The audiology externship experience at CT Children's offers a comprehensive and immersive training environment, where externs are exposed to all facets of pediatric audiological evaluation and case management. This extensive program includes:

• Behavioral Audiometry Techniques : Externs will gain hands-on experience with a range of behavioral audiometry methods tailored to assess the hearing of infants, toddlers, and children. These techniques include Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA), Conditioned Play Audiometry (CPA), and traditional audiometry adapted for pediatric patients.
• Electrophysiology : Training will cover electrophysiological assessments, including frequency-specific threshold estimation using Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing. Externs will learn to interpret ABR results to diagnose hearing loss in young children who are unable to participate in behavioral tests.
• Hearing Aid Fittings : Externs will participate in the process of fitting hearing aids for children, which involves selecting appropriate devices, programming, verification, outcome measures, and continued follow up care.
• Cochlear Implant Mapping : Externs will be involved in the mapping and programming of cochlear implants, ensuring that implanted children receive the best possible auditory input. This process includes candidacy evaluation, intraoperative measurements, initial activation, follow-up mappings, and outcome measurements.
• Vestibular Evaluations : Training will extend to vestibular assessments to diagnose and manage balance disorders in children. Externs will learn to perform and interpret tests such as Videonystagmography (VNG) and other relevant vestibular function tests.
• Sound Sensitivity Evaluations : Externs will also participate in evaluations and management strategies for children with sound sensitivity issues, such as hyperacusis or misophonia.

Upon completion of the externship, the extern is expected to be proficient in providing thorough assessments and comprehensive audiologic case management for complex pediatric patients. This includes the ability to conduct detailed evaluations, make accurate diagnoses, develop effective treatment plans, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the best outcomes for pediatric patients with hearing and balance disorders.

Universities must have an affiliation agreement on file with CT Children's that is active or negotiated in advance externs start date.

We have agreed to follow the application timeline proposed by the Audiology Clinical Education Network. Details can be found at .

Externship Information: Primary Practice Setting: Hospital
Number of Audiologists at the site:
1 FTE Masters Degree
10 FTE Au.D.
0 FTE Ph.D.
0 FTE Other Doctorate (ScD)
1 FTE professional support staff (technicians/audiometric assistants)
4 FTE Clerical Support Staff
Number of Audiology Students each year:
0 1st year AuD Clinical Rotations
1 2nd year
1 3rd year
2 4th year Externships Financial arrangements: None
Will interview travel be compensated? No
Vacation Days: Set by University
Continuing education opportunities? Yes
Start Date: June 2025
Expected hours/days a week:
Travel to satellite centers required? Yes
8-9 miles from main campus in Hartford, CT Local students preferred: No
Does the externship site provide orientation to relevant clinical policies and procedures? Yes Does the externship site provide instructions about patient's rights and providing patient education? Yes Does the externship site provide orientation to quality assessment, quality assurance and quality improvement? Yes
Externship site expects the extern to have mastered these skills before they begin their clinical externship: Candidate should have basic competencies conducting pediatric hearing evaluations, understanding and applying pediatric audiology protocols and procedures, and maintaining patient documentation. Externship site expects the extern to learn/demonstrate these skills during their clinical externship: Counseling on hearing loss and providing recommendations. Gain proficiency with hearing aid evaluation and fitting, administration and interpretation of electrophysiologic measurements, cochlear implant programming, and vestibular testing. Participate in interdisciplinary collaboration. Clinical opportunities that will be given to the extern:
Regularly Hearing Screenings Everyday Pediatric evaluations: infant/toddler Everyday Pediatric evaluations: school-age Rarely Adult hearing evaluations Everyday Tympanometry Regularly Acoustic Reflexes Never Auditory processing evaluations Regularly Hearing Screenings Regularly Evoked potential assessments Rarely Intra-operative monitoring cases Everyday Otoacoustic emissions Never Industrial/hearing conservation Regularly Vestibular assessments Rarely Vestibular rehabilitation Regularly Hearing aids dispensed Regularly Hearing aid selection/fitting Never Audiologic rehabilitation (group or individualized) Regularly Cochlear implant evaluations Rarely Cochlear implant rehabilitation Regularly Tinnitus assessments Regularly Tinnitus rehabilitation Rarely Cerumen management Research opportunities? No
Consortium or collaborative arrangements with other sites? No
How frequently will the externship site communicate with the university during the externship? As Needed Communication or other support do expected or required from the university during the externship: Communication on evaluation timeline, system used for documentation, contact details for interim communication as needed. Application Deadline: 9/18/2024 Application Requirements: Letters of Recommendation
Resume
Transcript
Personal Review
Phone interview
Letter of request/intent
Steps for the student/university to follow in the application process: Submit application materials to:
Contact Person:
(preceptor, supervisor or extern coordinator) Melissa Mathieu, AuD - Are all externs supervised? Yes

Universities must have an affiliation agreement on file with CT Children's that is active or negotiated in advance externs start date.

We have agreed to follow the application timeline proposed by the Audiology Clinical Education Network. Details can be found at .

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