Last Wednesday, Whitney Jacky, a fourth year AuD student from Idaho State University and a member of our Internship Program, presented at Evergreen Cancer Lifeline’s Oral, Head and Neck (OHN) Support Group. The meeting provides open discussions, presentation and support to patients, survivors, caregivers, friends and family members.
Whitney presented on aspects of hearing health, tinnitus and amplification options for those experiencing hearing loss. One area of great interest to the group was ototoxicity. Ototoxicity results in damage of the inner ear or the vestibulo-cochlear nerve due to drugs or chemicals. Many chemicals have ototoxic potential including over-the-counter drugs, prescription medication, environmental chemicals and chemotherapy treatment. Ototoxicity can result in temporary or permanent disturbances of hearing, balance, or both.
We thank Whitney for helping create awareness on hearing health to the OHN Support Group! Through these advocacy efforts we hope to create awareness and education for individuals and the community.
If you’re interested in attending the support group, meetings are held every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 6:30-8 pm in Evergreen Hospital, Radiation Oncology Garden Room, Green 1-245. Learn more at Cancer Lifeline.