2024 - Audiology Student Day (14th edition)

The 14th edition of Audiology Student Day (ASD) was held on February 2, 2024, at the University of Montreal, bringing together students, professionals, and researchers to explore current issues in hearing health. Organized by students in the Master's program in Audiology at the School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, this day offered a rich and diverse program, combining scientific conferences and professional networking.

Guest speakers

Throughout the day, seven passionate speakers shared their expertise and research, addressing a variety of topics ranging from vestibular rehabilitation to the cognitive impact of hearing loss, including school audiology and technological innovations.

Antonio Sam Pierre , clinical audiologist and doctoral student under the supervision of Maxime Maheu, presented his conference " Virtual reality in the rehabilitation of vestibular disorders: preliminary results ". He shared the first results of his work on the use of virtual reality for the rehabilitation of vestibular disorders, highlighting his innovative approach focused on understanding the mechanisms of the vestibular system.

Dr. Nicholas Salvatore Reed , a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, addressed the topic of " Cognitive Impacts of Deafness ." In his lecture, he presented the results of a recent longitudinal study, explaining the relationship between hearing loss and cognitive decline, as well as the potential benefits of hearing aids on cognitive functioning in adults.

Bérangère Villatte , a doctoral student in audiology, presented her lecture " From its onset to its persistence: how does stress influence the perception of tinnitus? " She explored the links between stress, anxiety, depression and tinnitus, showing how psychological factors influence the perception and persistence of tinnitus.

Ahmed El Mawazin , a doctoral student in audiology at the University of Ottawa, presented his pilot project on " Analysis of speech perception using hearing plugs ." He shared initial results comparing hearing-impaired and normal-hearing people and demonstrated the effect of instructions on proper wearing of earplugs on speech perception.

Kim Foisy (CSSMB) and Roxanne Duguay (CSSDM) presented their conference on " The Beginnings of School Audiology in School Service Centers in Quebec ." They described the establishment of new audiologist positions in CSSs, the essential role of the audiologist in the school environment, and the importance of promoting hearing health and accessibility of services for students.

Joanie Farmer , Professional Affairs Advisor at the OOAQ, shared her presentation " New Developments and Current and Upcoming Projects in Audiology ." She presented the Order's current initiatives in audiology, as well as projects and tools designed to support audiologists and the general public, providing a comprehensive perspective on the development of the profession in Quebec.

A milestone day for the audiology community

The ASD 2024 was an enriching day, marked by dynamic exchanges between students, researchers, and professionals. Numerous companies and associations active in audiology were present, allowing participants to familiarize themselves with the resources, tools, and initiatives available in the field. This edition not only showcased scientific excellence, but also strengthened networking and collaboration within the audiology community, laying the foundation for exchanges and promising projects for the years to come.