Meet the experts

Sarah Coulthurst, MS is a pediatric audiologist in the Audiology Department at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland. Sarah has been a part of the Cochlear Implant Team at Children’s Hospital Oakland since 2000 and has served as their Clinical Director since 2008. She works with a diverse multi-disciplinary CI team to identify and manage newborns through 21 year olds with hearing loss. At her clinics they see varying degrees and types of hearing loss but many complex cases. She also mentors audiology extern students, pediatric residents and presents to hospital staff and residents in training.

Dr. Frank Musiek is a renowned hearing researcher, scholar, teacher and clinical audiologist. His research on electrophysiology and central auditory processing has led to the discovery and implementation of numerous tools that are widely used for assessment of the auditory brainstem and central auditory pathways. His research career has contributed in a substantial way to our fundamental understanding of the anatomy, physiology and neurophysiology of the human auditory system. In addition to his immense contributions to clinical science and practice, Dr. Musiek has demonstrated an untiring dedication to educating students, from undergraduates to postdoctoral research associates and medical students/ residents. Among many awards, in 2007 Dr. Musiek was presented the James Jerger career research award in audiology and in 2010 Honors of ASHA for contributions in audiology and auditory neuroscience.

Dr. Musiek has published over 180 refereed articles and presented over 400 invited lectures and seminars and nearly 350 papers at national and international conferences, research symposia and other venues around the world. He has developed four clinical audiologic tests, three of which are mainstays of the clinical central auditory test battery. He has published eleven books and authored no fewer than 50 book chapters. His keen research and insight into the areas of central auditory processing and dysfunction, anatomy and physiology of the auditory system and hearing assessment and diagnosis have earned him a national and international reputation as an authority on the human auditory system and hearing. He is presently a Professor in the department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at the University of Arizona.