2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
| Inclusive Hearing Care: Language Accessibility in Audiological Evaluations
Inclusive Hearing Care: Language Accessibility in Audiological Evaluations
Developmental disabilities are prevalent among pediatric patient populations receiving audiological care, and developmental disabilities frequently co-occur with hearing impairment. There is limited research and guidance for accessible language in audiological testing for patients with reduced language processing skills. This can result in exclusion from accessing medical information. Additionally, inaccessible language can compromise a patient’s ability to participate effectively in testing leading to misdiagnoses, over reliance on sedated testing techniques, and an unnecessary delay in receiving care.
Our project examines the accessibility of language in audiological instruction scripts used by healthcare professionals. Employing intentionally accessible language promotes accurate and efficient testing outcomes, reduces anxiety and confusion for the patient, and strengthens trust in patient-provider relationships.
To assess current practices, existing sample scripts for standard audiometric assessment were analyzed and systematically coded based on predetermined accessibility criteria for written language. For this study, accessible language is defined as presenting information about the test battery using terms and language structures understandable to someone with a third-grade reading level.
This study proposes a new perspective on how audiologists can ensure test instructions are accessible and designed to support the specialized needs of patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This project is led by four LEND trainees in the Doctor of Audiology program at UNC Chapel Hill, with mentoring provided by faculty.
- Attendees will be able to describe the importance of using accessible language when instructing audiological testing.
- Attendees will be able to identify the criteria for accessible language and complex language.
- Attendees will be able to recognize if phrases for audiological testing utilize accessible language.
Presentation:
View Presentation File
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Hayley Krush
(Co-Presenter,Co-Author), Hayley_Krush@med.unc.edu;
Hayley Krush is a full-time doctoral audiology student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a LEND trainee at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, UNC School of Medicine. She received a Bachelor of Science in Communication Science and Disorders with a minor in Biological Science from Florida State University.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with .
Nature: .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Amelia Saccomandi
(Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter,Author,Co-Author), amelia_saccomandi@med.unc.edu;
Amelia Saccomandi is a full-time first year doctoral audiology student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a LEND trainee at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, UNC School of Medicine. She received a Bachelor of Philosophy in Communication Science and Disorders with minors in Linguistics and English Literature from the University of Pittsburgh.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Nature: LEND Trainees.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Kia Simms
(Co-Presenter,Co-Author), kia_simms@med.unc.edu;
Kia Simms is a full-time doctoral audiology student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a LEND trainee at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, UNC School of Medicine. She received a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Georgia Southern University.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Grants for Other activities from Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND).
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND).
Nature: Supplemental Grant.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Mia VanDeurzen
(Co-Presenter,Co-Author), mia_vandeurzen@med.unc.edu;
Mia VanDeurzen is a full-time doctoral audiology student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a LEND trainee at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, UNC School of Medicine. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Language Hearing Sciences with minors in Integrative Neuroscience and Applied Psychology in Community & Educational Settings from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Grants for Other activities from UNC Chapel Hill LEND Trainee.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with LEND Trainee, UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine.
Nature: Scholarship/ traineeship funding.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Hannah McLean
(Co-Author), hannah_hodsonmclean@med.unc.edu;
Dr. Hannah Hodson McLean is an assistant professor and pediatric audiologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her areas of interest are pediatric diagnostics and educational audiology.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Nature: .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Nancy Quick
(Co-Author), nancy.quick@okbu.edu;
Dr. Nancy Ann Quick is Director of Student Success and Associate Professor at Oklahoma Baptist University. Her research interests focus on addressing needs and improving outcomes for students with extensive support needs and hearing loss.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
• Has a Professional
(employed as associate professor)
relationship for Volunteer teaching and speaking.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Hannah Siburt
(Co-Author), University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, hannah_siburt@med.unc.edu;
Dr. Siburt is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC. She also serves as a LEND faculty member at UNC. Her clinical and research interests include supporting children and families with hearing loss and complex needs.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary,Grants for Employment from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Nature: LEND Grant Funding.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.