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Thahira Kallumurikkal ‘22AUD was an audiologist in India for 14 years, but decided she wanted to upgrade her skills. That’s why she decided to enter the MSc in Clinical Audiology program in Salus University’s Osborne College of Audiology (OCA).
As part of the program, Kallumurikkal had the opportunity to attend the College’s Cochlear Implant Workshop from Nov. 2-5 at the University’s Elkins Park, Pennsylvania campus, an experience she found quite useful.
“Since I started in audiology, I’ve needed to upgrade my knowledge because the technology is improving,” said Kallumurikkal. “That’s the main reason I chose Salus University and this workshop . . . to upgrade.”
In regards to the valuable information being taught at the workshop, the experience was much the same for Deema Ikbarieh ‘22AUD, who moved from Dubai to Canada to pursue her audiology career.
“In Canada, you need a lot of clinical skills, and that’s where I’ve found this workshop useful,” said Ikbarieh. “Not every audiologist can do cochlear implants. This is an opportunity for me to gain that knowledge and practice it.”
In addition to Kallumurikkal and Ikbarieh, four other Salus master’s students — Luz Figueroa, Smarty Merin, Ayida Al Bulushi and Samia Bennis, all ‘22AUD — participated in the weeklong continuing education instruction.
In addition to didactic portions of the workshop, the students also were able to practice hands-on lab work. Instructors for the workshop included James W. Hall III, PhD, professor of Audiology in the Residential and Distance programs at OCA; and Sara Neumann, AuD, CCC-A, manager of Audiology Research at Hearts for Hearing in Oklahoma City.
“I love the idea of this master’s program at Salus for students that don’t have access to this kind of training in their countries,” said Dr. Neumann, who was making her first visit to Salus. “My job here this week is to teach them how to do the hands-on portion. We’re taking the theoretical knowledge and teaching the students practical applications and then practicing how to do it with simulations.”
Dr. Neumann added cochlear implants are different for adults and children because adults can rely on information and communicate what they’re experiencing to the audiologist better than children can. And, the students need to be aware of the differences.
“So, we’re getting a chance to practice that and then apply all the information with case studies and considering what is the best practice for helping these patients who need cochlear implants,” she said.
Dr. Neumann, who found the students to be “engaged and super-eager to learn,” believes the workshop experience added to the master’s program is going to turn these students into great clinicians.
“They want to take it all in and soak it all up. They ask great questions. They’re really considerate of how they’re helping their patients,” she said. “In fact, they’re going to be the best providers possible because they’re learning and then learning to apply the principles and techniques. It’s just a fabulous way for people in other countries to get the services they need.”
