Auditory Rehabilitation & Clinical Trials Lab

12/05/2025

We are excited to share that Dr. Arnold's latest ARCT Lab research is now published in Health Affairs . The study evaluated adult Medicaid hearing aid coverage across all states and found that roughly 70% of adult Medicaid beneficiaries live in states with coverage. There is wide variation in how states structure these benefits and this variation affects access and equity in hearing care.

We appreciate the support of and and thank all collaborators who contributed to this work. We hope the findings encourage national discussion about expanding and standardizing adult hearing aid coverage.

Access the article here:

This study examined state-level Medicaid hearing aid coverage for adults ages twenty-one and older across the United States. Using policy surveillance principles, we compiled a cross-sectional data set detailing hearing aid coverage policies from fifty states and Washington, D.C., as of December 31,...

10/31/2025

The ARCT research lab is investigating all types of EARS this Halloween! 🐾👂🎃🧡

10/24/2025

Our USF research team, in partnership with the Florida Community Health Worker Coalition, is inviting the community health workforce to share perspectives on hearing, memory, and fall risk screening in Florida.
We’re especially hoping to hear from:👩‍⚕️ Community Health Workers (CHWs)👨‍⚕️ Clinicians📝 Medical assistants🏥 Administrative staff…and anyone working in or with community-based health settings such as Community Health Centers (CHCs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), rural health clinics, hospitals, Veterans Affairs (VA) sites, public health departments, nonprofit or faith-based programs, senior centers, and rehabilitation clinics.
Your input will help us understand systems change readiness and guide future community-driven strategies to better support older adults at risk for cognitive decline and falls.
📋 The survey is short, and your insights are invaluable:👉 Take the survey here: https://redcap.health.usf.edu/surveys/?s=JNARF483Y8YTC8JF

Please share with colleagues who may also want to contribute!

You are invited to take part in a research survey led by Dr. Michelle Arnold from the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences at the University of South Florida (USF). The purpose of this survey is to learn about current practices, needs, and barriers related to hearing, memory, and fall risk s...

10/24/2025

‼️Research opportunity for adult cochlear implant users‼️

09/30/2025

🎓👏 A proud moment worth celebrating! Please join us in congratulating Sally on her White Coat Ceremony— a significant milestone that marks the beginning of her journey in the field of audiology. Congratulations, Sally!

09/22/2025

Researchers at the University of South Florida, in partnership with the Florida Community Health Worker Coalition, are gathering input to help guide community health work in our region.
If you work in a health care setting, please take a few minutes to complete this short survey and share it with your networks:
🔗 https://redcap.health.usf.edu/surveys/?s=JNARF483Y8YTC8JF
Your voice matters — thank you for contributing.

09/22/2025

🦻Interested in this research and want to learn more? Scan the QR code and contact USF ARCT Lab at 813-974-1262 or email arctlab@usf.edu 🦻

09/22/2025

ARCT Lab investigator and USF Health audiologist, Dr. Haley Calloway, honors sister’s legacy through a life of service.

Check out the full story and video with the link below!

University of South Florida

02/07/2025

📢 Join us in Scottsdale, Arizona for the 2025 Population Hearing Healthcare Conference!

Special recognition to Dr. Michelle Arnold, ARCT Lab Director, who will be chairing the conference, and Dr. Naudy Portalatin Miranda, an ARCT Lab member, who will showcase his work.

🔗 Register now to reserve your spot! 
https://www.amauditorysoc.org/

See you in Scottsdale for two days of learning, networking, and advancing hearing healthcare! 🌟

12/30/2024

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to HEAR. Our Special Olympics athlete received a hearing evaluation and new hearing aids just in time for Christmas. USF Health shares our gratitude to all donors involved in providing the gift of hearing to the Special Olympics athletes. We give special thanks to Special Olympics Healthy Hearing, StarkeyCares, Deshler Diagnostics and the Student Academy of Audiology student volunteers. We wish you all a Happy New Y(Ear).

12/19/2024

Congratulation’s to doctoral student Naudy A. Portalatin-Miranda, AUD on his presentation at ASHA convention! Click the link below to learn more! https://t.co/IxB4jHP6l4

12/16/2024

Congrats to ARCT Lab Authors!

Check out the new ACHIEVE Study Publication! In this secondary analysis, hearing intervention had no association with physical and mental health-related quality-of-life over 3 years among older adults with hearing loss. The outcome evaluated was the the RAND-36 Health Survey which is a psychometrically validated questionnaire consisting of 36 questions that can be grouped to 8 domains of health: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, role limitations due to emotional problems, energy or fatigue, emotional well-being, social functioning, pain, and general health. Although the assessment did not show a difference between treatment groups, make sure to take a deeper look into the some of the sub domains. The domains of social functioning and energy and fatigue trended towards improvement with hearing intervention and these are domains that are often improved with better auditory wellness and are often leading factors that motivate patients to seek hearing healthcare.

Congrats to co-authors from ARCT Lab investigators, Dr. Michelle Arnold, Dr. Victoria Sanchez, and Dr. Terry Chisolm on this new publication!

[Secondary Analysis of a Hearing Intervention and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults]


https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/article-abstract/2826555