Overview
Dr. Smith's core research focuses on improving the assessment and treatment of hearing loss in older adults. Specifically, her work centers on comparing the effectiveness of current hearing interventions, developing new, innovative clinical tools, and examining alternative service-delivery approaches that help patients reach their individual hearing goals and improve their quality of life.
Dr. Smith also collaborates with multi-disciplinary teams to better understand the impact of hearing loss on other health conditions and services. Current projects involve understanding the impact of hearing loss on surgical outcomes in older adults, determining the mechanisms that may explain the independent association between hearing loss and falls in older adults, and comparing different models of hearing screenings for older adults in primary care settings.
Dr. Smith also collaborates with multi-disciplinary teams to better understand the impact of hearing loss on other health conditions and services. Current projects involve understanding the impact of hearing loss on surgical outcomes in older adults, determining the mechanisms that may explain the independent association between hearing loss and falls in older adults, and comparing different models of hearing screenings for older adults in primary care settings.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Associate Professor of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences
·
2023 - Present
Communication Sciences,
Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences
Associate Professor in Population Health Sciences
·
2020 - Present
Population Health Sciences,
Basic Science Departments
Recent Publications
A Pilot Study to Evaluate a Residual Inhibition Technique in Hearing Aids for Suppression of Tinnitus.
Journal Article Semin Hear · February 2024 Tinnitus acoustic therapy is defined as any use of sound where the intent is to alter the tinnitus perception and/or the reactions to tinnitus in a clinically beneficial way. The parameters of sound that may cause beneficial effects, however, are currently ... Full text Open Access Link to item CiteA Pragmatic Clinical Trial of Hearing Screening in Primary Care Clinics: Effect of Setting and Provider Encouragement.
Journal Article Ear Hear · January 2024 OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of hearing loss increases with age. Untreated hearing loss is associated with poorer communication abilities and negative health consequences, such as increased risk of dementia, increased odds of falling, and depression. Nonethe ... Full text Link to item CiteGuideline Adherence to Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Treatment and Management in Primary Care.
Journal Article Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · October 2023 OBJECTIVE: To determine adherence to the 2017 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) guidelines for the management and treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in primary care (PC) and compare whether key recomme ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Duke/UNC ADAR Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029Identifying mechanisms between hearing loss and falls
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders · 2023 - 2028Otolaryngology Surgeon- Scientist career Path (OSSP) program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders · 2022 - 2027View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
University of Florida ·
2003
Ph.D.
University of Florida ·
2001
Au.D.
University of Florida ·
1997
B.A.