Samuel R. Atcherson

Samuel R. Atcherson, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Health Professions, with a secondary appointment in the UAMS College of Medicine Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. A nationally recognized leader in audiology, he brings unique insight as a person with lifelong hearing loss from childhood.

His research centers on three interconnected domains: audiologic rehabilitation (developing solutions like transparent face masks and amplified stethoscopes, including an NIH-funded project); auditory electrophysiology (applying clinical evoked potential systems to hearing, auditory processing, and balance disorders); and health literacy/disparities (improving accessibility of health materials for people with disabilities, with emerging AI applications). His work addresses fundamental human rights to communication and healthcare access through multidisciplinary collaboration.

Key recognition includes:

• Distinguished Scholar Fellow of the National Academies of Practice

Dr. Atcherson has secured over $477,000 in research funding, including NIH support for assistive technology development. As an educator and mentor, he has guided numerous students while publishing extensively across peer-reviewed journals, textbooks, and conference presentations. His collaborative network spans audiology, deaf studies, speech-language pathology, dental hygiene, and orientation services for the blind/visually impaired.

Current initiatives focus on expanding AI-driven health literacy tools and refining assistive devices through multidisciplinary teams addressing health disparities for individuals with hearing loss and other disabilities.