The department houses one residential program: the Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program and two online programs: the Post-Professional Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program for current audiology practitioners, and the Post-Professional Doctor of Audiology Non-Degree option, which provides professional continuing education. The mission of A.T. Still University’s (ATSU) Department of Audiology is to educate outstanding doctors of audiology who are critical thinkers, leaders, innovators, and compassionate healthcare practitioners.
Audiology is a dynamic and rapidly growing healthcare profession founded on the science of hearing and the study of auditory and vestibular processes. The department of audiology at ATSU was established in 1999 as an independent department within a medical school and leading health sciences university to provide comprehensive audiology education and clinical training with a unique focus on whole-person healthcare, inter-professional collaborative practice, and lifelong learning.
Graduates are knowledgeable and skilled in the scientific foundations of anatomy, neuroanatomy, embryology, pharmacology, auditory science, and evidence-based practice; the application of screening, diagnostic, and treatment procedures pertaining to hearing and balance disorders for patients across the lifespan; and business management practices for a sustainable and rewarding career.
ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences residential audiology program consistently seeks new, culturally and linguistically diverse, high-quality training sites. If you know of a facility interested in providing clinical rotations for doctor of audiology students, please contact Director of Clinical Education Patricia Dabrowski, AuD, at pdabrowski@atsu.edu.
The Doctor of Audiology (AuD) residential program at ATSU is a four-year post baccalaureate program that includes three years of didactic and laboratory course work with essential clinical experiences beginning in the first term and culminating in full-time clinical rotations in the fourth year. The curriculum is designed to prepare exceptional professionals through creating a solid scientific foundation and immersing students in extensive classroom and laboratory activities to promote mastery of the competencies necessary to provide effective patient-centered care for the diagnosis and treatment of hearing and balance disorders. Graduates will be prepared to handle the broad scope of audiologic care, including the diagnosis and management of auditory and/or vestibular system deficits for all ages, tinnitus management, hearing conservation, and neuro-audiologic examination, as well as the management and business aspects of audiology. See accreditation.
ATSU’s online Doctor of Audiology program is a post-professional program that offers the Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree for practicing audiologists who have already earned a master’s degree in audiology. The curriculum offers customized academic plans to meet individual learners’ needs and the flexibility to allow audiologists to continue to practice while completing the degree. Graduates are able to immediately apply the relevant advanced knowledge and skills to their practices to enhance their patient care and professional satisfaction. See accreditation.
The Post-Professional Doctor of Audiology Non-Degree option is designed for practicing audiologists, holding a master’s or doctoral degree in audiology (e.g. MA, MS, AuD or PhD) with a minimum of one year of full-time practice as a licensed/certified/registered audiologist.
The AuD program incorporates basic science education with clinical education through a combination of on-campus classes and labs, unique clinical rotations throughout the local area and in the ATSU Matter of Balance Falls Prevention program and the ATSU department of audiology School and Senior Screening program. These activities strengthen students’ communication skills, confidence in patient interactions and interprofessional collaboration skills, while instilling in them a sense of social responsibility. In addition, the ATSU department of audiology established its own university clinic, the AFA Balance & Hearing Institute in 2013 in Mesa, Arizona as a center of excellence for comprehensive hearing and balance care for patients and clinical education of students. The Institute functions as a model private practice, providing students with valuable opportunities to investigate and apply critical business management concepts, in addition to clinical skills.
In the post-professional AuD program, the highly focused coursework taught by expert faculty from across the nation provides the most relevant and up-to-date education. Over the past 22 years, more than 3,500 ATSU Audiology alumni have enhanced their patient care and professional standing. Many of these doctor of audiology alumni have taken on leadership roles, started clinical practices, or added new skills to their daily clinical routine. Many also now serve as clinical preceptors for AuD students, helping the next generation of audiologists apply and refine their clinical skills and critical thinking abilities.
Through a strong and supportive network of AuD alumni and high-quality AuD coursework, the audiology degrees at ATSU offer excellent clinical education with an unmatched dedication to business training and community service. The AuD program is challenging and rewarding, ensuring that graduates have the highest caliber, well-rounded preparation.
Audiologists make a difference through a whole person clinical approach, high professional standards, a passion for learning, and serving unmet community health needs. Browse stories from seasoned audiologists across the globe and become inspired with examples of how doctors of audiology implement practical solutions to improve the delivery of whole person-centered hearing and balance care. Learn from audiologists who are committed to lifelong learning and advancing the profession through enhanced patient care, health education, and industry leadership. Find out why audiologists love ATSU's AuD program for their graduate education. Browse AuD Life Moments.
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Audiology faculty and students are engaged in service and research activities that promote health and wellness in the community, educational opportunities for students and dissemination of scholarly works.
Kimberly Skinner, AuD, PhD, ’01, and audiology student Ariana Bashar, ’28, represented ATSU’s Department of Audiology at the 2026 IHD Evidence for Success Disability Conference in Chandler, Arizona. Their educational poster highlighted benefits of classroom amplification systems, emphasizing how improved access to spoken instruction can support a wide range of learners and offering practical strategies to encourage effective use of existing classroom technology.
The poster presentation marked the department’s first participation in this statewide event. Hosted by Northern Arizona University’s Institute for Human Development (IHD), it featured 40+ assistive technology companies, disability policy tracks, and a free community exhibit hall.
Audiology student Lily Pokornowski, ’27; Zarin Mehta, PhD; and Troy Hale, AuD, ’08, presented “Neurofibromatosis Type 2 and DiGeorge Syndrome: Unique Co-occurrence of Chromosome 22 Mutations” at the 2026 American Academy of Audiology Annual Convention in San Antonio. Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) and DiGeorge syndrome (22q11.2 deletion syndrome) are distinct genetic disorders associated with chromosome 22. Both conditions have been independently reported, but their co-occurrence in a single individual is exceedingly rare.
This is a case of a 38-year-old female with both conditions, presenting with a symptomatic NF2-related acoustic neuroma, right-sided profound hearing loss, vestibular dysfunction, and significant cardiac history and symptoms caused by DiGeorge syndrome. This presentation highlights exceptional surgical and management challenges. It underscores the critical need for cohesive multidisciplinary collaboration to optimize outcomes in a patient with complex genetic comorbidities.
Audiology student Jenna Skare, ’27, and Zarin Mehta, PhD, presented “I have a Guns N’ Roses Playlist – In My Ears! A Review of the Neurobiology and Management of Musical Tinnitus” at the 2026 American Academy of Audiology Annual Convention in San Antonio. The presentation focused on musical tinnitus (MT), a rare subtype of auditory hallucination where individuals hear music without an external source.
While tinnitus is a common auditory condition, MT may result from sensory deprivation and disinhibition of musical memory circuits, often associated with hearing loss, aging, and neurologic lesions. Following long-term mixed unilateral hearing loss, a 51-year-old woman experienced recent onset bilateral MT, perceiving music of the rock group Guns N’ Roses. Electroencephalography studies indicate MT involves abnormal cortical connectivity and altered brain wave activity. MT is managed similarly to tonal tinnitus, using hearing aids, neuropsychiatric pharmacotherapy, bimodal neuromodulation, sound therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other interventions.
A.T. Still University’s Continuing Education department provides support for the University’s schools, graduates and the professional community to fulfill their potential throughout their careers and ultimately impact patient care and well-being. The Continuing Education department serves to improve professional knowledge and skills; fosters a positive impact on patient outcomes; exposes clinicians to new information; and develops an interdisciplinary, healthcare team approach to treating patients and improving community/population health through the development and implementation of cost-effective, evidence-based education programs.
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