Division of Audiology

The division conducts training in hearing at different levels. We also research the prevalence and causes of hearing loss and how hearing loss can be prevented and avoided.

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The Division of Audiology is responsible for the Audiology study programme , which is a 3-year full-time programme resulting in a degree of bachelor of science in audiology and a professional certification as an audiologist. The programme includes clinical education in close cooperation with the audiology clinic at the Karolinska University Hospital and with other authorized audiology clinics in the Stockholm county.

After completing a bachelor’s degree, it is possible to pursue a master of science in audiology. In Sweden, a master’s degree meets the entry requirement for doctoral studies.

Organisation

Åsa Skjönsberg

Head of Division, Senior Lecturer/Audiologist

News and calendar for the division

Address

Karolinska Institutet
Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology
Division of Audiology
Alfred Nobels Allé 10, level 5
SE-141 85 Huddinge
Sweden

Publications

Peer-reviewed original articles and review articles

Åsa Skjönsberg

Cabello-López A, Chávez-Gómez NL, Torres-Valenzuela A, Aguilar-Madrid G, Trujillo-Reyes O, Madrigal-Esquivel C, Haro-García LC, Skjönsberg Å, Juárez-Pérez CA. Audiometric findings of printing press workers exposed to noise and organic solvents. Int J Audiology 2021; 60: 8-15.

Juárez-Pérez CA, Cabello-López A, Aguilar-Madrid G, Trujillo-Reyes Ó, Torres-Valenzuela A, Fascinetto-Dorantes R, Jiménez-Ramírez C, Skjönsberg Å. Commute times and audiometric findings among adult population in Mexico City. Gac Med Mex 2021; 157: 364-370.

Skjonsberg Å, Heggen C, Jamil M, Muhr P, Rosenhall U. Sensitivity and specificity of automated audiometry in subjects with normal hearing or hearing impairment. Noise Health 2019; 21: 1-6.

Johnson AC, Bogo R, Farah A, Karlsson KK, Muhr P, Sjöström M, Svensson EB, Skjönsberg Å, Svartengren M. Influence of well-known risk factors for hearing loss in a longitudinal twin study. Int J Audiol 2017; 56(sup 1): 63-73.

Bogo R, Farah A, Karlsson KK, Pedersen NL, Svartengren M, Skjönsberg Å. Prevalence, incidence proportion, and heritability for tinnitus: a longitudinal twin study. Ear Hear 2017; 38: 292-300.

Skjönsberg Å, Mannström P. Reduced noise susceptibility in littermate offspring from heterozygous animals of the German waltzing guinea pig. Neuroreport 2015; 26: 593-597.

Bogo R, Farah A, Johnson AC, Karlsson KK, Pedersen NL, Svartengren M, Skjönsberg Å. The role of genetic factors for hearing deterioration across 20 years: a twin study. J Gerontol: Med Sci 2015; 70: 647-653.

Skjönsberg Å, Duan M, Johnson AC, Ulfendahl M. Effect of auditory stress agents on heterozygous German waltzing guinea pigs. J Otol 2014; 9: 179-190.

Le Prell CG, Johnson AC, Lindblad AC, Skjonsberg A, Ulfendahl M, Guire K, Green GE, Campbell KCM, Miller JM. Increased vitamin plasma levels in Swedish military personnel treated with nutrients prior to automatic weapon training. Noise Health 2011; 13: 432-443.

Skjonsberg A, Bucinskaite V, Laurell G, Ulfendahl M. Augmented ototoxic effect of cisplatin in heterozygotes of the German waltzing guinea pig. Audiol Neurotol 2008; 13: 97-104.

Skjonsberg A, Halsey K, Ulfendahl M, Dolan DF. Exploring efferent-mediated DPOAE adaptation in three different guinea pig strains. Hear Res 2007; 224: 27-33.

Jin Z, Mannstrom P, Skjonsberg A, Jarlebark L, Ulfendahl M. Auditory function and cochlear morphology in the German waltzing guinea pig. Hear Res 2006; 219: 74-84.

Skjonsberg A, Herrlin P, Duan ML, Johnson AC, Ulfendahl M. A guinea pig strain with recessive heredity of deafness, producing normal-hearing heterozygotes with resistance to noise trauma. Audiol Neurotol 2005; 10: 323-330.

Halsey K, Skjonsberg A, Ulfendahl M, Dolan DF. Efferent-mediated adaptation of the DPOAE as a predictor of aminoglycoside toxicity. Hear Res 2005; 201: 99-108.

Duan M, Bjelke B, Fridberger A, Counter SA, Klason T, Skjonsberg A, Herrlin P, Borg E, Laurell G. Imaging of the guinea pig cochlea following round window gadolinium application. Neuroreport 2004; 15: 1927-1930.

Allison Mackey

Hoeve, HLJ., Geodegebure, A., Carr, G., Davis, A., Mackey, AR., Bussé, AML, Uhlén, IM., Qirjazi, B., Kik, J., Simonsz, HJ., & Heijnsdijk, EAM. Modelling the cost-effectiveness of a newborn hearing screening programme: usability and pitfalls. International Journal of Audiology, 2023;Feb 17:1-7.

Kik J, Heijnsdijk EAM, Mackey AR, Carr G, Horwood AM, Fronius M, Carlton, J, Griffiths HJ, Uhlén IM, Simonsz HJ, & the Country-Committees Joint-Partnership of the EUS€REEN Study Consortium. Availability of data for cost-effectiveness comparison of child vision and hearing screening programmes. Journal of Medical Screening, 2022, 7:9691413221126677.

Mackey, AR, Bussé, AML, Del Vecchio, V., Mäki-Torkko, E., Uhlén, IM. Protocol and programme factors associated with referral and loss to follow-up from newborn hearing screening: a systematic review. BMC Pediatrics, 2022;22(1):473.

Mackey AR†, Bussé AML†, Hoeve HLJ, Goedegebure A, Carr G, Simonsz HJ, et al. Assessment of hearing screening programmes across 47 countries or regions II: coverage, referral, follow-up and detection rates from newborn hearing screening. International Journal of Audiology. 2021;60(11):831-840.   († Dual first authorship)

Bussé AML†, Mackey AR†, Hoeve HLJ, Goedegebure A, Carr G, Uhlén IM, et al. Assessment of hearing screening programmes across 47 countries or regions I: provision of newborn hearing screening. International Journal of Audiology. 2021;60(11):821-830.   († Dual first authorship)

Bussé AML†, Mackey AR†, Carr G, Hoeve HLJ, Uhlén IM, Goedegebure A, et al. Assessment of hearing screening programmes across 47 countries or regions III: provision of childhood hearing screening after the newborn period. International Journal of Audiology. 2021;60(11):841-848.   († Dual first authorship)

Verkleij ML, Heijnsdijk EAM, Bussé AML, Carr G, Goedegebure A, Mackey AR, et al. Cost-Effectiveness of Neonatal Hearing Screening Programs: A Micro-Simulation Modeling Analysis. Ear and Hearing. 2020;42(4):909-916

Bussé AML, Hoeve HLJ, Nasserinejad K, Mackey AR, Simonsz HJ, Goedegebure A. Prevalence of permanent neonatal hearing impairment: systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis. International Journal of Audiology. 2020;59(6):475-485.

Uhlén I, Mackey A, Rosenhall U. Prevalence of childhood hearing impairment in the County of Stockholm–a 40-year perspective from Sweden and other high-income countries. International Journal of Audiology. 2020: 59(11), 866-873.

Mackey AR, Hodgetts WE, Small SA. Maturation of bone-conduction transcranial and forehead attenuation using a measure of sound pressure in the ear canal. International journal of audiology. 2017;57(4):283-290.

Mackey AR, Hodgetts WE, Scott D, Small SA. Maturation of Mechanical Impedance of the Skin-Covered Skull: Implications for Soft Band Bone-Anchored Hearing Systems Fitted in Infants and Young Children. Ear and hearing. 2016;37(4):e210-e223.

Johnsrude IS, Mackey A, Hakyemez H, Alexander E, Trang HP, Carlyon RP. Swinging at a cocktail party: voice familiarity aids speech perception in the presence of a competing voice. Psychological Science. 2013 Oct;24(10):1995-2004.

Hollenstein T, McNeely A, Eastabrook J, Mackey A, Flynn J. Sympathetic and parasympathetic responses to social stress across adolescence. Developmental Psychobiology. 2012 Mar;54(2):207-14

Levine B, Svoboda E, Turner GR, Mandic M, Mackey A. Behavioral and functional neuroanatomical correlates of anterograde autobiographical memory in isolated retrograde amnesic patient M.L. Neuropsychologia. 2009 Sep;47(11):2188-96

Satu Turunen-Taheri

Turunen-Taheri S, Edén M, Hellström S, Carlsson P-I. Rehabilitation of adult patients with severe-to-profound hearing impairment – why not cochlear implants? Acta Oto-Laryngol 2019; 139: 604-611.

Turunen-Taheri S, Carlsson P-I, Johnson A-C, Hellström S. Severe-to-profound hearing impairment: demographic data, gender differences and benefits of audiological rehabilitation. Disabil Rehabil 2019; 41: 2766-2774.

Turunen-Taheri S, Skagerstrand Å, Hellström S, Carlsson P-I. Patients with severe-to-profound hearing impaiment and simultaneous severe vision impairment: a quality-of-life study. Acta Oto-Laryngol 2017; 137: 279-285.

Brännström KJ, Holm L, Larsson J, Lood S, Notsten-Widman M, Turunen-Taheri S. Occupational stress among Swedish audiologists in clinical practice– reasons for being stressed. Int J Audiol 2016; 55: 447-453.

Brännström KJ, Båsjö S, Larsson J, Lood S, Lundå S, Notsten-Widman M, Turunen-Taheri S. Psychosocial work environment among Swedish audiologists. Int J Audiol 2013; 52: 151-161.

Pernilla Videhult Pierre

Fransson A, Videhult Pierre P, Risling M, Laurell G. Inhalation of molecular hydrogen, a rescue treatment for noise-induced hearing loss. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15: 658662.

Videhult Pierre P, Rasmussen JE, Nikkhou Aski S, Damberg P, Laurell G. High-dose furosemide enhances the magnetic resonance signal of systemic gadolinium in the mammalian cochlea. Otol Neurotol 2020; 41: 545-553.

Cortés Fuentes IA, Videhult Pierre P, Engmér Berglin C. Improving clinical outcomes in cochlear implantation using glucocorticoid therapy: a review. Ear Hear 2020; 41: 17-24.

Videhult Pierre P, Eklöf M, Smeds H, Asp F. Cochlear implantation with the CI512 and CI532 pre-curved electrode arrays: one year speech recognition and intraoperative thresholds of electrically evoked compound action potentials. Audiol Neurotol 2019; 24: 299-308.

Pirttilä K, Videhult Pierre P, Haglöf J, Engskog M, Hedeland M, Laurell G, Arvidsson T, Pettersson C. An LCMS-based untargeted metabolomics protocol for cochlear perilymph: highlighting metabolic effects of hydrogen gas on the inner ear of noise exposed guinea pigs. Metabolomics 2019; 15: 138.

Videhult Pierre P, Fransson A, Kisiel MA, Damberg P, Nikkhou Aski S, Andersson M, Hällgren L, Laurell G. Middle ear administration of a particulate chitosan gel in an in vivo model of cisplatin ototoxicity. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13: 268.

Fransson AE, Kisiel M, Pirttilä K, Pettersson C, Videhult Pierre P, Laurell GFE. Hydrogen inhalation protects against ototoxicity induced by intravenous cisplatin in the guinea pig. Front Cell Neurosci 2017;11: 280.

Videhult Pierre P, Haglöf J, Linder B, Engskog MKR, Arvidsson T, Pettersson C, Fransson A, Laurell G. Cisplatin-induced metabolome changes in serum: an experimental approach to identify markers for ototoxicity. Acta Oto-Laryngol 2017; 137: 1024-1030.

Engmér Berglin C, Videhult Pierre P, Ekborn A, Bramer T, Edsman K, Hultcrantz M, Laurell G. Local treatment of the inner ear: a study of three different polymers aimed for middle ear administration. Acta Oto-Laryngol 2015; 135: 985-994.

Videhult Pierre P, Johnson AC, Fridberger A. Subjective and clinically assessed hearing loss; a cross-sectional register-based study on a Swedish population aged 18 through 50 years. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123290.

Pierre PV, Fridberger A, Wikman A, Alexanderson K. Self-reported hearing difficulties, main income sources, and socio-economic status; a cross-sectional population-based study in Sweden. BMC Public Health 2012; 12: 874.

Berglin CE, Pierre PV, Bramer T, Edsman K, Ehrsson H, Eksborg S, Laurell G. Prevention of cisplatin-induced hearing loss by administration of a thiosulfate-containing gel to the middle ear in a guinea pig model. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2011; 68: 1547-1556.

Pierre PV, Wallin I, Eksborg S, Ehrsson H. Quantitative liquid chromatographic determination of intact cisplatin in blood with microwave-assisted post-column derivatization and UV detection. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2011; 56: 126-130.

Pierre PV, Engmér C, Wallin I, Laurell G, Ehrsson H. High concentrations of thiosulfate in scala tympani perilymph after systemic administration in the guinea pig. Acta Oto-Laryngol 2009; 129: 132-137.

Videhult P, Laurell G, Wallin I, Ehrsson H. Kinetics of cisplatin and its monohydrated complex with sulfur-containing compounds designed for local otoprotective administration. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2006; 231: 1638-1645.

Videhult P, Yachnin J, Jerremalm E, Lewensohn R, Ehrsson H. Synthesis and cytotoxicity of the dihydrated complex of oxaliplatin. Cancer Lett 2002; 180: 191-194.

Jerremalm E, Videhult P, Alvelius G, Griffiths WJ, Bergman T, Eksborg S, Ehrsson H. Alkaline hydrolysis of oxaliplatin – isolation and identification of the oxalato monodentate intermediate. J Pharm Sci 2002; 91: 2116-2121.

Katrin Vonderschen

Vonderschen K, Wagner H. Detecting interaural time differences and remodeling their representation. Trends Neurosci 2014; 37: 289-300.

Felix RA 2nd, Vonderschen K, Berrebi AS, Magnusson AK. Development of on-off spiking in superior paraolivary nucleus neurons of the mouse. J Neurophysiol 2013; 109:2691-2704.

Staff and contact

Head of Division

All members of the group

Research at the division

A hearing disorder may be present at birth or be acquired later in life. It can result in hearing loss and/or tinnitus. Common causes are older age, disease, genetic defect, and noise exposure. At the Division of Audiology, research is performed mainly on the prevalence, causes, and prevention of hearing disorders.

Education at the division

Undergraduate studies

The work includes hearing assessment, hearing aid fitting as well as investigating how to prevent hearing loss in workplaces and public places. As an audiologist, you also have an important educational role and teach patients both individually and in groups.

The audiology program is interdisciplinary and includes technical, medical and behavioral sciences. The training focuses on the hearing-impaired individual’s needs in terms of hearing, hearing impairment, hearing rehabilitation, hearing technology and fitting of hearing aids.

A central area of the program is the communication with patients in the assessment and rehabilitation. The program also emphasizes the importance of a scientific approach which is integrated with the latest findings from current research in the form of scientific papers and projects. The last term includes an individual project.

How do I become an audiologist?

The audiology program at Karolinska Institutet is three years and includes both theoretical and clinical education. The studies conclude with a Bachelor of Medical Science with a major in Audiology as well as a Bachelor of Science in Audiology both of 180 credits. The degrees are eligible for certification, awarded by the National Board.

Internationalisation

Exchange studies

At the audiology program, it is possible to attend exchange studies on Arteveldehogeschool in Ghent, Belgium, in the framework of the Erasmus program. This exchange program includes three months to one semester. There is also an Exchange program at the University of Illinois, USA which includes studies for one semester.

Contact us

Åsa Skjönsberg

Program director

Annica Hagerman Sirelius

Director of undergraduate studies

Monica Beckius Hellgren

Administrator