Exploring the Continuing Education Experiences and Needs of Hearing Health Care Professionals: A Survey-Based Study

PURPOSE: Continuing education in hearing health care encompasses a range of opportunities, including formal academic training, professional certification and credentialing, technical or job-specific instruction, professional development events, and personal or general skill enhancement. This study examined the continuing education experiences and needs of hearing health care professionals to inform the design and delivery of future educational initiatives tailored to this workforce. METHOD: Members of the National Centre for Audiology at the University of Western Ontario developed a three-part, 40-item online survey to gather information from hearing health care professionals regarding demographic characteristics, experiences and needs related to delivery method, financial considerations, education requirements, professional interests, and learning style alignment. RESULTS: Eighty-one professionals aged between 18 and 64 years participated in this survey-based study. Most respondents were from North America and reported previous participation in some form of continuing education opportunity within the past year, with cost reported as a limiting factor to participation. Various learning opportunities, including developing new hands-on skills, were reported to benefit the respondents' learning styles. Future opportunities of interest were noted to include extension courses and professional certifications. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of continuing education opportunities specific to the professional development of hearing health care professionals. The understanding of past and future continuing education trends informed the need for targeted, accessible opportunities with a focus on active learning opportunities and those available online in real time. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.32288262.