By Tamika McMayo

Levi Reiter, the head of the audiology program at the University for two years and a professor for 26 years, has found an effective way to entice his students about the audiology program. Rapping.

He wrote a rap song for his students to encourage participation, but since it was recorded professionally with the American Speech Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), at least 20 other universities now use his CD, Say Whut, as part of the ASHA recruitment program.

Reiter said that he knew a lot of students listened to rap music and wanted a way “to communicate to them about how great audiology is.” He added, “It’s a cool way to get my ideas across.”

He said that he uses the rap as an ice breaker to loosen up his students for class. Reiter said that he never imagined where his rap song would take him. He only wanted his students to enjoy the subject and to have a “cool” educational tool.

Reiter received his Ph.D. in experimental psychology from the University of Rochester and during his research, he found a way to test hearing objectively in people who cannot volunteer to communicate themselves with other people.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) gave Reiter a grant to further his study. He then found his passion for audiology while doing research at the University of Kansas medical center.

Reiter’s graduate students think highly of him and his teaching. One of his students, Amie Cornelius, said, “Professor Reiter’s mastery of audiology is outstanding.”

Levi Reiter (front, third from left) with some of his audiology students during class.