Welcome back to the All About Audiology podcast. I’m your host Dr. Lilach Saperstein and on this show, we discuss audiology and how it relates to your life. Whether you’re a parent, a student or a professional, you’ll find discussions and conversations here about how audiology affects your life, and practical everyday tips for improving the care that you give your patients, the way you can advocate for yourself or your child and advice for students and young professionals.
Today’s guest is Dr. Saunja Burt, an audiologist from Florida who has more than 20 years experience, including 17 years as an Audiology Program Manager. Dr. Burt received her BA in communication science and disorders from Hampton University, her MBA from Nova Southeastern University and her Doctor of Audiology degree from Central Michigan University in 2001, where she became the first black student to complete a four year residential AUD program.
Just before we dive into that interview, I’d like to remind you that your comments and your messages are the most exciting part of this show and for all of us to have a conversation around these topics. So, come and join the All About Audiology Facebook group, follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And of course, all of your messages are so dear to me and I answer all my DMs and I can’t wait to hear what you think of our conversation.
So, welcome Dr. Burt to the show.
Dr. Lilach Saperstein: “Welcome to the show.”
Dr. Saunja Burt: ‘Well, thank you. Thank you. I appreciate you inviting me. So, just to tell you a little bit about myself. I’m a Midwestern girl. I’m from Ohio, Youngstown, Ohio to be exact, born and raised. I have three sisters. I’m number two. And people always ask why did you become an audiologist? And the reason why is actually my younger sister had ear infections. She had to have pe tubes (pressure equalizing tubes). She had speech and language therapy, so much so that one time I went to one of the appointments with my parents, and she happened to have to have a hearing test that day. We go into, I say the basement because it was the lower level. And I see this lady and she’s explaining everything to my mom, what they’re going to do, the hearing test. So, while she’s talking to my mom, I’m also asking questions, like, ‘Who is this lady? What does she do?’ And my mom was a nurse.”
LS: “Do you know how old you were?”
Dr. B: “I was in middle school, but I remember my mom saying, ‘Oh, this is an audiologist and she does this’. And the audiologist at the time heard this conversation. She stopped and said, ‘Hey, if it’s okay with your parents, you can come test your sister’s hearing with me.’ And of course my parents are like, ‘Yes, go’ you know. They are all about that support. I like to say I did my first hearing test when I was in middle school.”
LS: “What a great experience. That’s so nice.”
DR. B: “Yes. And it was really nice of the audiologist. And you know, at the time, I knew then, I was like, ‘Oh, this is great.’ I ended up attending Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. They actually have one of the first communication science ...
