Catherine Dymowski is a third-year student in the Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS). After completing her undergraduate degree in communication science at SHRS, Dymowski chose to further her education toward a career in audiology.
During her time in the program, Dymowski was accepted into the TRanslational Auditory NeuroScience: LAb-based Training for Empowered Self-efficacy (TRANSLATES) program, a funded opportunity granted to Pitt Audiology students to expand their research skills. The program spans the second and third year of the AuD program and offers partial tuition and stipend funding.
Read on to learn more about Dymowski’s experience with TRANSLATES, and how it has contributed to her development as a researcher and an audiologist.
Choosing Pitt Audiology
Why did you choose to come to Pitt? What made the SHRS Doctor of Audiology program stand out to you?
I chose Pitt because I loved how challenged and supported I felt in my undergrad here, and Pittsburgh offers a tight-knit community that has been meaningful to me personally and professionally. I chose Pitt’s AuD program for its hands-on clinical experience, strong academic foundation and incredible preparation for clinical practice.
TRANSLATES Program
How did you get involved with TRANSLATES? What made you want to apply?
I worked in clinical research for three years between completing my undergraduate degree and starting the AuD program, so I knew I wanted to be involved with research during my doctorate. When I joined Dr. Catherine Palmer’s lab, she encouraged me to apply to TRANSLATES. I was curious to explore research more and appreciated that the program offered a safe, supportive environment to do that.
What lab or research are you involved in? What makes it exciting?
I work in Dr. Palmer’s lab on research associated with their CLEARdashboard project, which provides a user-friendly resource for consumers to find over the counter (OTC) hearing aids to meet their hearing, communication and lifestyle needs.
Our team developed a test protocol to differentiate devices and measure performance in various contexts, such as audibility in background noise. My research focuses on evaluating whether this test protocol can accurately differentiate devices. It’s been very rewarding to be on this team and contribute to a project that’s helping make hearing health care and OTC devices more accessible and evidence-based.
How has this program helped with your research skills?
Being involved with TRANSLATES has made me a more thoughtful and confident consumer of research. In grad school, the amount of research and literature to read can feel overwhelming at first, and I remember struggling to interpret certain studies early on.
TRANSLATES and the AuD program helped de-mystify research terminology and methods for me. While there are still complex papers that require more attention, I feel significantly more confident synthetizing them and applying research findings. TRANSLATES also helped me feel more confident in my ability to complete a research project from start to finish, which is something all third-year students must complete in the AuD program.
How do you think it will help set you up for your audiology career?
Being involved with TRANSLATES has pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best ways. I’ve become a more confident presenter, more resilient to critical feedback and more adaptable when collaborating with peers and faculty members who have different perspectives. Even though these skills were developed in a research program, they are directly applicable to clinical practice. I hope to continue incorporating research into my clinical career, but even if I don’t, the skills and confidence I’ve gained through TRANSLATES have already made me a stronger clinician.
Experience in the Doctor of Audiology Program
What clinical placements have you done/what are you doing now?
I am currently completing clinical rotations at the Pittsburgh Veterans Affairs in their hearing aid repair lab and at a hospital system in Wexford, where I focus on hearing aid fittings and evaluations. So far, all my clinical placements have been with adult populations, except for the preschool hearing screenings we complete in the first year. There are a wide variety of placement opportunities across different settings, so you’re able to gain experience in areas that interest you (i.e. pediatrics, hospitals, private practice, schools).
What is the atmosphere like? What were your classmates like?
I’ve loved my program and the people I’ve met through it. There are 19 people in my cohort, which is considered a larger cohort size for the program, and everyone has been incredibly supportive. Everyone wants to see each other succeed, and that creates a very collaborative and encouraging environment.
What is your relationship like with the faculty?
Everyone has been really invested in all our success, both academically and personally. While my cohort is a larger size, it’s still small compared to undergraduate classes, so I feel like the faculty get to know us all more personally.
Being a part of TRANSLATES also allowed me to work closely with Dr. Palmer and Dr. Elaine Mormer, who have both been incredible mentors to me. They’ve both challenged me to think more critically, communicate more effectively and approach the field of audiology with confidence.
How is the program setting you up for a career after graduation?
Overall, the AuD program at Pitt really prepares you for real-world clinical practice. With the variety of clinical placements, research exposure through TRANSLATES and support I’ve gotten from the faculty, I feel confident in my ability to transition well into full-time clinical practice. Pittsburgh is also unique because there is such a close-knit network in the audiology field, so I feel supported no matter where I go forward in my career.
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