This week in Physical Diagnosis, we learned how to operate an audiometer, a machine used to measure auditory acuity. The machine uses a call and response type of system. The patient wears headphones and is instructed to press a button each time he or she hears a sound. The examiner then records the information.

We measured auditory acuity by setting the machine to different frequencies and increasing the volume by increments of five decibels and recorded the lowest volume the patient heard at each frequency. I remember having the test done as a teenager in high school during my sports physicals. It was a cool lesson and a valuable way to help diagnose sensory vs. conductive hearing loss.

In Functional Rehabilitation, Dr. Wieland taught us how to evaluate core stabilization. He started by demonstrating three positions to do a bridge, each more difficult than the previous position. It started with arms on the table, then arms crossed, and finally arms straight up in the air. Following those three positions, we modified our leg position to either lift off, extend at the knee, or extend at the knee and flex at the hip. I was used as the demonstration for the evaluation and exercises. The simplicity of rehab makes it very appealing to me. If one is unable or has difficulty performing a specific task, the task becomes the exercise with slight modifications as needed. It is simple but effective, and there is a ton of research to support the use of exercise for both pain and dysfunction.

On Friday, an organization known as the Tampa Bay Beach Bums was having a beach volleyball clinic with former U.S. World Champion Sinjin Smith. We gathered at Gulfport Beach for some pickup Two vs. Two Volleyball followed by a question and answer session with Sinjin. It was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot of great tips. I want to start competing in the volleyball tournaments in Gulfport, so this clinic was a great place to start. It was also a great way to spend Friday night. After the sun went down the lights came on and we continued to play volleyball until it started pouring rain. The rain was refreshing after being covered in sand and sweat. I met some friends from school at the bars across the street immediately after and ended up at a brewery playing ping-pong with strangers.

Exams and presentations begin next week, so it was great to get outside for some physical activity before I will be stuck inside studying for the next week. Again it is all about keeping balance between school and extracurricular activities. I think I am doing a pretty good job if I do say so myself.

Thanks for reading! As always if you have any questions please email me at [email protected]