Audiology Students Participate in Guatemalan Service Trip

NSU Audiology team: Catherine Regan and Alexis Sullivan, second-year student Katelyn Jacobsen and Professor Jackie Davie, Ph.D.

NSU Audiology students were invited to take part in the Florida State University Communication Science and Disorders’ 10th annual service trip, titled
“Help Guatemala Hear.”

The team, including fourth-year students Catherine Regan and Alexis Sullivan, second-year student Katelyn Jacobsen and Professor Jackie Davie, Ph.D., spent the last week in January in Sololá, Guatemala. The trip involved conducting hearing evaluations, examining outer and middle ear health, cleaning ear canals and fitting hearing aids.
The team assessed 211 patients, including several who were referred for further medical evaluation. Forty-six repeat and 134 new users of hearing aids were given amplification devices donated by Signia and ReSound Hearing Aid, while other supplies were funded by private sponsors. The team gave more than 50 Aquaphor creams and 25 Eucerin shampoos to two individuals suffering from harlequin ichthyosis, a genetic skin disorder.

The doctoral students said they appreciated the opportunity to mentor undergraduate students. The team noted how grateful many of the people were for their help.

Posted 02/18/24