Those gaining their Gold Circle certification include: Theresa Bartlett of Virginia Hearing Consultants in Norfolk, VA; Helene Levenfus of Cedar Audiology in Lyndhurst, OH; independent audiologist Analise Ludwig of Minneapolis, MN; Eric Nelson of Weill Cornell Medical College in New York; and Dale Radke of Hearing Consultants in Kittery, Maine.
The Gold Circle seminar teaches audiologists the specific skills required to successfully assist musicians and sound engineers, an outlook that includes but goes far beyond the taking of ear impressions.
"Most musicians just want their ear impressions so they can buy their in-ears, but that should really be the beginning, not the end, of the audiologist's role," explains Sensaphonics founder and president, Dr. Michael Santucci. "Audiologists are routinely expected to provide dangerously loud IEMs to musicians, yet in-ear monitoring is not typically covered in the college curriculum. That's why we developed the Gold Circle seminar: to create a growing network of audiologists trained to meet the specific performance and hearing health needs of musicians."
Instructors for the Gold Circle seminar include Dr. Santucci and Sensaphonics audio engineering consultant, Joe 'Sound Guy' Tessone. Topics include in-ear monitoring and hearing protection technology, concert sound system design, backstage etiquette, and marketing to musicians and music fans, all in the context promoting safe listening practices and evidence-based audiology. Attendees are also certified in taking proper full-shell ear impressions.
The highlight of the seminar is a hands-on lab session working with a live band using in-ear monitors for the first time. The featured performers were members of a Chicago group, Last Second Drop. "These live music sessions are great for both the musicians and the audiologists," says sound engineer Joe Tessone. "They get to interact prior to and during the performance, ask questions, take level measurements, and experience how an in-ear monitor system works first-hand."
The next Gold Circle seminars will be held in July in Chicago. Due to limited class size, interested audiologists should contact Sensaphonics to be considered.
(Jim Evans)
