By Will Bower
Maddie Williams-Kane, a second-year Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) student in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is a graduate student clinician in the new Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic.
Before attending the University of Iowa, Williams-Kane worked in Illinois. She made her way to Iowa in 2024 to study at one of the top audiology programs in the nation.
Learn more about Williams-Kane's journey, what she enjoys about working in the clinic, and more in this Q&A.
Where did your journey in communication sciences and disorders begin?
My journey in communication sciences and disorders began very early in my life. I was diagnosed with hearing loss at the age of six, and after countless visits to the audiologist, I knew exactly what I wanted to be “when I grew up.” After high school, I attended Illinois State University, where I majored in Deaf Education. I have always felt passionate about supporting and advocating for individuals with hearing loss. After earning my bachelor’s degree, I worked for many years as a Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing in rural Illinois, while also completing a master’s degree in special education. And now, here I am—pursuing the dream that my six-year-old self once put into motion.
How did those beginnings inform your choice to pursue an Au.D.?
At the root of my passion for this field has always been equitable access to communication and strong advocacy skills for individuals with hearing loss. My time at Illinois State University and my years as a Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing gave me a deep understanding of how critical early language development is for a child’s academic, social, and emotional growth. At the same time, my own experiences as someone with hearing loss gave me unique insight into the barriers that exist when communication access is limited. I know firsthand how important it is to have a dedicated hearing health care team—one that not only provides the option of amplification, but also supports access to language, to communication, to relationships, and ultimately to the world around you. Pursuing the Au.D. feels like the natural continuation of a lifelong commitment to ensuring that individuals with hearing loss are empowered to thrive.
What do you enjoy most about working in the clinic?
The opportunity to learn and grow as a student clinician. My clinical instructors give [student clinicians] the freedom to try, reflect, and improve, which has been invaluable to my development. I am also incredibly grateful for the time I get to spend with patients. While I have learned so much from my instructors, I would say I have learned just as much from the patients themselves—about their experiences, their resilience, and how to translate what I learn in class into meaningful, patient-centered care.
What have been the most valuable takeaways from working in the clinic?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve taken away is that while seeing patients is just part of my day, for many of them, it’s something they’ve been looking forward to and relying on. They come in with questions, worries, and hopes, and I get to be part of that moment with them. It’s taught me that one of the most important things I can do is simply listen and care—not just treat hearing loss but support the person who’s living with it.
What are your favorite things to do outside of your work/studies at CSD?
I enjoy taking my dog on walks, reading, hosting get-togethers for my friends and family, and exploring! I also online teach American Sign Language classes, which I LOVE doing!