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
An Exploratory Study of the Impact of Hearing Handicap on Listening Fatigue During Health Care Encounters Among Older Adults.
Journal Article Am J Audiol · December 12, 2025 PURPOSE: This exploratory study examined if hearing handicap in older adults affected listening-related fatigue during health care interactions and explored whether different face mask types worn during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic infl ... Full text Link to item CiteThe Role of Auditory Working Memory in Self-Perceived Hearing Difficulties Among Older Adults.
Journal Article Am J Audiol · September 2, 2025 PURPOSE: The association between working memory and the self-perception of hearing difficulties in older adults is not well understood. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to investigate the relation between auditory working memory and self-reported he ... Full text Link to item CiteInvestigating themes in hearing quality of life with user-nominated goals on the Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile (GHABP).
Journal Article J Patient Rep Outcomes · July 1, 2025 BACKGROUND: The Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile (GHABP) is a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) that was developed for the assessment of hearing aid efficacy using standard goals and user-nominated goals. The objective of this study was to describ ... 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 Institutes of Health · 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.