CHS and CAH partner for hearning screenings

The College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts and Humanities partnered to offer students free hearing screenings in Smith Hall last Monday and Tuesday. 

The collaboration was inspired by Dr. Chandler Bridges, coordinator of Troy University’s music industry program. Bridges said he wanted to make sure his music students were protecting their hearing and reached out to the College of Health Sciences to expand the effort. 

Dr. Rebecca Allen-Jones, a professor in the school of nursing, explained why students should take getting their hearing checked seriously.  

“In college, students tend to be fairly healthy, so nothing is really wrong,” Allen-Jones said.

“However, if you find out when you’re older and hearing loss has happened, you can’t regain it back. 

“Going ahead and getting a baseline and establishing where you can get your hearing checked can help identify hearing loss a lot sooner.” 

Christian Pate, a freshman music education major from Andalusia, Alabama, is a mellophone player from the Sound of the South. Pate said he passed his hearing test but was surprised by the results. 

“After rehearsal, it can be challenging to listen and talk to other people,” Pate said. “It’s not really a ringing noise, but I just can’t hear as well as I could before the rehearsal. 

“It usually takes around an hour for my hearing to go back to normal.” 

Britney Pacheco, a senior nursing major from Enterprise, Alabama, helped administer the screenings and said some students showed signs of hearing issues. 

“I tested mostly music majors; half of them passed the screening, and the other half didn’t,” Pacheo said. “They told me they’re around loud noises and in loud environments, so it’s understandable that they have some hearing issues.” 

While hearing loss cannot be reversed, Allen-Jones said it can be prevented and managed. 

“We recommend wearing hearing protection, so either earmuffs or ear plugs,” Allen-Jones said. “If the hearing loss is profound, we recommend patients follow up with an ENT. 

“If it’s so bad that they need hearing aids, there is a resource in Alabama that will furnish hearing aids for people that are working. Hearing aids are typically not covered by insurance, so we refer them to there as well.” 

For those seeking information and assistance about hearing aids, readers can call the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services at (334) 293-7500.