Kaitlyn Marnien

Why are you interested in joining the national SAA Board of Directors?

I am interested in joining the SAA Board of Directors because I believe that one must remain in touch with the community and the concerns of the public in order to be truly successful in this profession. I want to be a voice for the patients, students, and colleagues that have come before me as well as those in the years ahead. I come from a family of several hearing aid users, and I have seen their struggles and heard their concerns consistently, which has driven me to find a more direct way to implement corrective strategies that make audiology services more accessible for all patients. I hope to gain more leadership experience in this position. Being president of the National SAA would be the greatest opportunity I have had to lead an organization in my lifetime thus far. Additionally, I hope to bring what I learn back to the local community at Gallaudet University, which is in the heart of D.C. where innovation thrives.

If you could change one thing about the profession of audiology, what would it be?

I would change the way that patients who are d/Deaf are considered in an audiology appointment. While I choose to believe that people in the medical world are forward thinkers, visionaries, and inclusive activists, I know there are people in audiology as well as other professions who find themselves caught in the mindset of fixing and curing peoples negatively-perceived qualities. In the perspective of an audiologist, the restoration of hearing can be seen as a primary goal. While this is true for a large percentage of our patients, the Deaf community often gets placed in this group of people who would be better off having auditory access and spoken language. I would use my platform to encourage a different mindset that emphasizes the beauty in diverse communication. By educating my peers and colleagues about Deaf culture (using sources supplied by individuals who are d/Deaf), I can foster a supportive environment where audiologists can provide more compassionate services that make patients who are d/Deaf feel more welcome and respected.