Dongmyeong University Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Conducts Hearing Volunteer Activities for Seniors

Students from the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at Dongmyung University, members of the hearing volunteer club, visited places such as Munhyeon Senior Welfare Center, Nam-gu Senior Welfare Center, and Suyeong-gu Senior Welfare Center to conduct hearing volunteer activities for elderly individuals experiencing difficulties due to hearing loss.

The hearing volunteer club, ‘HIT (Hearing Influencer Team),’ consisting of 10 students, carried out volunteer work for a total of 20 hours over five sessions every Friday in July at locations including Munhyeon Senior Welfare Center. Activities included questionnaire administration, otoscopy, tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions testing, pure-tone audiometry, and hearing aid consultations.

The elderly participants were able to obtain information about their hearing status and received information on hearing loss management and hearing aid effectiveness, showing high satisfaction.

Elderly individuals are receiving presbycusis hearing tests from students and staff of the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at Dongmyeong University.

Department Head Lee Sung-min explained the significance of this volunteer work, stating, “Presbycusis, known as one of the three major chronic diseases in the elderly, is an important degenerative condition that can lead to depression, dementia, and social isolation, yet many people are unaware of the type and degree of their hearing loss.”

Student Lee Jung-hyun, who participated in this volunteer activity, said, “I was able to apply the specialized knowledge learned at school directly in the field, enhancing my practical skills,” and added, “There seems to be a need for empathy and social attention toward elderly individuals suffering from hearing loss.”

The volunteer work was conducted as part of Dongmyung University’s extracurricular program, Service Learning. More professional information regarding hearing aid consultations and trial fittings was provided through the participation of the Cheongchun Dokil Hearing Aid Association.