Dr. Patricia Castellanos de Muñoz

Profil

Dr. Patricia Castellanos de Muñoz is the founder and medical director of CEDAF – Hearing Center, in Guatemala City. She is well-known throughout Latin America as a leading expert in audiology, with over 25 years of experience in diagnosing and treating hearing loss in various settings: hospitals, clinics, schools, and philanthropic foundations, for patients of all ages from newborn to elderly.

Since beginning her practice in 1990 as a pioneer in the field of audiology, Dr. Patricia Castellanos continually expands on the strength of several advanced medical degrees by attending annual symposia and training courses with the most highly-respected global manufacturers of hearing loss solutions. Based on international protocols, her innovative options for intervention, together with her extensive knowledge and experience, allow Dr. Castellanos to provide patient services that surpass all other providers in Guatemala and Central America.

CEDAF, Hearing Center is a full-service integrated audiology center dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, management, and rehabilitation of hearing loss in babies, children, teenagers, and adults. Dr. Castellanos and the CEDAF, Hearing Center clinic have:

• Conducted thousands of ABR and OAE tests, the leading test for early hearing screening and diagnosis.
• Fitted and supervised over 7000 hearing aids in children and adults.
• Audiological managed 120 cochlear implant surgeries in Guatemala and other countries.
• Specialized in fitting and programming hearing aids, cochlear implants, middle ear, and bone anchor implants with Ms. Christa Mury de Tobar certified audio prosthetist.

Dr. Castellanos explains: “Early diagnosis and cochlear implant placement are very much related in that cochlear implant is one of the recommended management procedures for children with profound hearing loss, and for adults with progressive hearing loss.”

When children delay speaking and do not pronounce words correctly, or they seem to ignore ambient sounds and lack cognitive ability, these could be indications of hearing loss. Adults could ask you to repeat responses or increase TV volume or tell you they don’t understand your speech above background noises. In these cases, an audiologist should be consulted. There are a variety of audiological tests available to the specialists to allow them to determine with clinical certainty the level of auditory cognizance of a baby, child, or adult. Generally, just one test will be enough to establish a definitive diagnosis.

Inner ear problems should be suspected when someone is experiencing tinnitus or ringing in the ears. Many adults with or without hearing loss suffer from vestibular disorders. Loss of balance or dizziness are strong indicators, and they are the most prevalent symptoms amongst the adult population. CEDAF, Hearing Center is equipped with a specialized vestibular therapeutic center devoted to helping patients regain sure footing and confidence in their mobility.

Whether she is a distinguished guest speaker at sophisticated international ceremonies or diagnosing hundreds of children in the poorest villages, Dr. Patricia Castellanos exudes professionalism, passion, and high standards of care for everyone who has the pleasure of knowing her.

The doctor says, “Every day is different, and a source of tremendous inspiration. We care for the person, their symptoms, and most importantly, the trust that they place in us. We value what they treasure most: Their continued good health.”

Mitgliedschaften

Dr. Patricia Castellanos de Muñoz has been an honored guest speaker at workshops and conventions in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Perú, Ecuador, Bolivia, México, India, Moscow, Philippines, among others. She has also attended courses in England, Germany, Argentina, Switzerland, México, and several cities across the USA.

Vital Voices Global Partnership, Global Entrepreneurship Week, November 2017. FedEx, Platinum Sponsor of the VV GROW Fellowship, is a leading global accelerator for women business owners. They are spotlighting three extraordinary women entrepreneurs who are growing businesses, fighting against inequality and driving positive change in their communities.

• Patricia Castellanos de Muñoz, Guatemala’s only licensed audiologist, joined the Vital Voices VV Grow Fellowship because she wanted to expand her business, empower women, and to help people in her community who could not afford hearing aids. Hear Dr. Castellanos De Muñoz tell her story, and why she encourages women entrepreneurs to chase their dreams.
• La Dra. Patricia Castellanos de Muñoz, la única audióloga autorizada en Guatemala, se unió a Vital Voices VV Grow Fellowship porque quería hacer crecer su negocio, empoderar a las mujeres y ayudar a las personas de su comunidad que no podían pagar los audífonos. Escuche a la Dra. Castellanos de Muñoz contar su historia y por qué anima a las mujeres empresarias a perseguir sus sueños.

Centro de Audición y Adiestramiento Fonético – CEDAF, Hearing Centre

• General Manager, 1990 to 2017
• Supervisor of Therapeutic Services, since 1990
• Audiologist

Coalition on Global Hearing and Health

• Invited Guest every year from 2012 to 2016

Fundacion Sonrisas Que Escuchan – Smiles that Hear Foundation, Guatemala City

• Founder and President, 2009 to 2017

World Conference on Prevention of Deafness

• Attendee,  New Delhi, India, 2015

Pediatric Audiology Conference

• Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2015

Grupo Coclear – Cochlear Implant Program, Guatemala

• Founder and Audiologist, since 2000

Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf, Washington, DC

• Active Member, since 1992

American Academy of Audiology
The American Academy of Audiology is the world’s largest professional organization of, by, and for audiologists. The active membership of more than 12,000 is dedicated to providing quality hearing care services through professional development, education, research, and increased public awareness of hearing and balance disorders.

• International Fellow, 2002 – 2017
• Convention Attendee: Every year from 1996 to 2016

Audiology Foundation of America

• Professional Leadership Award, 2007

Christoffel Blindenmission Internacional – NGO
CBM is an international Christian development organization, committed to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities in the poorest communities of the world. Based on its Christian values and over 100 years of professional expertise, CBM addresses poverty as a cause and a consequence of disability and works in partnership to create an inclusive society for all

• Audiological and educational consultant for Latin America, 1992

Worldwide presentations – CBM:

• Worldwide Meeting for Consultants of Deaf Programs of CBM, Bensheim, Germany 1999, 2001, 2003
• “International Proposals on Hearing Aid Fitting Projects”, Switzerland, 2008
• Worldwide Meeting for Consultants of Deaf Programs, Mombasa, Kenya, 2000

Sociedad Panamericana de Audiologia. Pan American Society of Audiology – PASA

• Active member, 1993- 2012

• • Convention Attendee, Mexico City, 2006
  • Convention guest speaker: “Cochlear Implant Program in Guatemala: Results”, 2003

• Treasurer, 1999

Vital Voices Global Leadership Network
“Our mission is to invest in women leaders who improve the world. We search the world for a woman leader with a daring vision. Then we partner with her to make that vision a reality.”

• “One Hundred Women leaders of Change” award – Presented to Dra Castellanos in 2016

Global Resource for Audiology Information – GRAIN
“We focus on helping to describe current audiological practices world-wide and to foster networking among stakeholders in hearing healthcare. We believe this initiative will help promote standardized audiological practices, to help educate consumers of audiological services, and to facilitate standardization of practice guidelines.”

• Dra Castellanos is the Sub-Regional Resource Editor for Central America

Benemerito Comite Por Ciegos y Sordos de Guatemala Committee for the Blind and Deaf

• Clinical Consultant for Diagnostic Services and Educational Programs for the Deaf
• Audiologist, 1989 to 2001
  

PRESENTATIONS, SEMINARS, CONSULTATIONS – LATIN AMERICA:

BOLIVIA

• “Audiology Education and Rehabilitation for the Deaf”, 2007
• “Early Detection and Diagnosis of Hearing Loss”, for Special Ed teachers, doctors, and language therapists, 2007
• National Conference on Disabilities, 2001
• “Teaching Strategies for Deaf Children: Language and Reading”, 1998

BRAZIL

• Digital Technology – Phonak Hearing Systems, 2009
• “Symposium: Education of Deaf People”, 1993

CHILE

• Colegio Anglicano para Niños Sordos, Santiago, 2003
• Escuela Especial Manuel Rodríguez, La Serena, 2003

COSTA RICA

• “Early Detection and Intervention of Hearing Loss II”, Participants from Mexico to South America, 2003

COLOMBIA

• “Prevention of Hearing Loss”. For South American participants, 2007
• Instituto Para Ciegos y Sordos, Cali, 2005
• Fundación para Débiles Auditivos, Medellín, 2005
• Asocacion de Sordos del Valle – ASORVAL, Cali, 2005
• Instituto nacional de Sordos, Bogotá, 2003
• Asociación de Sordos de Colombia, Bogotá, 2003

CUBA

• Ministry of Health and Education, Advisor, 2007
• Deaf Schools and Cuban Deafness Association, Havana, 1998

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

• Designing Programs and Education for the Deaf, Santo Domingo, 2000, 2007
• Centro Alternativo Experimental del Sordo, Santo Domingo, 2001, 2007
• Centro de Asesoramiento para Sordos (CAES), San Pedro de Macoris, 2002
• Instituto de Ayuda al Sordo Santa Rosa, 1992, 1997, 2001, 2002
• “Developments in Deaf Education”, 1992

ECUADOR

• “Deafness Prevention”, for Doctors and Language Therapists, 2008
• “Project Cycle Management”, 2007
• Programas del Estado para Sordos, Guayaquil, 2004
• Proyecto Esmeraldas para Niños, Esmeraldas, 2003, 2004
• Colegio Mariana de Jesús y Centro Para Oír Mejor, 2002, 2003
• “Mainstreaming and Inclusion of Deaf Children”, 2001
• Instituto Especial para Niños Ciegos y Sordos Mariana de Jesús, 2001
• Instituto Católico de Educación Especial Juan Pablo II, 2001
• Meeting for Advisors of Latin America, 2001
• Regional Project Funding, Quito, 1997

EL SALVADOR

• Escuela Cristiana Para Sordos and Centro de Paralysis Cerebral, 1997, 2001
• “Language Development in Deaf Children and Technological Advances in Audiology, 1999

GUATEMALA

• “Introduction to Audiology II”, for participants from Central and South America, 2009
• “Project Cycle Management”, 2008
• “Auditory Electrophysiology”, 2008
• “Introduction to Audiology”, 2008
• “Auditory Diagnosis in the Autistic Child”, National Convention of Communication Disorders, 2006
• “Audiological Testing in Children”, for parents of autistic children, 2006
• “Hearing Aid Options and Auditory Diagnostic Methods”, 2005
• “Audiological Diagnosis in the Pediatric Population” 2003
• “Early Detection and Prevention of Hearing Loss”, 2002

GUYANA

• Ministry of Health, Joint Development of Hearing Loss Programs, 2008
• Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Research and review, 2006

HAITI

• Haitian School for the Deaf and Instituto Montfort, 1996, 2001

HONDURAS

• Review of Existing Programs for the Deaf, San Pedro Sula y Tegucigalpa, 2008
• Instituto COVA, Consultación, Tegucigalpa, 2005

JAMAICA

• “Preschool Education for Deaf Children”, 1995
• Christian Caribbean Center for the Deaf – Consultation, 1992, 1997

MEXICO

• Panamerican Society for Audiology Convention, 2006
• University Academic Programs of Cuernavaca, 2006, 2007
• ComCare program for Detection of Hearing Loss, Guadalajara, 2000, 2007
• Desarrollo de programas Académicas Universitarios, Cuernavaca, 2006
• “Teaching Methodology for Deaf Children”, Mexico, 2003
• Asociación para Sordos de Morales, Cuernavaca, 1999

NICARAGUA

• Centro Audiológico Los Pipitos – Inauguración, Managua, 2003
• Centro los Pipitos – consultación, Managua, 1991, 1993, 1995

PANAMA

• Worldwide Meeting of Advisors of Christoffel Blindenmission, 2004

PARAGUAY

• San Antonio Provolo Schools for the Deaf, Asuncion, Ministry of Education, 2000

PERU

• Instituto Peruana de Audición y Lenguaje, 2006
• Centro Educativo Para Sordos, Piura, 2006
• “Techniques for the Development of Reading Comprehension in Deaf Children”, 2002
• Instituto Mariana de Jesús, Lima, 2002
• Colegio para Niños Sordos Voces de Silencio, Lima 2002
• Colegio Nuestra Señora de la Paz, Piura, 2002

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

• Tobago School for the Deaf – consultation, 1994, 1996

VENEZUELA

• Centro de Integración Familiar, 2005

Im akademischen Bereich

University of Florida, Miami Florida, USA

• College of Public Health and Health Professions- International Student Award, 2007-2008
• Audiology Foundation of America Professional Leadership Award 2007
• Doctorate in Audiology,  2007
• Advanced course in OAE and ABR testing, 2005

Gallaudet University, Washington DC

• Masters Degree in Education of the Deaf, 1988
  

McGill University, Montreal, Canada

• Specialization in Pediatric Audiology

Universidad del Valle de Guatemala

• Licenciatura en Educacion Bachelor’s Degree in Education, 1989-2006

Continuing Education Seminars:

• Vestibular Diagnostics and Rehabilitation. Tampa, FL, 2009
• Digital Technology – Phonak Hearing Systems. Annually, 2009 to 2016
• Symposium on Cochlear Implants. Seattle, WA, 2008
• Protection against Child Abuse. El Salvador, 2008
• Project Cycle Management. Germany, 2007
• Hearing Care for Adults. Chicago, 2006
• Actualization Course, Cochlear Corporation, Mexico City, 2006
• Digital Technology in Hearing Aids, Siemens. Mexico City, 2005
• Digital Technology in Hearing Aids, Siemens. Argentina, 2003
• Advanced Course in Cochlear Implants. Mexico City, 2003
• Latin American Convention on Cochlear Implants, Argentina, 2002
• Cochlear Implant System Conference and Practicum for Surgeons and Audiologists. Denver, 2000
• Medical Audiology. London, England, 1999
• Technological Advances – Beltone. Orlando, FL, 1996 & 1998
• Prevention of Deafness in Developing Countries, England, 1995
• Specialized Deaf Education – IMAL, Mexico City, 1994

Veröffentlichungen

Come back soon to read articles by or about the Doctor.

Dr. Patricia Castellanos has authored articles and textbook chapters on deafness, audiology, cochlear implants, and other topics of interest that have been published in Latin America since 2003.

A Mayan Founder Mutation is a Common Cause of Deafness in Guatemala, by Patricia Castellanos, Claudia Carranza, Ibis Menendez, Mariana Herrera, Nancy Escobar, et al.

• Published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

The Role of Audiology in Inclusive Education by Patricia Castellanos de Munoz, Au.D.

• Published by ENT News, United Kingdom, 2008

Affordable Hearing Health Care in South America by P. Castellanos and R Brouillete

• Featured Article, published by ENT News, United Kingdom, 2008

Audiological Counselling in a Developing Country: A Journey Through Guatemala by P. Castellanos, B McPherson and R. Brouillete

• Published by Niva Science Publishers, Inc, New York, 2008

Hearing loss in adults

• Published by Central America Doctors, Guatemala, 2020.

Testimonials

Charity, den öffentlichen Dienst, Spenden

Public service and caring for the less fortunate is a way of life in the Latin culture.

Dra. Castellanos is the founder and manager of the Center of Audition and Phonetic Training in Guatemala (CEDAF) and Sonrisas Que Escuchan (Smiles That Listen), the second is her philanthropic organization to treat hearing impaired children and adults in Guatemala. For 8 consecutive years, McDonald’s Corp. of America donates 2000 hearing aids to CEDAF.

“Sonrisas Que Escuchan” is a non-government charity organization founded in 2009, dedicated to the early detection, diagnosis, and management in patients from needy families who do not have the means to pay for private medical attention. The goal is to help hearing-impaired patients to integrate more easily in school, social and work environments.

Through the charitable efforts of Dr. Castellanos’ foundation, teachers, therapists, and doctors, as well as family members, are educated in the methods of detecting and managing hearing loss of the people they love.

We urge you to visit the website and make your contribution to the doctors and therapists who can give the gift of hearing to people who desperately need your help, to hear music, laughter, and a mother’s voice, maybe for the first time in their lives.

www.sonrisasqueescuchan.org.gt

Dra. Castellanos is proud to be an integral advisor of Christoffel Blindenmission Internacional – CBM Organization. CBM is an international Christian development organization committed to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities, in the poorest parts of the world. Based on its values and over one hundred years of professional expertise, CBM addresses poverty as a cause and a consequence of disability. They work in partnership with host countries to create an inclusive society for all.

On 13 December 2006, the United Nations General Assembly introduced the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which provides for measures to be taken by the member states to ensure that persons with disabilities can enjoy their rights under conditions equal to other people. The Convention commits countries that ratify it to recognize that all persons are equal before the law and to prohibit any kind of discrimination on grounds of disability. Guatemala ratified this convention in 2006.

In July 2018, Dra. Castellanos was the presenter and implementor of the Guatemala Hearing Loss Infant Screening and Management in Low Resource Areas Global Grant. This is a joint project of several American and Guatemalan Rotary Clubs, as well as Dr. Paty Castellanos’s “Smiles That Listen” NGO.