Site:
John D. Dingell VAMC

Location:
4646 John R Street
Detroit, MI 48201
United States

Description:
Our Audiology clinic includes ten audiologists and three health technicians, and we consistently host a 3^rd year Audiology student from the local university.  A variety of Audiology services are provided at our facility: audiological assessments, hearing aid selections and fittings to include BAHA, vestibular testing headed by a Vestibular Specialist Audiologist to include VNG, Posturography, Rotary Chair and vHIT, evoked potential testing to include ABR, ECoG, VEMPs and ENoG, and OAE testing (diagnostic and screening). Verifit 2 Real Ear equipment is offered in every audiology dispensing room. We also offer telehealth services for hearing aid fittings and hearing aid checks to include remote programming.

Our clinic also provides a Progressive Tinnitus Management (PTM) program headed by our Tinnitus Specialist Audiologist. Our clinic incorporates Whole Health for vestibular assessment and treatment as well as tinnitus management.

Number of externship positions:
1

Funding is assigned by the Office of Academic Affairs and may not have been determined by the application deadline. OAA funding is announced nationally at the same time which should allow sites to know funding at approximately the same time. Historically, our site:
This is the first paid externship for our facility.

Clinical opportunities provided during the externship:

• Audiologic evaluation
• Immittance measures
• Otoacoustic emissions
• Hearing aid selection
• Hearing aid fitting
• Assistive listening devices
• Vestibular evaluation
• Electrophysiology evaluation
• Tinnitus evaluation
• Telehealth program
• ENT clinic
• Industrial/hearing conservation

Clinical opportunities not listed above:
n/a

Externship site expects the extern to have mastered these skills before they begin their clinical externship:
Basic knowledge of audiological assessment, basic knowledge of hearing aid orientation and selection, basic knowledge of vestibular assessment, basic knowledge of evoked potential assessment, clinical and personal professionalism.

Externship site expects the extern to learn/demonstrate these skills during their clinical externship:
Further knowledge and growth in aspects of audiological assessment and interpretation, hearing aid orientations, selections and checks, vestibular assessment and interpretation, evoked potential assessment and interpretation, report writing, extensive counseling skills, time management skills, further aspects of professionalism as needed.

Number of audiologists at site:
10

Number of staff at site:
13

Audiologists holding CCC-A certification:
1

Audiologists holding ABA certification:
0

What level of supervision is provided:
Full supervision with independence as rotation progresses and skills grow

How many students per year both interns and externs:
4 (including 3rd and 4th years)

Continuing Education opportunities:
Manufacturer trainings twice a year, AAA, JDVAC, Michigan Audiology Coalition Conference (M.A.C.)

Travel to satellites required?:
No

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what:
Yes – Mental Health for Progressive Tinnitus Management (PTM) program; Physical Therapy (PT) and Neurology for Vestibular Rehabilitation

Are there research opportunities? If so what?:
No.

Do you have a consortium or collaborative arrangements with other sites that provides additional experience?:
No

What communication or other support do you expect or require from university during externship?
Semester evaluations

Site’s application requirements:
Email complete application–cover letter, resume and three letters of recommendation to stephanie.mclear@va.gov.

Steps for the student/university to follow the application process:

Student:
Letters of Recommendation
Resume
Cover letter

University:
Affiliation Agreement if student is offered the position

Site’s externship contact:
Stephanie McLear, Au.D.
stephanie.mclear@va.gov 
313-576-1000 ext. 65113

The Detroit VAMC will be following the ACEN timeline: (Click for larger view)