Kristen Kennedy

Kristen Kennedy serves as an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders within Syracuse University's College of Arts and Sciences, where she functions as a CH-AP certified audiology clinic supervisor specializing in adult and pediatric assessments, central auditory processing disorders, newborn hearing screenings, and amplification with extensive background in educational audiology.

Her academic qualifications include:

• Au.D. from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (2012)
• M.S.Ed. in Speech and Hearing Handicapped from SUNY Fredonia (1992)
• B.S.Ed. in Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped from SUNY Fredonia (1991)
• A.A. from Cayuga Community College (1988)

Research focuses on practical audiology applications including pediatric hearing assessment, hearing aid technology evaluation (particularly OTC devices), central auditory processing diagnostics, and educational audiology interventions. Her work bridges clinical practice with community-based solutions to improve hearing healthcare accessibility and patient outcomes.

Recent publications (2022-2024) reveal concentrated efforts in optimizing hearing aid user experience, understanding psychosocial impacts of hearing loss on communication partners, developing verification protocols for assistive listening devices, and creating public education resources about emerging hearing technologies.

Professional recognition includes:

• Meritorious Poster Submission, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2023)

Kennedy mentors students as Faculty Advisor for the Student Academy of Audiology and secured the A&S Engaged Humanities grant for the "CSD 650 Clinical Practicum" with Syracuse City School District. University service spans committee leadership (CSD Scholarship Committee Chair, Curriculum and Assessment Committee), Faculty Advisory Council for Disability Resources, and First-Year Seminar instruction.

She actively collaborates with community organizations through the Onondaga Head Start Health Advisory Board, Special Olympics volunteering, and Engagement Humanities Network initiatives to extend audiology expertise into public health contexts and address hearing health disparities.