Giving Thanks to an incredible CAOHC Instructional Team!
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would like to take a moment to thank my CAOHC instructional team: Mindy Guillory, Hannah Zdroik, and Juan Vasquez. We have been using a team approach for CAOHC certification courses for years, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The variety of voices and professional perspectives elevates the course and paces the day nicely. Our students are quick to point out how the world-class instructors enhanced their experience in the post-course surveys.
In this limited series, I will shine the spotlight on our instructors. After all, it is the people who make the difference, and I’m proud to have assembled this team!
First up is Juan - a music audiologist and CAOHC Course Director based in Chicago, and has been working with Earmark for over 3 years. You can hear more from Juan on our podcast, Talking Ears, and read more about Juan’s work in a recent NHCA Spectrum interview.
Juan Vasquez, AuD
What got you interested in hearing conservation?
Over the course of my audiology training—and with my background as a musician—hearing conservation felt like the most natural and intuitive path for how I wanted my career as an audiologist to be. The idea of helping preserve the sense of hearing that is largely responsible for how musicians express themselves creatively, is something I wish I was more aware of when I was younger. Hearing conservation supports combining my passions of art and helping others so that everyone can enjoy sound and music for a lifetime.
What is your favorite part of teaching the CAOHC courses?
Having real conversations with students and hearing about their experiences across different locations, industries, and worker populations—many of which I’ve never had direct exposure to. I get to learn more about how we, as hearing conservationists, can break down barriers around hearing wellness and spread that message more widely.
There are big changes coming to the CAOHC courses—official exam prep materials, new textbook, simulator updates. What changes are you excited about?
The new study resources for exam prep definitely stand out to me. I think they’ll support a wide range of learning styles, giving students a solid supplement to the course content and helping them feel more prepared for the final exam.
What is your average workday like when you’re not teaching CAOHC classes?
I’ve been seeing patients via telehealth for virtual consultations, as well as doing some on-site services to bring hearing wellness to musicians that may not easily be able to see an audiologist. These opportunities are driven by one-on-one conversations about ears and hearing and discussing what can be incorporated into work and daily life to maintain hearing health.
What do you do outside of work and teaching?
Lately, I’ve been reading sci-fi books and getting back into creating art—writing, painting, and especially music. I also love watching movies in theaters, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Do you have any new hobbies that you’re not yet great at?
Cooking! I’ve been discovering how much creative freedom there is in combining foods, flavors, and spices to create something nourishing and memorable. This new interest makes me feel more connected to my roots and to nature.
What is your favorite sound?
This tends to change a few times a year, but one sound connected to my new hobby is the soft rattling of sunflower seeds or peppercorns being stirred around in a pan on the stove. It almost creates a continuous, flowing rhythmic layer—like its own kind of music.
If you or your colleagues are in need of CAOHC Certification, you can’t go wrong with the instruction team at Earmark! You can review the course details and book a course on www.earmarkhc.com/CAOHC, or reach out to contact@earmarkhc.com. We look forward to seeing you in a future course!
Sincerely,
Frank Wartinger, AuD
Audiologist / CAOHC Course Director / Owner
Earmark Hearing Conservation