Published: Feb. 14, 2020

Eric Kinney at Rocky Mountain VA Medical CenterWhere are you placed this year?

I am placed at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora, CO, and happy to be part of their team! Proud to be working with veterans with tinnitus and providing veteran-centered care in hearing aid, CI, and vestibular services. 

Describe your "typical" day (or lack of "typical" day)

A typical day can vary from providing hearing testing and hearing aid fittings, to cochlear implant testing and mapping, full vestibular assessment, or leading Progressive Tinnitus Management or auditory rehabilitation classes. We also have one of the busier hearing aid walk-in clinics in the country, where veterans can receive hearing aid services without a scheduled appointment. Every couple of months the externs will rotate through specialty clinics so that you get a good amount of exposure and hands on learning in each. 

What's something important that you've learned at your placement so far?

One unique part of my experience at RMRVAMC is that we are part of the VA Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, meaning I have had the chance to gain experience collaborating and communicating with geriatricians, pharmacists, social workers, nurses, and nutritionists on treatment and care strategies of older veterans. Through this program you are also required to complete a quality improvement project, which has refined my scientific process and presentation of original research (always useful in building a resume!) This is a very unique experience exclusive to the VA, and has contributed to a greater knowledge of other professions within the hospital and how audiology affects care within those professions!