Randy Russell Earns Doctorate in Audiology

Walking across the stage to get the diploma that officially declared Randy Pat Russell a doctor of audiology was a proud moment for him.

While the state of Texas recently upgraded the education requirements needed to practice audiology, Dr. Russell really wasn’t required to go back to school. After 38 years of practice, Dr. Russell would easily have been “grandfathered” in.

“I could have continued practicing as I had for the remainder of my career — and I plan to keep practicing into my 70s,” Dr. Russell said. “However, I wanted to keep up with changes in audiology and the medical field. I wanted a new outlook on the profession and my ability to relate to the patients, to keep them functioning at their highest level.”

Hearing aids and devices have changed greatly since Dr. Russell began his practice in 1973.

“Back then, devices were large and bulky, not sophisticated at all,” he said. “An upgrade might mean changing the color of the plastic case to make it more appealing.”

Since that time, hearing aids have improved tremendously.

“Faster computer chips allow them to analyze the sound better, to break it down into different parts that keeps relevant sound distinct from background noise,” Dr. Russell said. “Connectivity is another huge part of the change. Being connected to television, I-Pods and telephones lets listeners stay in touch with the world around them.”

The new generation of consumers seem to be less self-conscious about wearing hearing devices, and more interested in their utility.

“The attitude is, ‘If it’ll help me to hear better, I want it,’” Dr. Russell said.

Dr. Russell said he thinks the changes that require audiologists to be better educated are a good thing.

“It is important and good for patients for audiologists to have more training. Training now is much more in-depth, covering more aspects of the medical field. The fourth year puts the students in the field working under a professional,” he said.

Dr. Russell took much of The Transitional Doctor of Audiology Program online, completing the course in April, receiving his doctorate in June, and walking the stage to receive his diploma at the Arizona School of Health Sciences in Mesa on August 6.

“It was exciting to walk the stage surrounded by graduates from all different fields of medical training,” he said.

According to a release, The Transitional Doctor of Audiology Program includes “diagnosis and management of auditory and vestibular disorders, counseling, amplification technology, electrophysiologic measures, intraoperative monitoring, tinnitus, and business and legal aspects of practice.”

Audio Acoustics Hearing Center is located at 2481 East 11th Street in Odessa. Dr. Randy Pat Russell and his staff invite you to schedule a hearing evaluation to learn more about hearing loss and the technology now available to help you hear better.

Appointments are available by calling 432-335-9514 or 800-281-7788. You may also visit their website at www.heaar.com.