Razan Al Fakir

Razan Al Fakir is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Auburn University. She holds an M.D. in Otolaryngology from Damascus University Hospital (Syria), an Au.D. from Nova Southeastern University, and a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida. Her research focuses on hearing loss, balance disorders, and audiologic rehabilitation, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to patient care. Dr. Al Fakir has extensive clinical experience in Syria and Qatar, including pioneering the Syrian cochlear implant program. She served as a Crawford Research Fellow at the Mayo Clinic, collaborating with otologists, audiologists, and neuroscientists to advance patient-centered care.

Education:

• Ph.D., Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Florida
• AuD., Nova Southeastern University
• M.D., Otolaryngology, Damascus University Hospital

Research Interests: Dr. Al Fakir’s work integrates audiological assessment tools like the HEAR-COMMAND questionnaire and ICF frameworks to evaluate hearing-related disability. She explores the impact of vascular disease on audiovestibular function in aging populations and develops empathy-driven education through virtual reality. Her studies address chronic conditions such as Zenker diverticulum and chronic rhinosinusitis, emphasizing functional outcomes and patient-reported metrics.

Awards:

• 2022 Outstanding Young Alumni Award, University of Florida
• 2016 Crawford Fellowship Award, Mayo Clinic
• 2016 Dean’s Scholar Award, University of Florida

Advising & Grants: As a mentor, Dr. Al Fakir guides students in audiology and geriatric research. Her lab, the ABILITY Lab, focuses on rehabilitative innovations. She has secured grants supporting her work on hearing aid risk assessment (CEDRA tool) and interdisciplinary clinical studies.

Labs & Teams: Director of the ABILITY Lab, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on projects blending audiology, neurology, and geriatric care.