the variety of sizes being offered and place an order.

Link: https://tampabreakfastsertoma.square.site/
Image: Red Maple Leaves in Tilt Shift Lens · Free Stock Photo (pexels.com)

Research Roundup

Areana Cruz (CFS)
Improved Understanding of Medical and Psychology Needs (IMAP) in Veterans and Service Members with Chronic TBI
Sponsor: Tampa VA Research and Education Foundation
9/17/2021-12/16/2021
Amount: $7,025

Researchers from the James A. Haley Veteran's Hospital and Clinics and the University of South Florida will be conducting a qualitative study to assess the perspectives of stakeholders regarding access to rehabilitation and healthcare services post Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The goal of this project is to understand the service needs of Veterans and Service Members with TBI.

Joseph Walton (CSD)
Effect of Inner Hair Cell Loss and Afferent Damage on Functional Hearing
Sponsor: The University of Texas at Dallas
9/17/2021-11/30/2022

This project will characterize the effects of a type of drug-induced hidden hearing loss on the auditory receptors and nerve fibers of the inner ear. Hidden hearing loss occurs from exposure to loud noise where there is minimal effects on hearing sensitivity yet listeners report difficulty understanding speech in adverse conditions, such as background noise. Threshold testing at frequencies essential for speech understanding is the most common and universally accepted metric for hearing health. However, it is becoming clear from animal studies that there can be significant inner ear damage that is undetected by threshold measures and among hearing-impaired individuals. These findings have generated tremendous interest in "hidden hearing loss" characterized by inner ear damage that is undetected by threshold measures. There is now speculation that loss of afferent synapses may underlie hearing-in-noise deficits, hyperacusis, and tinnitus. Establishing the relationship between specific patterns of cochlear damage, such as loss of inner hair cells (IHC) or synapses, and the corresponding functional deficits undetected by threshold testing are critical in understanding risk factors, early detection, and intervention for early onset or undetected hearing loss. The aims of this proposal are to investigate the relationship between specific patterns of cochlear damage and their corresponding physiological and perceptual deficits using models of selective loss of inner hair cells and afferent synapses in the chinchilla.

Nan Sook Park (SW)
Oral Health Education and Navigation Program for Older Immigrants with Limited English Proficiency
Sponsor: University of Southern California [National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research]
8/17/2021-7/31/2023
Amount: $25,274

Limited English proficiency (LEP) poses a critical risk to older immigrants' oral health and dental care. The goal of this study is to promote older LEP immigrants' use of preventive dental services through oral health education and navigation program. The study is based on four premises: (1) oral health knowledge and healthcare navigation skills are critical imperatives in reducing oral health disparities in LEP populations, (2) bilingual and bicultural community health worker (CHW) participation is critical in reaching out to older LEP immigrants, (3) language diversities in LEP populations and different personal needs should be considered to personalize the intervention, and (4) the combination of "human touch" (CHWs) and "digital touch" (technology) will be pilot tested to evaluate feasibility and acceptability. Thus the program combines oral health education and navigation assistance program, which is personalized by a computerized tailoring system and delivered by CHWs. The long-term goal of the program is to promote both proximal (oral health knowledge and self-efficacy) and distal (use of preventive dental services) outcomes.

marriage and family therapy information session, october 27 2021 12 noon until 1 pm

listen up it's national audiology awareness month

Audiology Awareness focuses on promoting public awareness of the importance of good hearing and balance health for all ages. The National Institutes of Health's National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders states that approximately 28.8 million Americans could benefit from the use of hearing aids. While age is often cited as a factor, there are growing numbers of younger people reporting hearing difficulties. There is also a link between untreated hearing loss and falls. According to a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, an increase in hearing loss in an individual, for instance going from normal hearing to an untreated mild hearing loss, is associated with a 3-fold increase in fall risk.

To promote hearing and balance healthcare in accordance with Audiology Awareness, USF Hearing Clinic (located within the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders) will be offering hearing and balance screenings to ALL USF faculty, students, and staff during the month of October. Screenings will take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am - 12:00 pm and from 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm in the PCD Building. Anyone interested in participating in a hearing and balance screening should contact the USF Hearing Clinic at hearingclinic@usf.edu for further details. Audiologists and Audiology students will be conducting the screenings and following CDC guidelines for COVID prevention.

Happy Hearing and Balance to all USF Bulls!

Hearing Clinic (email: hearingclinic@usf.edu, Phone: 974-8804)
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

rmhc information session, november 3 2021 12 noon to 1 pm

kathryn hyer celebration of life and scholarship fundraiser

We would like to invite you to join us in celebration of Dr. Kathy Hyer's life and work. Kathy's family, friends, and colleagues will gather on Nov. 7 at the atrium on the 7th floor of the Interdisciplinary Sciences Building on the campus of the University of South Florida in Tampa. Parking will be provided.

During her time at USF, Dr. Hyer devoted herself to education, research and policy to improve long-term care. To honor her work and tireless service, friends and colleagues at the USF School of Aging Studies have established a scholarship in her name. The scholarship will support students in their own pursuit of education in long-term care policy to continue Kathy's legacy. If you would like to help in this effort, you may give online to the Kathryn Hyer Memorial Scholarship in Public Policy and Aging (530072)

If you are unable to attend but wish to send a photo or two with a few words, please contact Lindsay Peterson, ljpeterson@usf.edu.

kali thomas lecture november 8, 2021 10:30am sponsored by school of aging studies

childresn's mental health graduate certificate

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New Publications

Galea, J. T., Marhefka, S., León, S. R., Rahill, G., Cyrus, E., Sánchez, H., Zhang, Z., & Brown, B. (2021). High levels of mild to moderate depression among men who have sex with men and transgender women in Lima, Peru: Implications for integrated depression and HIV CARE. AIDS Care, 1–6. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2021.1991877

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