{"id":71981,"date":"2025-08-15T18:56:10","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T18:56:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hearingloss.com\/?p=71981"},"modified":"2026-04-12T07:21:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T07:21:21","slug":"training-future-audiologists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hearingloss.com\/blog\/training-future-audiologists","title":{"rendered":"Bridging the Gap: Mentorship, Innovation, and the Future of Hearing Care in Hawai’i"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This article was written by Robin Wielins, Au.D., a HearingLoss.com\u00ae<\/sup>-certified provider located at Island Audiology & Hearing Aid Centers in Oahu, Kauai, and Kona, HI.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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In Hawai’i, where ocean breezes and island rhythms shape everyday life, access to quality hearing care is essential but not always easy to come by. One unique challenge the islands face is the absence of an in-state doctoral program in audiology. This leaves Hawai’i dependent on outside training programs and traveling providers to meet the needs of local communities. But the islands are also home to passionate audiologists who are changing that reality \u2014 not through sweeping reforms but through steady, patient-centered leadership and a commitment to training the next generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a mentor to audiology externs from across the country, I\u2019ve had the privilege of helping shape young professionals who are just beginning their journey. By introducing them to real-world patient care in Hawai’i and teaching evidence-based techniques like real-ear measurement and individualized treatment planning, we\u2019re working to ensure the future of audiology here is bright, sustainable, and \u2014 above all \u2014 local<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why Hawai’i’s Audiology Landscape Needs Mentorship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unlike many states, Hawai’i does not have an accredited Au.D. program \u2014 the graduate-level training required to become a licensed audiologist. That means every audiologist practicing here had to train elsewhere, often far from home. For patients, this often results in fewer providers and longer wait times. For students, it means missing the opportunity to learn in a diverse, multicultural environment like Hawai’i’s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mentorship can bridge that gap. Hosting externs in Hawai’i introduces future audiologists to both the rewards and challenges of practicing in a geographically isolated region. It also gives patients access to fresh perspectives and additional support, all under the guidance of a licensed audiologist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the islands, it\u2019s more than education \u2014 it\u2019s capacity-building. It\u2019s a long-term investment in health care access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Mentorship Looks Like in Action<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Mentoring externs isn\u2019t just about supervision. It\u2019s about modeling best practices in every appointment \u2014 and explaining why those methods matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, we prioritize real-ear measurement (REM)<\/a> in fittings. These in-the-ear tests verify that hearing aids are delivering sound at safe and effective levels, based on the individual\u2019s ear acoustics. While REM are considered the gold standard in audiology, not all providers use them consistently. By making them a core part of every extern\u2019s training, we\u2019re setting a higher bar \u2014 and ensuring that every patient benefits from technology that\u2019s personalized and precise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Externs also learn:<\/p>\n\n\n\n