All Audiology Case Studies

Team Helps Child with Hearing Loss Develop Language Skills

Kristina M. Blaiser, PhD, CCC-SLP, Idaho State University–Meridian
Donna Smiley, PhD, CCC-A, Arkansas Children’s Hospital

Summary

An interprofessional practice (IPP) team worked together to assess hearing loss and language skills in a 2-year-old child. The team recommended a cochlear implant and a plan of therapy for language development and listening skills. As a result, the child’s expressive vocabulary began showing steady growth.

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An IPP Team Helps 6-Year-Old with Down Syndrome Improve Communication Skills

Amy Costanza-Smith, PhD, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland Oregon

Summary

The parents of a 6-year-old girl with Down syndrome consulted an IPP team to get help with their daughter’s communication skills. The IPP team evaluated the girl, made recommendations, and helped the family purchase an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to use at home. After 4 months, the family reported that the device was helping with communication.

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International Team Gives Caregiver Education in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Amanda Hitchins, MS, CCC-SLP, Center for Community Based Education and Rehabilitation, Aru, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Summary

When visiting a village school and outpatient rehabilitation clinic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a team of professionals from the United States worked with their local counterparts to provide training and help patients. One patient was a 6-year-old boy with a complaint of severely reduced expressive language. The team – comprising both US and DRC medical professionals – worked together to create an assessment and treatment plan for the boy. They also provided education and strategies to the boy’s mother.

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Team Helps Patient Regain Hearing, Balance, and Autonomy After Cochlear Implant

Christin Ray, PhD, CCC-SLP, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
Kara J. Vasil, AuD, CCC-A, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
Aaron C. Moberly, MD, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio

Summary

After recovering from meningitis, 72-year-old Jon continued to suffer from hearing loss, severe dizziness, and imbalance. Struggling with daily activities, he sought information from a team of professionals about a cochlear implant (CI) and help improving his daily life. After the implant surgery, the interprofessional practice team helped Jon navigate life with the CI and regain his balance.

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Team Helps Head Injury Patient Address Hearing and Memory Issues

Keith Wolgemuth, PhD, CCC-A, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
Ashley Harkrider, PhD, CCC-A, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
Deb Berndtson, AuD, CCC-A, ASHA National Office, Rockville, Maryland
Anna Meehan, AuD, CCC-A, Lovelace Respiratory Research Group, Issaquah, Washington
Erika Shakespeare, AuD, CCC-A, La Grande, Oregon

Summary

An interprofessional practice (IPP) rehabilitation team developed a treatment plan for a 55-year-old man with memory and hearing loss, tinnitus, episodic vertigo, and headaches following a closed head injury. By working across specialties, the team created and executed a plan that helped resolve the man’s dizziness and address his hearing and memory problems.

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Collaboration Helps Clinical Team Diagnose Genetic Disorder

Adriane L. Baylis, PhD, CCC-SLP, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
Ani Danelz, CCC-SLP, Department of Plastic Surgery, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Orlando, Florida

Summary

An interprofessional practice (IPP) team at a cleft lip and palate clinic developed a treatment plan for a 4-year-old girl with hypernasal speech and dysmorphic features. By working across specialties, the team diagnosed the girl with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) and executed a treatment plan that included speech-language therapy and surgery to create a pharyngeal flap.

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