Class Discussion: A Gain for Hearing Loss
Photo: David Schmitz.
New Doctor of Audiology Program Available in 2020
About 30 percent of people between the ages of 65 and 74 experience hearing loss, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. As aging populations grow, there is an increased demand for audiologists who diagnose, treat and prevent hearing loss. Given California’s high birth rate, there is also a greater need for pediatric audiologists to work with children. Starting in fall 2020, San Jose State will offer a doctor of audiology program to train the next generation of audiologists. Shaum Bhagat, chair of SJSU’s audiology department, says that the four-year degree will offer clinical rotations and doctoral research opportunities for students to gain experience working in partnership with hospitals, clinics and private practices.
“Graduates will get the chance to work in an inter-professional team approach to patient care among infants, toddlers, children, adults and elders,” says Bhagat. “Whether they are working with people encountering hearing loss due to their work environment, testing newborns within minutes of birth or treating the elderly, they will be working to improve others’ quality of life.”
