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Friday, April 29
09:00 am – 10:30 am

Audiology
Session 04

Frank Musiek, PhD, CCC-A
Level of Instruction: Intermediate   –   Joshua Tree II

Split brain research has lead to increased knowledge both in the basic and clinical sciences. It has opened the door to a better understanding of neuroanatomy as well as interhemispheric function and dysfunction. There have also been contributions to clinical understanding of interhemispheric transfer of auditory information. This in turn has bolstered our insight to the evaluation of various kinds of auditory processing disorders. This presentation will intially focus on the anatomy of the corpus callosum which is surprisingly specific and relatively straight forward. The physiology of interhemispheric interaction is highly invested in understanding the effects of human split brain surgery and this perspective will be folder into this segment of the presentation. Using the split brain as a model for auditory transcallosal interaction, a variety of disorders the can affect callosal function will be discussed. Derived from these dysfunctions will be an auditory profile that can be applied in the clinical arena. Also presented will be the key role that myelin has in the long maturational course of the corpus callosum and how demyelination is associated with aging as well as a number of neurological disorders . Also offered will be not only diagnostic but intervention strategies that have evolved from information on split brain effects on central auditory function.

Learner Outcomes:  At the completion of this presentation, participants will be able to describe pertinent neuroanatomy of the corpus callosum, discuss the nature of auditory tests measuring interhemispheric dysfunction and outline key disorders that may compromise interhemispheric transfer.