This seminar is designed for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, teachers of the deaf, parents of children with hearing impairment, and all others who are working with young children with or without hearing loss. Technological advances have allowed scientists to peer into the mysterious “black box” of the brain. As a result, new information has catapulted the role of brain neuroplasticity to the front of the line in early intervention and education programs. Utilizing a research-to-practice paradigm, this session will summarize current research on brain development as related to spoken communication and literacy outcomes. Then, a rationale for early brain access and stimulation will be constructed. Current listening and speaking outcomes created by modern amplification technology will be highlighted along with strategies for obtaining those outcomes. The exciting news is that strategic intervention that capitalizes on brain neuroplasticity allows for spoken language and literacy outcomes never before imagined. Registration: 80 person limit. Cost is $30 for Methodist Le Bonheur employees, $40 for professionals other than Methodist Le Bonheur employees, and $10 for students. Parents of children with hearing loss should register, but can attend at no charge for the conference. (Box lunch charge is separate.)
7:30 to 8:00 am Registration – Includes coffee, tea, baked goods
8:00 to 9:30 am Dr. Carol Flexer: Making the connection between hearing loss, auditory neural deprivation, and the use of hearing technologies
9:30 to 9:40 am Break – Includes coffee, tea, and soft drinks
9:40 to 10:10 am Dr. Tony Sheyn: Underlying medical causes of congenital hearing loss. Genetics/syndromes/neurodevelopmental breakdown.
10:10 to 10:55 am Dr. Flexer: The Audiologist’s role in promoting literacy and music
10:55 to 11:05 am Break – Includes coffee, tea and soft drinks
11:05 to 12:05 pm Dr. Bruce MacDonald, Dr. Jennifer Bidelman & Dr. Angela Vandoli: The Le Bonheur Experience – Cochlear Implantation
12:05 to 1:00 pm Lunch Break – Box lunches available for $10.00 with advance order. (Order box lunch on registration website.)
1:00 to 2:00 pm Dr. Flexer: Acoustic accessibility: Managing the environment through the use of remote microphone technology
2:00 to 2:10 pm Break – Includes ice tea, water, cookies
2:10 to 3:40 pm Dr. Flexer: Practical tips for professionals and parents: How to grow the child’s brain for listening, talking, reading, learning and making friends.
3:40 to 3:45 pm Break – Includes ice tea, water, cookies
3:45 to 4:30 pm Dr. Flexer, Dr. MacDonald, Dr. Sheyn, Dr. Bidelman, Dr. Vandoli: Panel discussion and Q&A
Learner Outcomes
At the conclusion of the program, attendees will be able to:
1. Describe the changed context of hearing loss that has occurred as a result of newborn hearing screening, application of hearing aid/cochlear implant technology, and new neurological research findings.
2. Explain the neurodevelopmental and neuroplastic foundation for attaining high levels of listening and spoken language competence.
3. Explain why a child’s auditory brain development can have a surprising effect on how he or she develops reading and writing skills.
4. Distinguish “attaining” and “sustaining” desired outcomes.
5. Detail 2016 strategies for facilitation listening, language and literacy development of infants and children with all degrees of hearing loss.
Presenter Bios:
• Carol Flexer, PhD, CCC-A, LSLS Cert. AVT Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Audiology | The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio Dr. Flexer is an international lecturer in pediatric and educational audiology and author of more than 155 publications. Dr. Flexer is a past president of the Educational Audiology Association, the American Academy of Audiology, and the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language. For her research and advocacy for children with hearing loss, Dr. Flexer has received four prestigious awards; two from The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing --- the Volta Award and Professional of the Year Award, one from the American Academy of Audiology --- the 2012 Distinguished Achievement Award, and one from Kent State University --- the EHHS Hall of Fame Distinguished Alumni Award, 2015. Dr. Flexer has no relevant financial or non-financial relationships to disclose.
• Bruce MacDonald, M.D. Associate Professor of Otolaryngology | University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN Dr. MacDonald is a Board Certified Otolaryngologist with fellowship training in neurotology in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at University of Pittsburgh. Dr. MacDonald’s professional experience includes Neurotologist at Boston University School of Medical and affiliated hospitals where he practiced all aspects of adult and pediatric Otolaryngology and Director of the Boston Medical Center Hearing and Balance Program prior to moving to Memphis in 1999. Dr. MacDonald is currently Neurotologist and Associate Professor with University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center which involves Neurotology and Otology practice in ambulatory and hospital setting including all aspects of subspecialty medical and surgical practice including Pediatric Otolaryngology. Dr. MacDonald is a faculty member of the University of Tennessee Department of Otolaryngology and participates in medical student education and resident training. Dr. MacDonald sees patients at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
• Anthony Sheyn, M.D. Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology | University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN Dr. Sheyn is a Board Certified Otolaryngologist with fellowship training in Pediatric Otolaryngology. Dr. Sheyn completed a one year fellowship in Pediatric Otolaryngology at Children's Medical Center of Dallas/University of Texas Southwestern prior to coming to Memphis. Dr. Sheyn focuses on all aspects of pediatric otolaryngology including airway reconstruction, sleep medicine, pediatric head and neck cancer, pediatric sinus disease and pediatric ear disease. He has particular interest in minimally invasive approaches to Pediatric Otolaryngologic surgery including endoscopic airway reconstruction and endoscopic tympanoplasty. Dr. Sheyn is a faculty member of the University of Tennessee Department of Otolaryngology and participates in medical student education and resident training. Dr. Sheyn sees patients at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
• Jennifer Bidelman, AuD, CCC-A Senior Audiologist | Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN Jen Bidelman is a Senior Pediatric Audiologist at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. She received her Au.D. from Purdue University in 2011 after completing a 4th year externship at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, IN. Her primary areas of interest are pediatric diagnostic assessment, electrophysiology and cochlear implants.
• Dr. Angela Vandoli, AuD, CCC-A Staff Audiologist | Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN Angela Vandoli received her Au.D. from the University of Florida. She currently works for Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital as a pediatric audiologist, serving patients in a variety of the hospital’s inpatient and outpatient settings, with services ranging from audiological evaluations to amplification intervention. Angela also specializes in pediatric cochlear implants, working with patients and their families from candidacy evaluations through cochlear implant programming and follow-up.
Financial & Non-Financial Disclosures:
Dr. Carol Flexer received a speaking honorarium from Oticon. Dr. Flexer has no non-financial relationships to disclose. Dr. Bruce MacDonald and Dr. Tony Sheyn are employees of University Le Bonheur Pediatric Services and receive salaries. Dr. Jennifer Bidelman and Dr. Angela Vandoli are employees of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and receive salaries. Drs. MacDonald, Sheyn, Bidelman and Vandoli have no non-financial relationships to disclose.
Online registration has closed for this event.