Over fall break, seven of the third-year students at Rush University traveled to Guatemala with the Fundación Sonrisas que Escuchan (Smiles that Listen Foundation), led by Dr. Patricia Castellanos de Muñoz. We screened roughly 800 adults and children in the cities of Totonicapán and Guatemala City. We learned about the challenges regarding accessibility to audiological services, as Dr. Castellanos is the only licensed audiologist in Guatemala. Additionally, as part of Accessibility and Accommodation Awareness Month at Rush University, Anna Benson & Katie Turek participated in a student panel titled, “Accessibility for Hearing Healthcare Here and Abroad.” At this panel, we discussed challenges for hearing healthcare in Guatemala, and medical students explained their efforts in learning American Sign Language. Both of these opportunities were an incredible experience! Rush’s SAA chapter is excited for upcoming opportunities to spread the awareness regarding audiology.
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