Audiologists graduating into the Sensaphonics Golden Circle network include Mandy Rhody of The Hearing Clinic in Walkerton, Ontario, Canada; Alan I. Segal of Advanced Ear, Nose & Throat Associates in Atlanta, Georgia; and Sheri MacGregor of Highland Hearing Clinic Limited in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, Canada. They join a Golden Circle roster that receives priority referrals of musicians interested in personal monitors and custom earphones.
Seminar topics covered include details of how musicians and sound engineers differ in both needs and attitude from typical audiology clients. Topics included in-ear monitoring products and theory of operation; sound system design and stage setup; and the importance of regular hearing tests, personal fittings, and client education on exposure times and safe system operation. Because touring musicians often require 'house calls' at performance venues, there was a special emphasis on backstage etiquette.
One highlight of the seminar was a hands-on training session with a live band, led by Sensaphonics sound engineering consultant Thom Fiegle. Seminar attendees experienced both typical stage monitor wedges and in-ear monitoring, learned to take in-the-ear sound level measurements, and had the opportunity to interact with sound engineers and musicians in a real-world setting.
"We encourage audiologists to take an active role when working with musicians," notes Sensaphonics president Michael Santucci. "It's important that hearing professionals do more than just take ear impressions for these customers. We created the Golden Circle seminars to help them meet the unique needs of the music industry."
(Jim Evans)
