Proposals appropriate for submission to this topic area include those that focus on all aspects of hearing, balance, and tinnitus from diagnostics to intervention in adults. Submissions may include (a) basic and translational research in human and animals using behavioral, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging approaches, (b) assessment, intervention, rehabilitation, and communication strategies to improve outcomes, (c) relevant artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, and technological innovations, and (d) professional education and hearing health practices. Interprofessional education, practice, and/or research that addresses the implementation of interprofessional competencies within curricular or practice models or the evaluation of collaborative care outcomes specific to hearing, balance, and tinnitus in adults should also be included in this topic area.

Research

• Translational, applied, and implementation research in Hearing, Balance, and Tinnitus as they apply to assessment and intervention procedures
• Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of auditory function, balance, and tinnitus as they apply to assessment and intervention
• Computational and neuroimaging tools to study hearing, balance, and tinnitus (e.g., PET, fMRI, fNIRS)
• Physiologic and electrophysiologic approach to study hearing, balance, and tinnitus (Evoked potentials, otoacoustic emissions)
• Intraoperative monitoring of auditory, cranial nerves, somatosensory, and motor systems’ function
• Assessment and Intervention/rehabilitation strategies in hearing, balance, and tinnitus disorders
• Models of auditory function, tinnitus, and hyperacusis as they apply to assessment and intervention
• Selection, evaluation, orientation, and follow-up with assistive listening devices (ALDs), hearing protection devices, over-the-counter and prescription hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other implantable devices for adults
• Intervention/rehabilitation for hearing loss among adults, including surgical and medical management
• Emerging gene therapy and pharmaceutical interventions
• Ototoxic or vestibulotoxic monitoring programs
• Hearing loss prevention and occupational/industrial hearing conservation programs
• Rehabilitation and communication strategies including novel rehabilitation strategies related to hearing, balance, and tinnitus
• Counseling adults with hearing loss, balance, and tinnitus-related disorders and their support network
• Communication strategies, adaptive and alternative communication systems for adults with hearing disorders and their support network
• Technology and engineering innovations as they relate to assessment and intervention in adults
• Computer-based and other technologies for differential diagnosis, intervention, and rehabilitation related to hearing, balance, and tinnitus
• Engineering/technological innovations or service delivery innovations related to assessment, intervention/rehabilitation of hearing disorders, tinnitus, or balance disorders in adults
• Acoustic calibration and national/international standards for clinical and research applications
• Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data related to hearing disorders, balance, and tinnitus assessment and intervention in adults
• Individualized care models related to hearing, balance, and tinnitus disorders

Professional Education & Hearing Health Practices

• Effect of listening efforts
• Accessibility of hearing health care
• Cultural, linguistic, and interprofessional factors for quality hearing health practices
• Psychosocial, vocational, and functional impacts of hearing loss, balance, and tinnitus
• Cerumen management in adults

Related Topics

Proposals involving this population but with a primary focus on:

• Hearing/tinnitus/vestibular science should be submitted to the Hearing, Tinnitus and Vestibular Science topic area.
• The use of telepractice in the delivery of service that include technology-based approaches and outcomes at the system level should be submitted to the Telepractice topic area.
• Topics on clinical and research approaches and methods for cochlear implants and implantable devices should be considered for submission to the Audiology Implantables and Neuroprosthetics topic area.
• Topics on counseling that are specifically related to trauma and contextualized care should be considered for submission to the Counseling, Trauma-Informed Care, and Contextualized Care topic area.
• Any aspect of auditory processing for adults should be considered for submission to the Neuroaudiology and Central Auditory Processing topic area.