Audiology Students Give Hearing Screenings at Special Olympics

Eight Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg Audiology doctoral students and a faculty member volunteered for the Healthy Hearing initiative at the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games at Penn State University in State College on June 4-6. The volunteers were shown from left, front row: Grace Shaffer, Isabelle Fisher, Lilian Yuschock, KayLynn Davis, and Isabelle Latsch. Back row: Shelby Klingensmith, faculty member Dr. Thomas Zalewski,  Riley Wood, and Nicole Hannah.

The event brought together athletes and coaches from across the state to compete in in aquatics, athletics, basketball, bowling, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, softball, and tennis. A feature of the event is the Special Olympics Healthy Athlete initiative which involves seven discipline specific services. The Special Olympics Healthy Athlete initiative involves the following services: Healthy Hearing (audiology), Opening Eyes (optometry), Fit Feet (podiatry), Special Smiles (dentistry), FUNFitness (physical therapy), Strong Minds (mental health), and Health Promotions (dietitians). 

Healthy Hearing identifies athletes with hearing loss and ear health problems through hearing screening and testing; notifying and counseling regarding follow-up care; and whenever possible, providing on-site follow-up care at Special Olympics events. 

The screenings offered help to ensure these individuals are receiving the adequate care they need and deserve. In addition, it provides an opportunity for Doctor of Audiology students to learn about hearing loss and ear health problems among individuals with intellectual disabilities. During this two-day event the Healthy Hearing program screened the hearing of over 220 individuals.