April 4, 2016, 6 PM

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To hear, one must first collect sound wave via the outer ear, or pinna. The waves are then channeled down the ear canal to the eardrum. When the sound waves hit the eardrum it causes vibrations to occur, which causes three bones in the middle ear – the malleus, incus, and stapes (hammer, anvil, and stirrup) – to move. The smallest of the three bones, the stapes, fits into the oval window between the middle and inner ear. When the vibrations cause this window to move, the fluid in the inner ear transmits the vibrations into the hearing organ, called the cochlea.

In the inner ear, thousands of microscopic hair cells are bent by the wavelike action of fluid inside the cochlea. The bending of these hairs sends nerve impulses that are passed down the auditory nerve to the hearing center in the brain. The brain center then translates the impulses that we recognize as sound.
 

Dr. Bethany Galligher currently holds a position at the Togus VA Medical Center, where she has worked for the past year. Prior to her work at the VA she worked at an ENT clinic based out of the Portland area for over 5 years. She also works as a contracted audiologist for the Maine Newborn Hearing Program.

Dr. Galligher received her Bachelor Degree from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, and her Master’s Degree in Audiology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. More recently in 2009, she obtained her Doctor of Audiology Degree (Au.D) from Salus University.

Kristie Iacuessa, Au.D. has been practicing audiology in Maine since 2002. She received her Master’s degree in Audiology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and her Doctorate degree in Audiology from Salus University. She is currently employed at Yarmouth Audiology in Yarmouth, Maine. Dr. Iacuessa is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and currently is serving as past president for the Maine Academy of Audiology. She has been an active member of the Maine Academy of Audiology and previously served as Secretary.

Dear Colleagues,

We, as a board, have finally finished our task of having a website created for the audiologists of Maine, and the patients we care for. It is nice to have this come to fruition after so many meetings spent talking about what to add, who to have create it, and the like. I am glad that we are taking advantage of the social media that so many of us look to on the day to day basis to find information, services, and professionals.

My second tenure as President of the Maine Academy has come to a close, and I am honored that I have been allowed to hold this position, not just once but twice. I am also appreciative of the hard work that is done by the other members of the board, some of whom have served since its inception. I think that at times when we are not serving on committees or boards we easily forget all the work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure our voices are heard as a profession. This board has always done its best to try and advocate for the patients we serve and our fellow audiologists, communicating with the Maine Legislature, Child Development Services, and other public and state agencies.

I hope that I have lived up to the expectations set by the board and the audiology community during my term. I also hope that as our good works continue to benefit its members more audiologists will be inspired to participate not only as future board members, but also as volunteers to assist with our many endeavors.

Sincerely,

Bethany E. Galligher, AuD