HCE Collaborative Auditory Vestibular Research Network (CAVRN): Preserving Auditory Performance in Operational Environments

August 5, 2024

Program Description: 

The Collaborative Auditory Vestibular Research Network (CAVRN) is organized as a virtual webinar led by the Defense Health Agency’s (DHA) Hearing Center of Excellence (HCE). In August 2024, CAVRN will be held in coordination with research leaders from DHA and the Tri-Service Auditory Performance (TAPS) Working Group to address the need for knowledge and materiel solutions that can advance the characterization, assessment, and/or stabilization of auditory and vestibular injuries to maintain military operational performance. Prevalent among military members, auditory system injuries can threaten military readiness, communication, situational awareness, combat effectiveness, and survivability.

Service-connected auditory system injuries affect more than 4.6 million military Veterans. Between FY 2019 and FY 2023, auditory system injuries represented the second most common service-connected disability among new recipients of Veterans compensation benefits, and the third most common service-connected disability among all recipients.4 It is estimated that 10-15 percent of military members may have at least some degree of hearing impairment.5-7 These injuries can result from chronic exposure to hazardous noise associated with weapon systems, explosives, rockets, jet engines, ship engines, and industrial machinery. Hearing damage is a gradual process, often not recognized until it reaches a level of severity that interferes with functional performance.

Target Audience

This activity provides continuing education audiologists, otolaryngologists, physicians, physician assistants and nurses. A certificate of attendance is available for other attendees.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain the process used by the Defense Health Agency to develop its Strategic Research Plans (SRPs).
  2. Interpret the output of SRPs to define the capabilities being sought.
  3. Outline sources of hazardous noise and factors that influence exposure to hazardous noise in naval aviation.
  4. Describe Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) laboratory capabilities.
  5. Identify emerging hearing protection technologies.
  6. Describe the history and evolution of U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratories (USAARL), including its establishment as the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Unit (USAARU) in 1962 and subsequent renaming as USAARL.
  7. Summarize the mission and vision of USAARL, which focuses on research and expert consultation on biomedical, physiological, and psychological issues affecting Aviators and Soldiers.
  8. Explain the research capabilities of USAARL, including its expertise in auditory research and its role in providing direct aviation medical research support to Army aviation and airborne activities.
  9. Outline the ongoing research efforts at USAARL, including current projects and future research directions.
  10. List the professions affiliated with the 711th Human Performance Wing Hearing and Noise Community of Practice (711 HPW H&N CoP).
  11. Identify 711 HPW H&N CoP facilities and their primary functions.
  12. Describe the support the 711 HPW H&N CoP can provide to the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Defense.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 2.00 Physician Assistants (AAPA)
    DHA J-7 CEPO has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 2.00 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until Monday, August 19, 2024 - 11:59pm ET. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
  • 2.00 ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers will be provided a certificate of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers may receive a maximum of 2.00 hours for completing this Course activity.
  • 2.00 Physicians (ACCME)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    DHA, J-7, CEPO designated this Course for a maximum of 2.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 2.00 Nurses (ANCC)
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Joint Accreditation/ Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) to provide this Continuing Nursing Education Course for a maximum of 2.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 2.00 Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (ASHA)

    Course # is ABIT2412

    Level

    0.2 ASHA CEUs

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is approved by the Continuing Education board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to provide continuing education activities in speech-language pathology, and audiology. ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products or clinical procedures.

  • 2.00 Certificate of Attendance
  • 2.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE)

    In support of improving patient care, DHA, J-7, CEPO is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the health care team. This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 2.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

Course opens: 
07/29/2024
Course expires: 
08/19/2024
Event starts: 
08/05/2024 - 11:00am EDT
Event ends: 
08/05/2024 - 2:30pm EDT
Add to calendar: 

Disclosure: DHA J-7 staff, Planning Committee Members and reviewers have no financial or non-financial interest to disclose. All faculty members have no financial or non-financial interest to disclose.

Speaker(s)

Hilary Gallagher, M.S.

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Jeremy Nelson, Ph.D.

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Army Major Jennifer Noetzel, Au.D., Ph.D.

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Navy Lieutenant Commander Kyle Shepard, Au.D.

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Available Credit

  • 2.00 Physician Assistants (AAPA)
    DHA J-7 CEPO has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 2.00 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until Monday, August 19, 2024 - 11:59pm ET. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
  • 2.00 ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers will be provided a certificate of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. ACCME Non-Physician CME Credit providers may receive a maximum of 2.00 hours for completing this Course activity.
  • 2.00 Physicians (ACCME)

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    DHA, J-7, CEPO designated this Course for a maximum of 2.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 2.00 Nurses (ANCC)
    DHA, J-7, CEPO is accredited by the Joint Accreditation/ Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) to provide this Continuing Nursing Education Course for a maximum of 2.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 2.00 Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (ASHA)

    Course # is ABIT2412

    Level

    0.2 ASHA CEUs

    DHA, J-7, CEPO is approved by the Continuing Education board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to provide continuing education activities in speech-language pathology, and audiology. ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products or clinical procedures.

  • 2.00 Certificate of Attendance
  • 2.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE)

    In support of improving patient care, DHA, J-7, CEPO is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the health care team. This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 2.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

Please login or register to take this course.


Access Codes: Some courses require an access code to register. Please reach out to the point of contact at the organization providing the activity for the registration code. The Continuing Education Program Office (CEPO) does not provide access codes.

Accommodations: CEPO provides captions and transcripts to hearing-impaired learners upon request. For real-time closed captioning, contact CEPO at least three (3) business days before the event. If we cannot arrange for live captioning, a video recording and audio transcript will be provided after the event, typically within ten business days. For events delivered by CEPO’s partners, please contact the course instructor to inquire about accommodations.

For more details, or to submit a request, email dha.ncr.j7.mbx.cepo-cms-support@health.mil.