Recharge, Refocus, Rise: A Summer Guide for Audiology Students

By Hector Smith-Sanchez

The heat of the summer brings the best time of the year, Better Hearing Month in May!

As a grad student, most summers mean fewer classes, more time in the clinic, and a tiny bit more free time. As we’re wrapping up the school year, I’m here to share ways to prepare for summer clinical rotations, volunteer opportunities, and, most importantly, studying for the audiology national exam. These tips will help you make the most of this time of year and set you up for success in the future!

Tip #1 – Reconnect with Your “Why”

The summer time can feel like long days dedicated to working and learning. Although the experience is valuable, it can be easy to feel burnt out or exhausted, regardless of how much you love audiology or how exciting your clinical rotations may be. Recently, a classmate of mine felt this way and made it her goal to take some time to figure out “what made me fall in love with audiology”.

I resonated with this, especially during the summer when I often feel like I’ve been working non-stop for months, because I felt like I was losing sight of my inspiration, how far I’ve come, and the differences I hope to make. This summer, it is important to pause and reflect on “what brought me here?,” “what have I done so far?”, and “where do I dream to go next?”. All of this will help realign your focus as you continue to settle into your new summer schedule.

Tip #2 – Get Involved

Setting yourself apart from other students can be a difficult task if you don’t know where to start; however, volunteering is one of the best and easiest ways to do so! Some great volunteer opportunities include Special Olympics Healthy Hearing screening events, Boys and Girls Clubs, food pantries, and animal shelters. Students have also partnered with their university and other local organizations to host community hearing screenings.

If you’re interested in making a difference in audiology, and are a current national SAA member, you can also volunteer for the national SAA! Volunteering with national SAA teaches you leadership, creativity, and advocacy. Visit the national SAA’s website for more information on current volunteer opportunities.

Tip #3 – Expand Your Knowledge Base

If volunteering isn’t your vibe, but you are looking for new opportunities to learn this summer, I urge you to look into attending the training programs hosted by many industry leading manufacturers. Phonak, Oticon, Starkey, ReSound, and Signia offer educational opportunities specifically designed to help students grow. Many cochlear implant companies offer training series on anatomy, surgical implantation, programming, and troubleshooting.

ReSound will also be releasing a virtual education series in partnership with SAA throughout the remainder of the year. It’s designed for students to learn and train on a plethora of topics such as AI and expanding healthcare access. The first webinar in the series, Future of Hearing Healthcare: Student Voices Leading Change, is available now on eAudiology.

Tip #4 – It’s Never Too Early to Prepare

Lastly, for some students, the the national audiology exam can be one of the scariest parts of their audiology education. However, breaking it down into digestible pieces can make the impossible feel possible. Some strategies for exam prep success include breaking your study sessions into hour-long increments, using quizlets made by other students, and starting your study plan early.

Overall, there is no “right” way to spend your summer, but with only three or four years in your AuD program, I recommend making the best of each and every moment.