Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Date of Degree

6-2017

Document Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Au.D.

Program

Audiology

Advisor

Barbara Weinstein

Subject Categories

Education | Medicine and Health Sciences | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

The goal of this survey is to determine medical student knowledge regarding hearing loss, communication, audiology, treatment and diagnosis of age related hearing loss and the connection to health outcomes. A questionnaire was created, using Survey Monkey, to assess medical student knowledge of hearing loss, communication, audiology, treatment and diagnosis of age related hearing loss and the connection to health outcomes. The questions comprising the survey pertain to demographics, the profession of audiology, auditory system anatomy and physiology, hearing pathologies, and appropriate intervention and health outcomes associated with under-treatment of hearing loss. Questions were gathered from previous research studies attempting to gauge primary care physician knowledge attitudes towards age related hearing loss and its correlates in hopes to aid in the creation of an online module based curriculum for Medical schools. The survey was emailed to 41 medical students attending Medical Schools overseas and in the United States. Overall, the sample responded incorrectly to most of the questions in the survey demonstrated a general lack of knowledge regarding age related hearing loss and amplification. The only question areas in which participants tended to excel was in the medical and co-morbidities sections. The next best section pertained to treatment options where the majority (60%) responded correctly. The minority of the remaining sections (age-related hearing loss (ARHL), epidemiology, demographics) received mainly incorrect responses underscoring the need to educate medical students in these areas. A curriculum was developed based on survey questions where the majority of the participants responded incorrectly. It is anticipated that the proposed curriculum will help future physicians understand the impacts of untreated age related hearing loss and the benefits of hearing aids. Ultimately, it will help optimize patient centered care within the geriatric population.

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