Virtual Audiology Learning Experience

Going into her last semester at Temple University, Lexi Moyer is on the fence about the direction in which she wants her career to go: Does she want to be an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist? 

She plans to take some time off after graduating with a degree in Speech-Language Hearing Science in the spring of 2021 to explore the possibilities. But that doesn’t mean she won’t still be gathering as much information as she can along the way about both professions in order to find her best fit. 

To that end, Moyer was one of 15 attendees accepted to Salus University’s Audiology Learning Experience (ALE), held in December 2020, the purpose of which is to expand awareness with undergraduate students about the audiology profession and the Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program at the University’s Osborne College of Audiology (OCA).

In the one-day program, typically held each summer but delayed because of the pandemic, participants meet with Audiology faculty members for a panel discussion; observe clinical skills demonstrations in the programs’ clinical labs; sit in on a class; and learn about the University’s admissions process and career trajectories for those who earn an AuD degree. They also tour the University and the Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI), the OCA’s clinical teaching facility.

But for the first time in the program’s history, the 2020 event was held virtually. Nevertheless, that didn’t take anything away from what the students received. 

“It was a day filled with interactive activities with current students, OCA faculty and advisory board members. A major part of the event also included meeting the admissions staff and understanding the admissions process,” said Radhika Aravamudhan, PhD, CCC-A, FAAA, dean of OCA. “Attendees enjoy the interaction with the faculty panel along with the tour of the campus, OCA clinical skills labs and the clinic. This year, since the event was virtual, current students conducted a live narrated tour with the lab and campus videos.” 

According to Dr. Aravamudhan, holding the event virtually also brought some unique advantages for the students that they don’t usually get in a face-to-face event: ALE participants were able to virtually engage with OCA advisory board members — something not easily available in a face-to-face event with travel requirements. This facilitated new ideas and engagement. Attendance increased from the usual eight to 10 Northeast prospective students to include 15, including some students from the West Coast, because of the virtual nature of the event. 

As a first-time participant, Moyer, of Boyerstown, Pennsylvania, agreed the virtual ALE was as helpful and informative as a face-to-face experience. 

“The ALE had a lot of features that I wanted, a lot more about the audiology experience. That was super helpful,” she said. “There was also a segment on what to look for when you’re going into the school and the areas of focus that you want to consider. That was really cool.” 

Moyer said the only drawback for her was using an online platform to tour the school. 

“I plan to apply to Salus regardless of whether I decide to go into SLP or Audiology,” she said. “I had previously learned some stuff from the SLP department as well. They all are awesome people so Salus is definitely on my list. It offers great programs and it seems like a great school that’s in a perfect location and has what I want.”

In order to be considered for the ALE program, students are required to complete an application, write a short essay and submit transcripts.

“Even though we missed the face-to-face interactions, ALE attendees were very happy with the event,” said Dr. Aravamudhan. “We plan to offer both virtual and face-to-face events going forward to encourage attendance.”

Note: Some of the photos accompanying this story were taken from past pre-pandemic ALE events.