Emily Quigley

I started playing the cello when I was four years old and I have always had a natural appreciation and love of listening to and creating music. As a classically trained musician, hearing is essential to me, as nuances in sound are incredibly important, and even a slight hearing loss can greatly impact musical discernment. This, along with other experiences I have had, has led me to be very passionate about audiology and to pursue my doctorate of audiology degree.

When the Covid-19 pandemic began, and school went online, I took a break from my undergraduate music studies to explore other ways I could find meaning and fulfillment. While working as a nursing assistant in both an assisted living center and with in-home care, I loved the personal interactions I had and the relationships I built with the patients and their families. I observed physical, occupational, and speech therapists transform the lives of many people. These experiences led me to explore these careers more by getting a job at a physical therapy clinic as an aide. I worked with a physical therapist who assessed, treated, and helped people through rehabilitation. I also had the opportunity to observe and shadow the occupational therapists and a speech-language pathologist who worked at the clinic. I found their specialized fields even more interesting.

I returned to school to finish my music degree and decided to pursue an additional degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. I found that I loved each of my CSD classes, but I especially loved my audiology classes. I was intrigued and excited to learn about the fundamentals of human hearing, the intricacies of anatomy of the human ear, cutting edge technology that is available to assist with communication needs, the powerful work audiologists do to promote improved quality of life for many, and how expansive the field of audiology is.

In June 2022, I participated in a therapy abroad trip to Belize. I learned and practiced basic skills of both audiology and speech and language therapy. I gained additional practice with otoscopy and hearing screenings with a variety of people of all ages. I was able to use my Spanish-speaking skills to interpret while providing services and counseling to families.

In Belize, we performed a hearing screening on a young male who had minimal speech and primarily only made guttural vocalizations. During his hearing screening, he reliably responded at only a few frequencies, and only at an intensity greater than 90 dB HL bilaterally. This basic hearing screening was performed with an audiometer that hadn’t been calibrated in some years and not in ideal conditions. This experience instilled in me a deep appreciation for the services, equipment, and access to care available in the U.S. It broke my heart because the boy was very bright yet had very limited options available to him given his access to care. As I translated the counseling to his parents, I was moved by their immense gratitude for the limited information we were able to provide them. They had never been able to have any sort of hearing test, so the limited results we were able to give meant so much to them. It made me appreciate the incredible options in the United States, and I am excited to make a difference in the life of many people whose hearing loss affects their daily life.

In the fall semester of 2022, I took the course Culture and Language in the Health Professions, for which I took a trip to Mexico to work in a clinic. Through classes and discussions before and after the trip, excursions, and work in the clinic in Mexico, I learned to better understand the role of culture, language, and accessibility when working with diverse groups in a clinical setting. At the Clínica del Pueblo, I was able to perform otoscopy, otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), and hearing screenings for children aged 10 days to 13 years old. While serving at the Centro Oaxaqueño de Rehabilitación de Audición y Lenguaje, I was able to observe conditions such as microtia and see several cases of mixed hearing loss diagnosed in older adults.

These experiences gave me insight into more reasons I am enthusiastic to pursue the field of audiology. 

I have also had the opportunity to work as an audiology technician and at the front desk of the Speech-Language-Hearing clinic at the University of Utah since February 2022. I have loved learning about hearing aids and assisting in basic troubleshooting and programming. It has made me curious to understand them better, as I will learn in the audiology program. I have also enjoyed seeing how the clinic is run day-to-day, such as the time needed to schedule different types of appointments, billing, insurance, and talking with patients about their concerns.

I am eager for the opportunity to continue my educational journey in the doctorate of audiology program, and one day become an audiologist.

Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, Salt Lake City, UT                                                    Feb 2022- Present

Outpatient Services Specialist/Audiology Technician 

Performed troubleshooting and provided cleanings for hearing aids. Directly assisted audiologist. Updated program software in hearing aid. Placed stock orders and repairs for hearing aids. Performed data entry and scheduled appointments.

Protronix Controls, Centerville, UT                                                                                   May 2021-Jan 2022

Inside Sales Representative

Managed customer relations. Compiled quotes for a variety of automation parts from multiple manufacturers. Coordinated orders and shipments.

Fairfield Village, Layton UT                                                                                             Mar 2020-Apr 2021

Nurse Assistant 

Provided comprehensive and personalized care to 20+ residents under the direction of nurses. Assisted with activities of daily living and mobility needs; monitored, reported, and charted vitals and patient behavior; ensured the safety of residents amid the pandemic with PPE, screening, and sanitation

Visiting Angels, Layton, UT                                                                                            Apr 2020-Nov 2020

Nurse Assistant 

Provided companionship for a variety of personal care in the homes of clients. Assisted patients maintain their dignity and lifestyle. Assisted clients and their families through end-of-life care.

Wasatch Peak Physical Therapy, Layton, UT                                                                 Sep 2020-May 2021

Physical Therapy Aide

Assisted in the treatment of patients including therapeutic exercise and placing patients on heat, cold, and electrical stimulation under the direction of the physical therapist. Greeted incoming patients and assisted with transport from lobby to physical therapy gym. Cleaned and sanitized equipment and tables continuously and stocked linens and supplies.

Security Service Federal Credit Union, Riverdale, UT                                             March 2017 – June 2018

Member Relations Representative

Served members in person, over the phone, and online; resolved concerns, managed accounts, and performed transactions; kept information confidential.

University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 

GPA: 3.99

Will graduate May 2023

Bachelor of Science

Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders

Bachelor of Arts

Major: Music