Northeast Ohio AuD Consortium

The Northeast Ohio AuD Consortium (NOAC) is a Doctor of Audiology(AuD) professional training program in Northeast Ohio. Professionals who have an AuD are considered audiologists, specialists who provides evaluation and treatment for hearing and balance impairments. NOAC is a collaborative program between the University of Akron,^[1] Kent State University,^[2] and Cleveland Clinic.^[3] It is the largest AuD program in the US (as measured by student enrollment). NOAC is a nationally recognized graduate audiology program due to its unique collaborative nature. Students are given the opportunity to complete coursework at both Kent State University and the University of Akron campuses. Clinical experience is offered at both universities through in-house clinics, the Cleveland Clinic, or other off-site placements.

Mission

The mission of NOAC is to provide Ohio with a pool of independent and competent professional audiologists. The consortium seeks to:

• "Prepare audiologists through professional education and clinical training who can diagnose, treat, and manage individuals with hearing and balance disorders.
• Enhance service to the professional community through continuing education, mentoring, consulting, and joint research
• Provide for research and clinical service through external funding from federal, state, and local agencies."^[4]

Degree Requirements

The NOAC AuD curriculum is a continuous 48-month post baccalaureate course of study. All students attend full-time and take courses in an ordered sequence. This program was created to successfully integrate classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences.

Students must meet the following degree requirements to complete graduation:

• "Maintain an overall GPA of 3.0
• Complete a minimum of 120 semester credits
• Accrue 2000 clock hours of clinical experience
• Meet the requirements for provisional Ohio licensure in Audiology
• Pass academic and clinical competency-based examinations
• Complete the required coursework"^[5]

The Northeast Ohio AuD Consortium is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

National Recognition

The NOAC program and faculty have been nationally recognized within the profession of audiology.^[6] In 2006, NOAC was awarded the Excellence in Education Award by the Audiology Foundation of America. NOAC program coordinator Dr. Sharon Lesner and faculty member Dr. Kristina English have both received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the American Academy of Audiology. Clinical Coordinator Dr. Erin Miller was awarded the Honors of the Academy from the Ohio Academy of Audiology in 2008.

In addition to their teaching responsibilities, several NOAC faculty are actively engaged in research collection and publication. Many faculty members are also active in local, state, and national professional organizations.

Statistics

Northeast Ohio AuD Consortium students have had a pass rate of 100% on the audiology Praxis exam since the first class in 2005. Also, 100% of NOAC graduates have been able to find employment in the profession post graudation.^[7]

References

1. ^ Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.)
2. ^ NOAC
3. ^ Best Hospitals, The Cleveland Clinic
4. ^ http://www.uakron.edu/colleges/faa/schools/sslpa/aud/mission.php
5. ^ http://www.uakron.edu/colleges/faa/schools/sslpa/aud/degreereq.php
6. ^ http://www.educ.kent.edu/noac/news.cfm
7. ^ http://www.educ.kent.edu/noac/data.cfm