{"id":223437,"date":"2024-03-11T10:54:43","date_gmt":"2024-03-11T14:54:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=223437"},"modified":"2024-05-13T18:23:57","modified_gmt":"2024-05-13T22:23:57","slug":"balancing-audiology-and-exercise-science-needs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2024\/03\/11\/balancing-audiology-and-exercise-science-needs\/","title":{"rendered":"Balancing Audiology and Exercise Science Needs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thanks to a one-of-a-kind virtual reality system used to evaluate gait and balance disorders and assess fall risk among clients served by ÌÇÐÄvlog\u2019s Audiology Clinic, students have another tool to use in their studies and doctoral research.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A third-year Audiology student, Max St. Germain is among the first to conduct research using the Bertec CDP Virtual Reality Balance System and a phone app to assess fall risk. As anticipated, he determined that the system, which measures center mass by having people stand on plates before a large screen with different scenes in order to measure how much they sway during different exercises, was more sensitive than the phone app. He was testing the app because it can be more accessible to small practices where space and funding may be an issue. \u201cThe phone app has some degree of success, but obviously doesn’t work as well,\u201d he says. \u201cIf the phone could be used, then clinicians with limited resources to balance equipment could just use a phone.\u201d He also found that the system and app measure different forms of balance and therefore more testing is required.<\/p>\n

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Natalie Niyazov straps fellow Audiology student Kristen Nortwich into a harness\u00a0 in the Bertec CDP Virtual Reality Balance System.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An Army National Guardsman and former EMT, St. Germain decided to pursue a career in audiology after taking a course taught by an audiologist. He found he wanted to do less emergency medical care. \u201cI really liked the work that he did and it seemed like a rewarding career,\u201d he says. \u201cYou get to help people, and you\u2019re not necessarily dealing with critical patients.\u201d<\/p>\n

St. Germain, who is also a teaching assistant and taught second-year audiology students Natalie Niyazov and Kristen Nortwich how to use the system, is glad to have it as a tool. \u201cIt\u2019s neat we get to have this because I don\u2019t think any other schools do,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s a nice perk for this program.\u201d<\/p>\n

The one-of-a-kind system is used to evaluate gait and balance disorders, as well as provide rehabilitative strategies, says Audiology Clinic Director Faith Mogila. It has been used as part of a diagnostics course and lab in which Niyazov and Nortwich participated. Both are former speech pathology students who switched to audiology.<\/p>\n

With several relatives who have hearing issues, Niyazov says, \u201cI have a lot of exposure, literally, so, luckily I was able to fall into audiology.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nortwich says she wanted to do something in the medical field. She and her family \u201care happy that I went into a field that helps people.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Kristen Nortwich straps fellow Audiology student Natalie Niyazov into a virtual reality headset in order to test her balance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That Montclair has the equipment is indeed a plus, as it is more typically found in hospitals and physical therapy practices. \u201cThere\u2019s a rehabilitative aspect of it,\u201d Mogila says. \u201cYou don’t find them in audiology doctoral programs because there’s a space issue and significant cost issue.\u201d Montclair\u2019s system, the only university-based system in the area, is one of only four on the East Coast; the others are at New York hospitals.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mogila made a case for the equipment, which was approved a couple of years ago. After some assembly, needed repairs and training, the $200,000 system was put to use. While the Audiology Clinic funded some of the purchase, \u201cwe would not have been able to purchase it without the provost funds,\u201d Mogila says.<\/p>\n

The Bertec system and students\u2019 work allowed for collaboration between the Audiology and Exercise Science departments, now both part of the College for Community Health.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen people think audiology, they don’t always think balance disorders and who would have known that we have this,\u201d Mogila says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Exercise Science and Physical Education Assistant Professor Luis Torres is on the committee reviewing St. Germain\u2019s research project and says he appreciates the collaborative spirit between his department and that of Communication Sciences and Disorders. \u201cThe familiarity with different types of balance testing was what allowed me to join the committee and help students,\u201d Torres says, noting that athletic trainers, physical therapists, occupational therapists and other rehabilitative professionals can all benefit from understanding balance testing.\u00a0 \u201cIn the physical rehabilitation world, we use the information gathered from balance tests to help us identify risks for falling and reinjury within our rehabilitation programs.\u201d Torres, whose research centers on mental health in physical activity and improving concussion care, says the findings also could help when dealing with athletes or more active people \u201cmake decisions on return to play or return to activity.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Above and below, Natalie Niyazov assesses fellow Audiology student Kristen Nortwich\u2019s balance as she moves through different virtual scenes while harnessed into the Bertec CDP Virtual Reality Balance System.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Mogila says the collaboration has been an asset to audiology students, such as St. Germain. \u201cWhen Luis came onboard, he had all these tools in his toolbox that I wouldn’t have thought of, so, it made it a really multidisciplinary project,\u201d she says. \u201cTogether, we were able to put collaborative insight into the projects which proved very successful.\u201d \u00a0In addition, such collaboration also benefits the College for Community Health by embodying the mission of working together, she adds, noting that \u201cthere’s a lot of potential projects with this\u201d system. Torres envisions using it for future faculty projects, as well.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

For students like St. Germain, Torres says, it allows them to showcase an \u201cinterdisciplinary experience in audiology and through a lens outside of audiology\u201d as well. \u201cThat’s probably the best thing we can offer them: To help them get great jobs that they love.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Kristen Nortwich wears a harness to prevent her from falling as her balance is tested in various virtual scenarios.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Story by Staff Writer Sylvia A. Martinez<\/a>. Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters<\/a>.<\/p>\n