Message from the Editor-in-Chief
Clinical practice is something that gradually changes over the years of one’s professional life. The questions that we asked in the 1970s and 1980s are quite different than those that we pose today. While it is true that audiometric testing has remained constant for over 50 years, we have added a few more tests and removed a few tests from our assessment battery -– OAEs were not performed in the 1970s (except for David Kemp in his lab in 1978) and I can’t recall the last time I performed a Short Increment Sensitivity Index (SISI) assessment or an Alternate Binaural Loudness Balance (ABLB) ladder test.
Dr. Dick Salvi has been at the forefront of getting us to ask different clinical questions. Tinnitus is no longer something that is just “in the ear” and we know a lot more about neural and central structure involvement in tinnitus, and these allow us to better inform our clients and design new investigative procedures. And this issue, co-guest edited by myself and Dr. Ed Lobarinas, one of Dick’s former PhD students, celebrates Dick’s contributions to our field.
Many of Dick’s colleagues have written about their interactions with him over the years; some former students and now colleagues, and some colleagues. But all consider Dick to be their friends. Dick is one of those rare people who has risen to the zenith of their professions while still being humble and down to earth. He is as much loved and respected by the large number of rudderless students who found their paths while working under Dick’s guidance.
And he still makes time to swim almost every day!
And like all issues of Canadian Audiologist, there are a wealth of columns that touch on areas where many of us don’t normally tread. Beginning this issue is “The Mysteries of the Hearing Brain” by Samira Anderson which moves from the column section to a regular feature article. I must admit that while I do need to read each of Dr. Anderson’s twice to grasp all of the subtleties, they are always packed with fascinating information, and always a pleasure to read.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue of Canadian Audiologist and if you ever run into Dick Salvi (or me) don’t forget to buy him a beer.
I wish you a pleasant summer, and don’t forget to wear a hat!