Wichita State University student Jessica York is researching whether children with orofacial myofunctional disorders face a higher risk of middle ear infections and hearing loss. Her work explores how muscle abnormalities may affect auditory health.

Wichita State University's research emphasis includes opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and staff, and extends across campus from aerospace to ancient civilizations and business administration to biochemistry. 

Jessica York, senior in communication sciences and disorders 

Garden City, Kansas

Auditory Function in Children with Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders 

Dr. Cynthia Richburg, professor of audiology and program coordinator 

I began the honors track of my major, which gave me the opportunity to work with one of my professors on a research project. 

The research topic I covered was the middle ear function, whether there was a higher rate of ear infections and pathologies in kids with orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs), which is caused by muscle abnormalities. 

The average person may find it interesting that having OMDs can be connected to an increased chance of ear infections. 

This was my first experience with research, and it was very positive. I was able to learn about the process of collecting and analyzing data and presenting the project and its findings in a professional manner. My faculty mentor was wonderful and helped me to learn about the research process and what skills are necessary to succeed. 

I’ve learned about the process of conducting and recording data and how that data is stored, analyzed and discussed. I have also learned about collaborating with others in many different settings through every stage of the process. 

I’m entering graduate school to become a speech-language pathologist, so having this experience will give me a better understanding of children entering speech therapy for OMDs and the potential auditory issues they can experience. 

Being involved in research is a wonderful experience that will help you grow as a student and a future professional, especially if it is in an area that you are interested in. 

Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D and No. 8 overall for engineering R&D.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

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