203 - Giants of Audiology: Interview with Robert DiSogra, AuD

Dr. Robert DiSogra has had a diverse career spanning industrial, clinical research, teaching, and private practice. He owned and managed his Freehold-based practice for three decades until 2015. Dr. Disogra's extensive teaching experience spans undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, complemented by notable contributions through national and international publications and lectures. Dr. DiSogra is widely recognized for his contributions to understanding the pharmacological effects on hearing and balance among audiologists worldwide. His interest in pharmacology began at Rutgers University over 25 years ago, where he observed a discrepancy between patients' complaints of hearing loss and their test results indicating no peripheral loss. This prompted him to conduct a unprecedented review of evidence, uncovering the influences of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals on hearing loss and tinnitus. In the past two decades, Dr. DiSogra has significantly influenced the field of audiology through a series of publications. He has identified over 400 adverse auditory and vestibular side effects associated with more than 2000 drugs. Furthermore, his pioneering efforts led to the development and teaching of the pharmacology/ ototoxicity distance-learning course at Salus University. This initiative has played a crucial role in integrating pharmacology into audiology education, furthering the understanding of how drugs affect hearing and balance. By 2019, Dr. DiSogra's influence had led to 25 AuD programs offering dedicated pharmacology courses, underscoring the importance of understanding pharmacological connections to hearing and balance disorders. A sought-after presenter at state and national audiology association meetings, Dr. DiSogra has left a lasting legacy in the field. Be sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter). - https://twitter.com/WeekinHearing - https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing - https://hearinghealthmatters.org/thisweek/