ENTKNOW CONTINUING EDUCATION WORKSHOPS We offer a variety of professional development workshops for audiologist and audiology technicians. The following workshops are arranged on an individual basis. On-site training with licensed audiologists and Board Certified Otolaryngologist provides our attendees with the hands on training in a front-line practice. We use the latest technologies to train our attendees. For more information on workshops or for advanced workshops please call (888) 498-7874. Data interpretation support available after attending an ENTKNOW workshop. Audiology and Electrophysiology Workshops Audiology IA- The Audiogram - Basics (24 Hours) Audiology I provides a comprehensive introduction to audiogram testing and interpretation, including clinical experience with a licensed audiologist, under the supervision of Board Certified Otolaryngologist. The audiogram is a graph which indicates specific frequencies (pure tones) and intensity levels (in decibels) which identify what a person can hear in each ear individually. Pure tone audiometry can be accomplished with head phones or insert earphones worn by the patient. Speech audiometry is another component of the comprehensive audiological evaluation, and this involves the patient repeating spondaic (two-syllable) words at increasingly softer volume levels in order to establish how softly they can hear speech in both ears. Finally, speech discrimination is established for each ear to evaluate how clearly the individual can understand words delivered to each ear. Therefore, the audiogram identifies both how softly and how clearly the patient hears. Audiology IO- Otoacoustic Emission Testing - Basics (8 Hours) Audiology IO provides a comprehensive introduction to OAE testing and interpretation, including clinical experience with a licensed audiologist, under the supervision of Board Certified Otolaryngologist. Otoacoustic emission test (OAE): An otoacoustic emission test (OAE) measures an acoustic response that is produced by the inner ear (cochlea), which in essence bounces back out of the ear in response to a sound stimulus. The test is performed by placing a small probe that contains a microphone and speaker into the infant's ear. As the infant rests quietly, sounds are generated in the probe and responses that come back from the cochlea are recorded. Once the cochlea processes the sound, an electrical stimulus is sent to the brainstem. In addition, there is a second and separate sound that does not travel up the nerve, but comes back out into the infant's ear canal. This "byproduct" is the otoacoustic emission. The emission is then recorded with the microphone probe and represented pictorially on a computer screen. Audiology IT- Impedance Testing - Basics (16 Hours) Audiology IT provides a comprehensive introduction to impedance testing and interpretation, including clinical experience with a licensed audiologist. Tympanometry is a test where air pressure in the ear canal is varied to test the condition and mobility (movement) of the ear drum (tympanic membrane) and is useful in detecting disorders of the middle ear. The test is initiated by performing a visual inspection of the external auditory canal of the patient with an otoscope to evaluate the ear canal of the patient and to ensure that there is a clear path to the ear drum. A probe tip then is inserted into the ear of the individual that will change the air pressure in the patient’s ear, produce a pure tone, and measure the body's responses to the sound and different pressures. Tympanometry determines the functionality of the tympanic membrane by observing its response to waves of pressure, and measuring the air pressure of the middle ear. Acoustic Reflex Sub-Testing The acoustic reflex refers to the involuntary muscle contraction within the middle ear. It normally occurs in response to high-intensity sounds. The two muscles within the middle ear (directly behind the eardrum) are the tensor tympani and the stapedius muscles. In response to high-intensity sounds, the tensor tympani pulls the malleus (hammer) away from the eardrum and the stapedius pulls at the stapes (stirrup), thereby helping to protect the delicate hearing mechanism of the ear. Vestibular/ENG Testing & Interpretation - Basic (40 Hours) This five-day workshop presents a comprehensive diagnostic approach to the vestibular and balance disordered patient. A review of peripheral and central vestibular anatomy and physiology, as well as vestibular disorders, provides attendees with the appropriate background to better understand vestibular disorders and their clinical manifestations. A clear and concise clinical pathway model is used to triage the history, symptoms and clinical findings. Clinical assessment methods including: cervical vertigo, vertebral artery screenings, postural stability tests, dynamic visual acuity tests will support the electrophysiological and VNG/ENG findings. Emphasis is placed on proper test protocols, integration and interpretation of results, recommendations for vestibular rehabilitation following "Diagnosis Based Strategies" and report of findings for both vestibular and non-vestibular patients to referring physicians. Workshop is conducted by a Board Certified Otolaryngologist.