109 - Sarah McAlexander, Au.D. - Professional Development in Hearing Healthcare

Guest: Sarah McAlexander, Au.D. - Pediatric Audiologist at Texas Hearing Institute Dr. Sarah McAlexander joins Dave on this week's episode of the Future Ear Radio podcast to discuss: - Sarah's backstory and motivation for pursuing her Audiology doctoral degree through Vanderbilt - Sarah's immersion into the world of pediatric audiology and newborn hearing screenings - Sarah's research around "loss-to-follow up...

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PubMed·Journal article·Pediatric·4w ago

Early Auditory Stimulation, Not Device Type: Comparable Cortical Maturation in Children Using Cochlear Implants or Hearing Aids

Prioritise early auditory stimulation regardless of device type — timing of intervention appears more important than the choice between cochlear implant and hearing aid for cortical auditory maturation.

PubMed·Journal article·Pediatric·4w ago

Quantifying Inner Ear Function in Children With a Diagnosis of Cancer: Assessment of Vestibular and Audiometric Function

Audiologists and oncology teams caring for pediatric cancer patients should routinely screen for vestibular impairment alongside audiometric monitoring, as this study suggests vestibular damage is an under-detected late effect of cancer treatment in children.

PubMed·Journal article·Pediatric·6w ago

Ototoxicity Associated with Antineoplastic Agents in the Pediatric Population: An Evidence-Based Review of Auditory Monitoring Strategies and Contemporary Diagnostic Frameworks-Narrative Review

Audiologists managing pediatric oncology patients should apply evidence-based auditory monitoring protocols aligned with current diagnostic frameworks for platinum-based chemotherapy ototoxicity; this review consolidates existing guidance but does not introduce new...

PubMed·Journal article·Pediatric·1d ago

Avoiding Cisplatin-Related Hearing Loss, Including Implementing Sodium Thiosulfate as Otoprotectant Into Daily Pediatric Clinical Practice: Proceedings Based on Evidence and Expert Opinion From the Ototoxicity Taskforce of the SIOP Supportive Care Network

Audiologists and oncology teams treating pediatric cisplatin patients should be aware of SIOP Ototoxicity Taskforce guidance supporting sodium thiosulfate as an otoprotectant, and advocate for its integration into institutional chemotherapy protocols.

PubMed·Journal article·Pediatric·6w ago

Newborn hearing screening in infants at risk of hearing loss: diagnostic outcomes, false-negative results, and the role of surveillance

Clinicians managing at-risk newborns should maintain structured audiological surveillance beyond initial screening, as false-negative rates indicate that a single screen is insufficient for this population.

PubMed·Journal article·Pediatric·5d ago

Ototoxicity of a Single Fulminant Episode of Acute Otitis Media in Children: A Long-Term Follow-Up

Long-term cochlear and vestibular follow-up after fulminant acute otitis media in children is warranted; audiologists should be aware that even a single severe episode may carry lasting inner-ear consequences requiring monitoring.

PubMed·Journal article·Pediatric·8d ago

Impact of Cisplatin-Induced Hearing Loss on Quality of Life in Childhood Cancer Survivors

Audiologists working with pediatric oncology patients should prioritize hearing monitoring during and after cisplatin treatment and proactively address rehabilitation needs, as irreversible hearing loss demonstrably impairs survivors' quality of life.

PubMed·Journal article·Pediatric·4d ago

Practice and challenges of newborn hearing screening: analysis of a five-year database in Italy

Audiologists and program managers running newborn hearing screening services should review Italy's five-year findings for benchmarking referral, follow-up loss-to-follow-up rates, and early intervention timelines, though local protocol changes depend on how results compare to...