Evaluating and Conducting Research in Audiology is the first research methods textbook that is specific to the field of audiology and designed to serve as an academic textbook for audiology graduate students. This text can also be accessible for audiology practitioners who are interested in clinical and applied research. The comprehensive coverage includes materials for multiple courses within audiology degree programs, including research methods, analysis of professional literature, evidence-based practice, and capstone research projects. Classroom tested, and written by authors who have extensive backgrounds in publishing and editing, this text provides knowledge that is required in evaluating, conducting, and disseminating research. The book is separated into three sections: (a) research methods; (b) evidence-based practice; and (c) conducting and disseminating research. Together, these sections provide a detailed coverage of the research methods that are relevant to conducting research, particularly in the field of Audiology. Key Features: * Learning outcomes at the beginning of each chapter * End of chapter reviews including key points and study questions * Audiology-specific examples, research methods, and study designs * “Golden Nugget” boxes throughout the book containing valuable information related to the critical concepts * In-depth discussion of qualitative research methods, survey research methods, and systematic reviews to motivate students and early career researchers to consider these methodologies in their research

KEY BENEFIT: Almost all of the 60,000+ speech-language pathologists and audiologists in the United States now have to be able to document convincingly the positive impact of intervention on their clients if they are to be competitive for "third-party" funding. Most are not familiar with the research methodologies needed to do it in a way that funding agencies are highly likely to regard as being scientific, objective, competent and valid. This book focuses on conducting and consuming clinical research. By not assuming any prior knowledge of statistics, this book teaches how to interpret and critically evaluate the data analyses and conclusions of studies in which statistics are used. It also summarizes the legal and ethical aspects of clinical research. Additionally, the widespread availability of software for computing statistics by issuing a command or two has resulted in a shift in emphasis from knowing how to compute statistics to knowing when to use the various statistics and how to appropriately interpret them. This book reflects this change in emphasis. Written as a professional book for speech-language pathologists and audiologists, it will enable them to document the impacts of intervention on their clients in ways that medical insurance programs and public school administrators are likely to regard as being both "scientific" and valid.

Evidence based practice (EBP) has proponents in all areas of healthcare and was endorsed in a technical report in 2004 and a position statement in 2005 by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Despite this, there is no text on EBP with specific application to audiology. It is particularly important in audiology, where there are various interventions to assist people with hearing impairment and a growing body of research evidence that needs to be appraised by clinicians and researchers. This comprehensive book describes the principles of EBP as they apply to the evaluation of audiologic interventions in children and adults. The reader will learn the process of EBP, as well as gain knowledge on the evidence relating to specific interventions. Evidence Based Practice in Audiology is divided into four sections. The first section describes principles of EBP, including how to evaluate evidence and how to facilitate evidence based decisions with clients. The remaining three sections provide a discussion of the best available evidence about hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other interventions. These three sections contain chapters written by leading international authors who summarize the best available evidence, highlight where further evidence is needed, and recommend how further evidence should be collected and applied in the clinic. The book ends with an appendix that contains recommended measures for the collection of evidence about different audiologic interventions. Evidence Based Practice in Audiology is a highly valued resource for students, researchers, clinical audiologists, other health professionals and policy makers. For students, the book can be used for learning about research methods and about outcomes of interventions for children and adults with hearing impairment. For researchers, the book provides a useful summary of available research on important topics in habilitation and rehabilitation and may assist them to design future research studies. For clinical audiologists, the book can help them understand what evidence is and how this can be applied in clinical practice. Other health professionals who can benefit from this book include ENTs, pediatricians, geriatricians, GPs, nurses, and aged care workers. The book can also guide policy makers and third-party payers in their decisions about allocation of resources. The text is written with sufficient information for readers with different backgrounds and experience and careful attention has been paid to presenting complex information in an easy to understand format. Evidence Based Practice in Audiology is edited by two leading academics in research in audiologic interventions. These editors have a rich clinical experience working with children and adults with hearing impairment and with other health professionals

With a new chapter on evaluating research articles, the fourth edition of Clinical Research Methods in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology continues to be an essential resource for graduate students and clinicians seeking to understand the principles and methodologies involved with clinical research. As the demand for evidence-based practice continues to rise, understanding how to conduct and evaluate research becomes increasingly important in ensuring quality care and professional accountability. This text emphasizes how to effectively apply research to clinical practice and decision-making processes. Readers will also gain knowledge of the significance of research ethics and the ethical considerations involved. With the utilization of discussion materials, this text will facilitate learning and critical thinking among students as they engage with the material. This edition includes information on how to critically review both quantitative and qualitive articles. Current trends and updated examples from speech pathology and audiology literature will assist with real-world research situations. New to the Fourth Edition: * New co-author, Jeremy J. Donai, AuD, PhD, providing a fresh perspective * New chapter on critically evaluating quantitative and qualitative research articles * Examples regarding integration of citations into a literature review Key Features: * Chapters begin with an outline of covered topics and learning objectives * End-of-chapter discussion questions aid students in applying concepts * A comprehensive glossary allows students to easily find and define important terms * Numerous references throughout, including many ASHA and AAA Codes of Ethics

Interpret them. This book reflects this change in emphasis. Written as a professional book for speech-language pathologists and audiologists, it will enable them to document the impacts of intervention on their clients in ways that medical insurance programs and public school administrators are likely to regard as being both "scientific" and valid.

Millions of Americans experience some degree of hearing loss. The Social Security Administration (SSA) operates programs that provide cash disability benefits to people with permanent impairments like hearing loss, if they can show that their impairments meet stringent SSA criteria and their earnings are below an SSA threshold. The National Research Council convened an expert committee at the request of the SSA to study the issues related to disability determination for people with hearing loss. This volume is the product of that study. Hearing Loss: Determining Eligibility for Social Security Benefits reviews current knowledge about hearing loss and its measurement and treatment, and provides an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the current processes and criteria. It recommends changes to strengthen the disability determination process and ensure its reliability and fairness. The book addresses criteria for selection of pure tone and speech tests, guidelines for test administration, testing of hearing in noise, special issues related to testing children, and the difficulty of predicting work capacity from clinical hearing test results. It should be useful to audiologists, otolaryngologists, disability advocates, and others who are concerned with people who have hearing loss.

The loss of hearing - be it gradual or acute, mild or severe, present since birth or acquired in older age - can have significant effects on one's communication abilities, quality of life, social participation, and health. Despite this, many people with hearing loss do not seek or receive hearing health care. The reasons are numerous, complex, and often interconnected. For some, hearing health care is not affordable. For others, the appropriate services are difficult to access, or individuals do not know how or where to access them. Others may not want to deal with the stigma that they and society may associate with needing hearing health care and obtaining that care. Still others do not recognize they need hearing health care, as hearing loss is an invisible health condition that often worsens gradually over time. In the United States, an estimated 30 million individuals (12.7 percent of Americans ages 12 years or older) have hearing loss. Globally, hearing loss has been identified as the fifth leading cause of years lived with disability. Successful hearing health care enables individuals with hearing loss to have the freedom to communicate in their environments in ways that are culturally appropriate and that preserve their dignity and function. Hearing Health Care for Adults focuses on improving the accessibility and affordability of hearing health care for adults of all ages. This study examines the hearing health care system, with a focus on non-surgical technologies and services, and offers recommendations for improving access to, the affordability of, and the quality of hearing health care for adults of all ages.