Sivantos Inc announced that 35 hearing care professionals from across the United States gathered at the company’s headquarters in New Jersey for the second annual Active Kids and Teens workshop. The two-day May event provided hearing care professionals with practical, clinically-relevant information on the research and technology available to those working with younger patients. Sivantos reports that this year the workshop drew a wide range of participants, including audiologists who work in schools, hospitals, private practices, and universities. Many attendees had years of experience working with Siemens hearing products, while others were introduced to them for the first time.

The agenda was reported to include presentations by special guests Meredith Spratford, AuD, from Boystown National Research Hospital, and Deanna Meinke, PhD, from the University of Northern Colorado. Dr Spratford presented recent research on the longitudinal outcomes of children with hearing loss, and discussed promoting device use and optimizing audibility through connectivity. Dr Meinke, who is also the co-director of the Dangerous Decibels program, presented Hearing Health for Kids of All Ages, providing attendees with practical information on how to increase knowledge, attitudes and behaviors toward the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus.

Sivantos experts also presented practical topics to complement the more research-oriented presentations. These included an industry update, advice on using social media to connect with younger patients, and how to market to active kids and teens. Attendees reportedly received an in-depth look at the Active Kids and Teens product portfolio and participated in a hands-on session to explore Connexx software.

The workshop concluded with four breakout sessions, the highlight of which was the opportunity to build “Jolene,” a specially-constructed fashion mannequin designed to measure the sound levels of personal stereo systems.

“The workshop was a great success,” said event organizer Donna Grant, AuD, CCC-A, manager of the Kids and Teens Program. “The participants especially loved how the research and clinical topics presented were nicely supported and rounded out with practical tips and tools. This way, not only were they able to learn about the latest research findings, they were also given the tools and tips on how to put it into practice when they go back home.”

Source: Sivantos