Program in Audiology and Communication Sciences - PACS at WashU Medicine

10/07/2026

We’re happy to welcome Tatyana A. Yakusheva, PhD (Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology), as a new instructor in PACS for Spring 2027! Dr. Yakusheva will teach PACS 8080 Auditory Neuroscience with the 1st-year AuD cohort. Her research focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying motor coordination, balance and spatial navigation in both healthy and diseased brains, with the goal of developing effective treatments and rehabilitation programs. Her research experience will provide students with exceptional learning opportunities!

10/06/2026

Congratulations to the PACS AuD class of 2029!

So proud of WashU Audiology’s Class of 2029 as they celebrated their White Coat Ceremony! Here’s to all the patients, clinical experiences, growth, and memories ahead. ❤️

10/05/2026

Congratulations to AuD students Destiny Kramer (3rd-year) and Makiah Andes (4th-year) who both received a scholarship to attend the Academy of Doctors (ADA) conference held in Minneapolis, MN, Oct. 1-4, 2026. The conference focused on emerging clinical practices, interdisciplinary healthcare collaborations, innovations in hearing technology, and strategies for strengthening independent audiology practice. One of the sessions provided a hands-on mock demonstration of a diagnostic tool used by audiologists.

10/02/2026

We are thrilled to announce that the Program in Audiology and Communication Sciences (PACS) has been awarded another five-year $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. This is the fifth professional training grant received in the last four years that will provide tuition scholarships for students in the Master of Science in Deaf Education (MSDE) and Doctor of Audiology (AuD) programs.

The grant titled, “Project LISTEN: Linking Intervention Services, Teachers, and Educational Audiologists,” will help increase the number of teachers of the deaf and pediatric audiologists who specialize in supporting listening and spoken language development for children who are deaf or hard of hearing (d/hh) ages birth through five years old. Casey Reimer, PhD, Director of Deaf Education Studies is the project director of the grant.

10/02/2026

Recently, our first-year AuD cohort explored the Multidisciplinary Surgical Simulation Lab as part of their Anatomy and Physiology course. Using advanced surgical workstations and microscopes, students examined head and ear anatomy with a focus on the temporal bone and external ear. The next session will include an in-depth study of the middle and inner ear.

Through immersive learning opportunities like this, students connect classroom concepts with the anatomical knowledge essential for clinical audiology practice.

09/28/2026

Congratulations to 4th-year AuD students Rebecca Sims and Kalei Small on receiving scholarships to attend the recent Pediatric Audiology Symposium in Athens, GA. They heard from leading experts in the field covering topics on binaural hearing, cochlear implant candidacy in children with single-sided deafness, and best practices in pediatric hearing aid fitting. What an outstanding experience as they prepare for their futures as audiologists!

09/25/2026

Washington University in St. Louis is hosting a Graduate Programs Virtual Open House on October 22 from 6–7:30 p.m. Central Time, and WashU graduate programs have been invited to participate and connect with prospective students from across the country and beyond.

This virtual event will give prospective students an opportunity to learn about WashU graduate education and connect directly with representatives from participating programs. PACS is participating in this event, so be sure to attend and we will be happy to answer questions!

09/23/2026

Our first student lunch of the academic year was a great success! Thanks to Taco Buddha, students enjoyed a delicious lunch and time to relax and connect between classes. We’re excited to support our students both inside and outside the classroom.

09/22/2026

Are you considering a career as an audiologist, teacher of the deaf, or hearing researcher? Join us for our Virtual Open House on November 13th to learn more about WashU’s AuD, MSDE, and PhD programs! Meet faculty, connect with current students, and learn about admissions and career opportunities. To register, scan the QR code or visit https://pacs.wustl.edu/admissions/tours/openhouse/

09/21/2026

One of our favorite first-year AuD traditions is a visit to the historic anechoic chamber with Electroacoustics instructor Dr. Brent Spehar. Built in 1951 at the Central Institute for the Deaf, this unique space was designed to absorb reflections of either sound or electromagnetic waves while blocking out external noise. Now located at the St. Louis College of Health Careers, the chamber continues to provide PACS students with a hands-on learning experience that brings acoustics and hearing science to life.