Friday | Saturday | Sunday
Friday Keynote Address
Genetics and Audiology
Sponsored by Energizer Battery
Friday, November 18
9:00 am - 12:00 noon
San Diego Convention Center
Room 5 A/B
Kathleen Arnos
Gallaudet University, Washington DC
Introduction to Genetics and Hearing Loss
An understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying hereditary forms of hearing loss is important in fully understanding the clinical applications of recent research progress in the field. This presentation will review fundamental concepts in genetics and hearing loss, including traditional and nontraditional patterns of inheritance, genetic epidemiology, and DNA structure and function. A general overview of recent research developments in the field of hereditary hearing loss will be given.
Arti Pandya
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Identification of Genes for Syndromic and Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss
This presentation will provide specific information on recent progress in gene discovery for more common forms of hearing loss. The molecular and clinical characteristics of non-syndromic forms of hearing loss such as connexin 26 and connexin 30 will be covered, as well as syndromic forms such as Waardenburg, Pendred, Usher, and Branchiootorenal syndromes. Clinical applications made possible by progress in the characterization of these genes will be discussed.
Sarah Burton
Gallaudet University, Washington DC
Clinical Applications of Genetics
Discussing the process of genetic evaluation and counseling and the clinical applications of molecular testing for hearing loss will be the focus of this interactive discussion. The instructors will present some brief case histories to illustrate various clinical applications of molecular testing for hearing loss. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own cases to include in this important discussion.
return to top
Saturday Keynote Address
Auditory Processing Disorders and Audiology
Saturday, November 19
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
San Diego Convention Center
Room 5 A/B
Stuart Rosen
University College, London, UK
Auditory Processing Disorder: What Is It? Does It Matter?
There currently is much interest in the possible role of auditory processing disorders (APDs) in the cognitive development of children, particularly regarding language and literacy. But the field is immature, with much confusion and debate even over its definition, never mind how to diagnose or treat it. Dr. Rosen will review the current status of research in this area, with a particular focus on a recent study of children medically referred for investigations of suspected APD. He will argue that APD probably does exist, but that it appears to play little or no causative role in any cognitive deficits.
Larry Humes
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Factors Underlying The speech understanding difficulties of the Elderly
To understand the role of central auditory processing in speech communication by older adults, it is necessary to approach this issue from a broad perspective regarding the processes underlying speech communication and the impact of aging on these processes. As a result, this presentation will discuss the roles of peripheral, central-auditory, and cognitive factors in the speech-communication performance of older adults. Contributions of these factors to both unaided and aided speech communication will be reviewed and discussed, with an emphasis on the change in importance of each factor when moving from unaided to aided speech communication.
Dennis McFarland
Wadsworth Laboratories, Albany, NY
Role of Modality Specificity in Diagnosing Disorders of Auditory Perception
Modality specificity is used in neuroscience to identify sensory effects. Modality specificity is also useful for identifying auditory perceptual disorders. The concept of an auditory perceptual disorder implies that performance deficits are greater with auditory stimuli than with stimuli from other sensory modalities. Behavioral and electrophysiological test performance depends not only on perception, but also on supramodal factors such as attention, motivation, motor skills, and linguistic abilities. Supramodal effects influence performance across modalities. Tests that vary the input modality while holding other factors constant provide an efficient way to rule out non-perceptual factors as explanations for poor test performance.
return to top
Sunday Keynote Address
Vestibular Disorders and Audiology
Sunday, November 20
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
San Diego Convention Center
Room 5 A/B
Devin L. McCaslin
Vanderbilt/Bill Wilkerson Center, Nashville, TN
Development of a Multidimensional Risk of Falls Assessment Clinic
There will be 7 million injurious falls in the United States next year, and 30%-50% of the fallers will be over 65 years of age. The cost of caring for these patients will exceed $20 billion. Falls are complex events. Disorders affecting gait, reaction time, static balance, blood pressure, vision, proprioception, and the vestibular system influence falls risk. A history of falls, being on four or more prescription medications, depression, and cognitive impairments are fall predictors. Topics covered will include: the epidemiology of falls and methods to assess falls predictors. A summary of findings for the first 76 patients evaluated in our clinic will be presented.
Owen Murnane
James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN
An Overview of Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials
Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) are electromyograms recorded from surface electrodes over the sternocleidomastoid muscle and averaged in response to acoustic stimulation. The presentation will provide a historical perspective of sound-evoked vestibular responses, an overview of the acoustic sensitivity of the vestibular system, and a description of the methods used for evoking VEMPs from the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Faith Akin
James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMPs)
The vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) is a simple, noninvasive test that may supplement the current vestibular test battery by providing diagnostic information about saccular and/or inferior vestibular nerve function. The presentation will include a discussion of normative data, the reliability of various recording techniques, and the influence of stimulus parameters on the VEMP. Case studies will be presented to demonstrate the clinical utility of the VEMP.
return to top