HEMPSTEAD, NY—Levi Reiter, PhD, head of Hofstra University's audiology program and professor of speech-language-hearing sciences, was simply trying promote the audiology profession and attract more audiologists to the field when he composed a rap song for freshman orientation and for his first day of classes in 2005.

However, this rapping grandfather of 17 was unprepared for the “props” he received soon thereafter from students, colleagues, and even the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association ( ASHA ). In fact ASHA, the national association for speech pathologists and audiologists, is using Dr. Reiter's rap, titled “Say Whut?” in an ambitious program designed to recruit undergraduates across the country for careers in audiology.

“It's a great icebreaker,” says Dr. Reiter, a Chassidic Jew who also has a thriving audiology practice in Brooklyn. After initial positive feedback, he recorded “Say Whut?” in a professional studio with full instrumental backup. However, he is not thinking about Grammys or Billboard rankings. Getting students to consider a profession in the hearing sciences is reward enough for him.

Some lyrics include: