Department of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Deaf Studies

News

Oticon International Audiology Summer Camp

Melanie King (AuD Class of 2010) was one of four students from the United States invited to the Oticon International Audiology Summer Camp at the Eriksholm Audiology Research Centre in Helsinger, Denmark from August 27-31, 2008. This audiology camp, which has been held on a regular basis since 1997, provides the opportunity for learning and professional camaraderie with students from around the world. The program focuses on many of the most current and intriguing aspects of hearing loss and treatment approaches. Melanie's work as a research assistant with Dr. Brian Kreisman in the Center for Amplification, Rehabilitation and Listening has been sponsored by a grant from Oticon for the past year.

2008 American Academy of Audiology

Towson University undergraduates and Audiology doctoral students were well represented at the 2008 American Academy of Audiology Convention held in Charlotte, North Carolina from April 10-12, 2008.

• Melina Ecos (TU Class of 2008) presented a paper with her faculty advisor, Dr. Brian Kreisman, entitled "Spatial Resolution: Effects of Stimuli Angle on CRM Scores". She also presented at the NCUR 2008 Convention and the Towson University Student Research and Scholarship Expo.

• Trisha Bents (TU Class of 2008) presented a paper with her faculty advisor, Dr. Brian Kreisman, entitled "SQuaRE: Music Quality Ratings on an Interdisciplinary Scale". She was one of seven Towson University undergraduates to attend the convention.

• Jamie Weiner (Au.D. Class of 2008) presented a paper with her faculty mentor, Dr. Brian Kreisman, and Dr. Brian Fligor (Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School; Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement, Children's Hospital Boston) entitled "MP3 Players: Auditory Risk When the Music can be Overheard".

• Melanie King (AuD Class of 2010) presented a paper with her her faculty mentor, Dr. Brian Kreisman, entitled "Pilot Investigation of a Binaural Broadband Hearing System".

Alumni Association Community Grant

Dr. Judy Blackburn was awarded a Towson University Alumni Association Community Grant for her work with the House of Ruth Domestic Violence Shelter. Dr. Blackburn established a clinical practicum program for graduate students who provide weekly reading instruction to children living at the shelter. Graduate students work with the children using research-based techniques to improve language and reading abilities. The reading project provides children the opportunity to develop essential reading skills that are critical for academic achievement. The project also provides a structure for consistent reading practice, as well as one-on-one attention to address individual reading problems. In addition, the program includes art projects and story telling that offer children the opportunity to deal with their own experiences. The grant will fund books for the children so they can work on reading skills between instructional sessions.

Towson Undergraduate Selected for ASHA Minority Leadership Program

Tiffany Taliaferro was one of five undergraduates selected to participate in the 2007 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (ASHA) Minority Student Leadership Program. This annual program selects promising minority students from across the country and brings them to the annual ASHA Conference for intensive training and mentoring. Most participants are graduate students, relatively few undergraduate students are selected. Ms. Taliaferro's selection was a reflection of her strong academic abilities and leadership potential.

AuD Student Receives Starkey Scholarship

On August 10th, 2007, Towson University Audiology doctoral student Laura Toll was awarded one of ten $1,000 "Outstanding Student Clinician" scholarships from Starkey Labs.  Ms. Toll is a third year student in the program. 

American Academy of Audiology Jerger Award

Audiology doctoral student Cynthia DeMots won the Jerger Award for best student research poster session at the 2007 American Academy of Audiology Conference in Denver Colorado.  Her poster titled "Effects of Auditory Toughening in Rats" was co-authored with Dr. Margaret Jastreboff and fellow student Jamie Moran.  The poster was selected from over 200 entries. 

Audiology Foundation of America Scholarship

Mary Carson, Towon University Au.D. student, was awarded one of two national AFA scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to "the best and brightest" second year Audiology graduate students in the country.

Commencement May 2007

Kelly Wingate, B.S. SPPA and Shana Fogarty, M.S. SLP were selected as undergraduate and graduate Commencement Speakers for the College of Health Professions May 2007 ceremony. This was the first time both speakers were chosen from the same department.

JSLHR Article

Dr. Sharon Glennen's international adoption research article, titled "Predicting Language Outcomes for Internationally Adopted Children" was published in the April 2007 issue of the Journal of Speech-Language-Hearing Research.

Oticon Research Grant Awarded

Dr. Brian Kreisman received over $40,000 in grants this year from Oticon Hearing Aid Corporation to support his research programs. Dr. Kreisman is evaluating new hearing aid technologies for the company.

ASHA Legislative Council

Ms. Iona Johnson was elected one of three state representatives to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Legislative Council. This national council oversees all decisions of the professional organization.

American Academy of Audiology Publications Board

Dr. Brian Kreisman was named to the publications board of AAA. This national group publishes Audiology Today and the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology.

National Parkinson Foundation Training Project

Dr. Celia Bassich has been part of the Allied Health Team Training Project for the National Parkinson Foundation. As part of her work she traveled to Florida and Hawaii to train professionals in the latest methods of assessing and treating individuals with Parkinsons.

Department of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Deaf Studies
Van Bokkelen Hall, Room 105
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Phone: 410-704-4153
Fax: 410-704-4131
E-mail: kglorioso@towson.edu