Where are you placed this year?
I am placed at Shohet Ear Associates in Orange County, CA. I am primarily in two office locations, one in Seal Beach (which is just a couple blocks from the water so we will occasionally walk to the beach at lunch!) and one in Newport Beach, where I spend most of my time. My placement has affiliations with Hoag Hospital and Children's Hospital of Orange County, as well as other private ENT physicians and a neurologist who specializes in dizziness and vertigo.
Describe your "typical" day (or lack of "typical" day)
The patient population is probably split 80/20 adults/peds, so I mostly see adults for comprehensive hearing test and hearing aid appointments, but I do see some kids too! We see a good amount of electrophysiology as well, so I've done a number of neurologically focused ABRs for adults, as well as some ECoG and ASSR. We see cochlear implant patients weekly or every two weeks at least, mostly adults but some kids as well. I see a lot of vestibular patients, which I really love! The Seal Beach office also has a surgery center on site, so I have the opportunity to observe surgeries.
What's something important that you've learned at your placement so far?
My placement also works with some less common technology, like Lyrics (which I can now remove and insert with varying levels of independence), Earles hearing aids and middle ear implants. I've obviously learned a lot so far, but I feel like I've grown the most in doing VNGs or vestibular assessments. I didn't realize I'd be getting as much vestib as I am, and I am here for it.