Audiology Awareness Month 2024
Posted on October 15, 2024 by CAHP
National Audiology Awareness Month is celebrated in October each year. It is a great opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of good hearing health and hearing protection. The Doctor of Audiology program at the 麻豆直播 prepares students for professional clinical audiology careers and certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
In celebration of Audiology Awareness Month, we are highlighting four students from
麻豆直播鈥檚 Doctor of Audiology program. Let鈥檚 get to know Lillie Ange, Alexandria Greene,
Emma Lovelady and Gina Mejia!
Lillie Ange
Class Year:
鈥淭his gets complicated for me. When I was originally enrolled in only the Doctor of
Audiology program, I was set to graduate in 2026. However, I have chosen to pursue
the dual doctoral program so that I will earn my Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) and my
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). This new path will push my graduation to 2028.鈥�
Where are you from?
鈥淚 grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, but now I call Houston, Texas, home.鈥�
What was your undergraduate major?
鈥淚 majored in speech and hearing sciences, and I also double minored in psychology
and gerontology.鈥�
Why do you want to be an audiologist?
鈥淎s an audiologist I get to help patients feel empowered to take care of their hearing
and balance healthcare. I love that I get to play a part in improving their quality
of life. This profession is also the perfect blend of healthcare, technological advancements
and patient interaction.鈥�
What led you to choose 麻豆直播?
鈥淲hen I first chose 麻豆直播 seven years ago, I had the very cliche feeling that it was
鈥榟ome.鈥� When the time came for me to pick a school to attend for graduate school,
what kept me at 麻豆直播 was the relationships I had built over the last four years.
I wanted to continue my education at an institution I love.鈥�
What has your experience been like as a student at 麻豆直播?
鈥淢y experience at 麻豆直播 has been equal parts rewarding, challenging and fun. I know
that my time here has and will prepare me well for my future.鈥�
What do you like to do outside of class and studying?
鈥淚 like to spend my free time reading, cooking and spending time with my friends.鈥�
What are your plans after graduation?
鈥淎fter graduation, I would like to be a professor and have a clinical supervisory
role for future Doctor of Audiology students.鈥�
What advice would you offer to future audiology students?
鈥淜eep an open mind about the areas that interest you, find new ways to challenge your
intellectual curiosity, and stay resilient.鈥�
What is a fun fact about yourself?
鈥淢y roommates and I have fostered animals from the Mobile Animal Shelter for the last
year!鈥�
Alexandria Greene
Class Year:
鈥�2025鈥�
Where are you from?
鈥淏irmingham, Alabama鈥�
What was your undergraduate major?
鈥淐ommunication Sciences and Disorders鈥�
Why do you want to be an audiologist?
鈥淚 want to be an audiologist, specifically a vestibular audiologist, so I can help
patients with dizziness. These individuals have a reduction in their quality of life
and are desperate for answers. If they have a vestibular disorder, I enjoy treating
them and helping them return to their daily activities. If they do not have a vestibular
disorder, I enjoy guiding them in the right direction to hopefully reduce their symptoms
earlier by recommending the correct next steps.鈥�
What led you to choose 麻豆直播?
鈥淚 chose 麻豆直播 due to its proximity to home (Birmingham) and its proximity to the
beach. More specifically, the Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology is state
of the art, and I could tell that the professors really cared about their students
during my departmental tour.鈥�
What has your experience been like as a student at 麻豆直播?
鈥淢y experience in the Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology has been tremendous.
Professors within our department truly care about the education of each and every
student. Additionally, they take time to listen to any personal matters and offer
their help when needed. You can tell that they love their job and want future audiologists
to love it too.鈥�
What do you like to do outside of class and studying?
鈥淥utside of class, I enjoy going to the beach and gym and watching reality TV.鈥�
What are your plans after graduation?
鈥淭o work at a university where I am able to teach other Doctor of Audiology students
while also performing research to further expand the field of vestibular sciences.鈥�
What advice would you offer to future audiology students?
鈥淚 would advise future audiology students to apply their classroom knowledge to the
clinic in order to have the best experience possible. Additionally, go into every
area of audiologic specialty with an open mind, as you never know which area will
surprise you and pique your interest!鈥�
What is a fun fact about yourself?
鈥淚 have two cats named Poppy and Otis!鈥�
Emma Lovelady
Class Year:
鈥�2026鈥�
Where are you from?
鈥淏irmingham, Alabama鈥�
What was your undergraduate major?
鈥淪peech and Hearing Sciences鈥�
Why do you want to be an audiologist?
鈥淚 went through numerous PE tube surgeries as a child and grew a love for audiology.
I aim to be an audiologist who is there for those with hearing and balance issues
when they feel like all hope is lost.鈥�
What led you to choose 麻豆直播?
鈥淚 loved that it had such a homey feeling and everyone was so welcoming! It also was
a major bonus being on the coast!鈥�
What has your experience been like as a student at 麻豆直播?
鈥淚 have loved my experience as a student at 麻豆直播. Graduating with my bachelor鈥檚 and
now pursuing my doctorate degree at 麻豆直播 has been such an amazing experience. I have
loved the community and environment 麻豆直播 provides for the students. I also have loved
the sporting events and being able to attend events on campus.鈥�
What do you like to do outside of class and studying?
鈥淕o to the beach, spend time with family, shop, read and go on boat rides.鈥�
What are your plans after graduation?
鈥淚 plan to continue living in Mobile, as I have grown to love the area. I plan to
work as an audiologist somewhere along the Gulf Coast, hopefully working with vestibular
patients.鈥�
What advice would you offer to future audiology students?
鈥淕o for it! An extra three years seems like a long time, but it is SO worth it! The
career is so rewarding! As a future student, my advice is to get involved and push
the boundaries of your comfort zone by trying new things!鈥�
What is a fun fact about yourself?
鈥淚 have 8 siblings!鈥�
Gina Mejia
Class Year:
鈥�2027鈥�
Where are you from?
鈥淐hicago, Illinois鈥�
What was your undergraduate major?
鈥淓arly Childhood Studies, minor in Speech and Hearing Sciences鈥�
Why do you want to be an audiologist?
鈥淚 have always known I wanted to work with children, and audiology gives me the opportunity
to be a part of a life changing journey by supplying technology that allows them to
build relationships and experience life. This will be a very fulfilling career!鈥�
What led you to choose 麻豆直播?
鈥淚 started at 麻豆直播 as an undergraduate student in 2020. Not being from the area,
I chose 麻豆直播 based on proximity to my parents after moving to the south. At first,
I wanted to go into OT, so I chose a school with a good OT program, and it led me
where I am now.鈥�
What has your experience been like as a student at 麻豆直播?
鈥淏eginning my fifth year at 麻豆直播, I can say that I have had an amazing experience
with classes, faculty, student involvement and atmosphere. The faculty at 麻豆直播 are
outstanding and never fail to make me feel heard, valued, prepared and capable.鈥�
What do you like to do outside of class and studying?
鈥淚 love crafting like sewing, quilting or crocheting, and I love to read.鈥�
What are your plans after graduation?
鈥淚 plan to move back home to the Chicago area, work clinically, and potentially begin
a Ph.D. program after a few years in the field.鈥�
What advice would you offer to future audiology students?
鈥淒on't be afraid to reach out!! Talk to your professors, get involved in research,
and ask questions. It can be daunting to go to a professor you don't know well, but
all of our faculty are incredibly helpful and want you to succeed.鈥�
What is a fun fact about yourself?
鈥淚鈥檓 a vegetarian.鈥�