Advocacy

Our WSU SAA chapter recently submitted an article to National SAA highlighting our chapter's advocacy initiatives. We received phenomenal feedback for our piece from National SAA and were encouraged to continue active participation in all advocacy efforts!

The Wayne State University Student Academy of Audiology (WSU SAA) Advocacy committee has been hard at work over the past year! During the fall semester, our chapter held seven hearing screenings throughout Southeast Michigan at local health fairs and senior centers. At these events, SAA members provided free hearing screenings, performed otoscopy, distributed hearing protection, and educated individuals on the importance of hearing health. Additionally, if a participant did not pass on the hearing screening, we recommended they visit Wayne State’s Audiology clinic for a free audiologic evaluation. We also provided literature about hearing health as a resource for participants. Our chapter took part in “Ask Me About Audiology Day” by offering hearing screenings at a health fair in Flint. At this event earplugs, generously donated by Oaktree Products, were given to screening participants. Use of regular ear protection in noise and the importance of regular audiologic evaluations were discussed with many of the patients seen this day. Even more screenings are scheduled for the winter semester so we can continue to positively impact the Detroit community and beyond.

Additionally, for the winter semester, we have outreach and advocacy events planned over multiple weekends at an indoor gun range. Under the guidance of our supervisors, WSU SAA members will offer customized ear protection in addition to hearing screenings and educational information to customers and staff. We are excited for this event and hope to help many Metro-Detroit residents.

Increased public awareness and understanding of audiology is also a goal for the WSU SAA chapter. Our chapter has conducted advocacy presentations for different audiences. During the fall semester, we presented to undergraduate communication sciences and disorders classes, as well as the Wayne State University Speech-Language Hearing Association (WSSLHA) chapter about the profession of audiology. Presentations were also given to undergraduate classes at Eastern Michigan University. Looking forward to the winter semester, presentations are scheduled at two local high schools. Our committee is in the midst of organizing more opportunities to teach others about hearing health care and audiology.

To support the reauthorization of federal EHDI programs, WSU SAA members engaged in a letter writing campaign to representatives in both the House and Senate. Recently, new bills were introduced in the Michigan Legislature that may impact the educational services for students with hearing loss. Our chapter is looking forward to working with our state organization to determine if and how to best address these bills. Furthermore, with the support of National SAA we are hoping to participate in “National Day at Your State Capitol” this Spring.