Special Olympics
Dr. Ruth Bentler is the State Coordinator for the Healthy Hearing Initiative of Special Olympics. In addition, she is on the international team for Special Olympics International. At left is a picture from the World Games in Dublin, Ireland. Over 2000 athletes from around the world were screened (otoscopy, hearing, OAEs, tympanograms) and any appropriate referrals made for their coaches to take back to their local communities. The National Games were held in Ames, Iowa from June 30-July 7, 2006 with over 3000 athletes attending, along with approximately 9000 coaches, delegates and family members. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists (and students) were responsible for the hearing screening as well as otoscopy, OAEs, tympanometry, and hearing aid checks throughout the week. Each spring the Mid-winter State Games are held in March in Iowa City. Volunteers are always welcome!
Independent
Hearing Aid Fitting Forum (IHAFF) 
The IHAFF group consists of researchers, practitioners, and industry-affiliated
audiologists. They met for the first time in 1993 and have been actively involved
in providing guidance and data for the process of hearing aid evaluation and
fitting. The overall goal is to center current activities on promoting evidence-based
evaluation and practice. Besides Dr. Bentler, other members of this group
include: Robyn Cox, Dave Fabry, Alison Grimes, David Hawkins, Gail Gudmunson,
Mead Killion, Gus Mueller, Catherine Palmer, Larry Revitt, Robert Sweetow,
Margo Skinner, Mike Valente, and Dennis VanVliet. Current activities involve
the creation of an educational video, research efforts to provide data for
rehabilitation effectiveness, and other educational outreach endeavors.
Winterim
in China
The University of Iowa Audiology in China study abroad program provides an
opportunity for students in the field of speech and hearing to observe and
participate in the emergence of the field in China. Based on 1995 census figures,
there are approximately 26 million people in China with some degree of hearing
loss. Of this number, 1.8 million are children. Serving that population are
fewer than 25 audiologists (compared to over 6000 in the US). A partnership
between Dalhousie University and West China University of Medical Sciences
has been established to provide audiology training in China. Students from
the University of Iowa have traveled with Dr. Bentler in order to study alongside
the Chinese students enrolled in the program.
China PROJECT
Staff and students travel to China each May to provide screening, training,
and supplies to various orphanages. In 2005, the group visited the Nanchang
Orphanage from five days to screen approximately 100 children using tympanometry,
otoacoustic emissions, and hearing testing. These children included residents
of the nursery and dormitories as well as a large number of foster children
who were brought to the orphanage by the foster parents. Several sets of hearing
aids were fitted (including one bone-conduction unit). The staffs, as well
as involved foster parents, were trained in the use and care of the hearing
aids. Two members of the group flew to Chengdu to meet with two ENT/Audiologists
to discuss the possibility of supporting training for an aural rehabilitation
facility for deaf and heard-of-hearing children in the Sichuan Province. The
China Project is supported by donations from the Lion’s Club International,
various manufacturers (Starkey, Oticon, Cochlear, Westone) private donations,
and Dr. Bentler’s lab. The trip is held each May. Students and faculty participate.
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Amplification update
An amplification update is held each year as a continuing education opportunity
for the community. In 2005, Todd Ricketts (Vanderbilt University), Steve Thompson
(Knowles Electronics), and Kathy Beauchaine (Boystown National Research Hospital) shared their expertise. In 2004, Robyn Cox (University of Memphis) and David Hawkins (May Clinic-Jacksonville) spoke on Outcome Measures and Aural Rebal options. In 2006, David Hawkins returned for a day of teaching. In addition, he presented a delightful “What I learned…” at ProSeminar. In October of 2007, Robert Sweetow (UC-San Francisco) will participate in the Iowa Speech and Hearing Association fall meeting and speak to students within the department.