Dr. Fligor Visited Memphis to Talk Tinnitus, Pediatric Hearing Loss
Last month, veteran and future audiologists and speech-language pathologists gathered for two days of learning at the 55th Annual Mid-South Conference on Communicative Disorders in Memphis, Tennessee. Among the presenters: Our own Dr. Brian Fligor shared insights with fellow professionals in the field!
The yearly event, held February 27 and 28, 2025, was produced by the University of Memphis chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. It draws clinical professionals, students, and educators, providing a valuable opportunity to enhance expertise, collaborate, and network with people from across the country.
Dr. Fligor, audiologist in chief and president right here at Tobias & Battite Hearing Wellness, presented two topical sessions: “Outcomes of Audiological Tinnitus Therapies in Private Practice” and “Understanding Childhood Hearing Loss: Breaking Down Complex Results in a Family-Centered Approach.”
Read on for highlights.
Dr. Fligor shares a fun moment with attendees at one of his speaking sessions during the 55th Annual Mid-South Conference on Communicative Disorders in Memphis, TN, February 2025.
Talking Tinnitus Solutions
With as many as 37% of people worldwide possibly living with tinnitus (ringing in the ears or head), it’s a serious issue that demands attention. Many people don’t realize that tinnitus symptoms can be successfully managed, making it all the more important to spread awareness and encourage people to seek care.
During his first presentation discussing “Outcomes of Audiological Tinnitus Therapies in Private Practice,” Dr. Fligor shared key points including:
- Tinnitus is a common condition experienced by roughly 50 million people in the U.S., with 20 million finding it interfering with their quality of life and 2 million people debilitated by it.
- Audiological evaluation identifies underlying causes and determines whether medical management is possible (versus addressing it through audiological therapies).
- Effective audiological therapies include tinnitus retraining therapy and bimodal neuromodulation.
- The Tobias & Battite Hearing Wellness team has carefully reviewed tinnitus treatment outcomes and found significant improvement in quality of life in over 80% of people enrolled in clinician-directed tinnitus treatment programs.
The title slide of Dr. Fligor’s first presentation, “Outcomes of Audiological Tinnitus Therapies in Private Practice,” appears on screen at the 55th Annual Mid-South Conference on Communicative Disorders in Memphis, TN, February 2025.
Tackling Pediatric Hearing Issues
Many might consider hearing loss just another part of growing older. The fact is, however, that it affects children too. As many as 5 out of every 1,000 kids in the U.S. alone may have hearing difficulties, and 34 million globally may have hearing loss significant enough to affect daily activities.
Dr. Fligor’s second presentation, “Understanding Childhood Hearing Loss: Breaking Down Complex Results in a Family-Centered Approach,” broke down a wide range of behavioral and physiological tests used to diagnose permanent hearing loss in babies and young children, with a focus on counseling.
The session emphasized the psychology of communicating difficult news and helping audiologists and audiology students develop the language and active listening skills to be effective communicators. Some core takeaways:
- While the patient is the young child, the recipient of the information is the child’s family.
- Communicating life-changing news such as a new diagnosis of permanent hearing loss must be done clearly but with compassion and confidence.
- Knowing what the test results mean — and what they don’t mean — is important. Communicating these results in a way that makes sense to the family is challenging but vital.
The title slide of Dr. Fligor’s second talk, “Understanding Childhood Hearing Loss: Breaking Down Complex Results in a Family-Centered Approach,” appears on screen at the 55th Annual Mid-South Conference on Communicative Disorders in Memphis, TN, February 2025.
In the ever-evolving field of hearing care, staying current on new research, therapies, and treatment strategies is crucial. For audiologists and speech-language pathologists, ongoing professional development ensures they can continue to provide the best possible care for patients and their families.
Dr. Fligor’s participation in events like the Mid-South Conference on Communicative Disorders reflects the importance of not only learning from peers but also sharing knowledge with the next generation of hearing care providers. Investing in professional growth benefits both providers and the communities we serve.
Dr. Fligor keeps his attentive audience energized during an educational presentation at the 55th Annual Mid-South Conference on Communicative Disorders in Memphis, TN, February 2025.
Do you or a loved one have ringing in the ears or difficulty hearing? You don’t have to live with tinnitus or untreated hearing issues. Schedule a consultation with one of our expert audiologists today. At Tobias & Battite Hearing Wellness, we’re dedicated to providing personalized care and solutions to improve your hearing health and quality of life!