“We are the 'Avengers'... Fighting Hearing Loss That Harms the Elderly”

Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at Dongmyeong University Forms 'Dongmyeong Audiology Volunteer Team' for Elderly Hearing Service Activities

The Dongmyung Hearing Volunteer Team, composed of students from the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at Dongmyung University, rushed to the field to help elderly individuals suffering from hearing loss in old age.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The future "Avengers" tackling hearing loss that troubles the elderly rushed to the field.

Eight students from the Department of Speech Therapy and Audiology at Dongmyung University (President Jeong Hong-seop), known as the "Dongmyung Hearing Volunteer Team," visited Dasarang Complex Cultural Arts Center (Dasarang Senior Welfare Center) in Gayadong, Busanjin-gu, Busan on November 13 under the guidance of Professor Lee Seong-min, a professor specializing in audiology, to conduct hearing volunteer activities for the elderly.

They provided a seminar on presbycusis, hearing tests, and consultations on hearing and hearing aids to 21 elderly individuals, offering information on the importance of hearing care and personal auditory characteristics to seniors suffering from age-related hearing loss.

This volunteer activity was conducted as part of the Living Lab project by the Dongmyung University Community Cooperation Center LINC+ project group. With the participation of Ghanaan Hearing Aids, more professional hearing aid consultations were provided.

Lee Seong-min, director of the Dongmyung Hearing Clinical Center, stated, “Presbycusis leads to social disconnection, depression, social isolation, and dementia, so continuous social attention is required. Audiology students studying this major can take the lead in managing presbycusis through such hearing services.”

The Department of Speech Therapy and Audiology at Dongmyung University newly introduced the audiology major in 2020 and is focusing on training hearing specialists who help with hearing loss issues as well as speech therapists.