A basic understanding of pathological processes is essential to the hearing aid audiologist, so that they can understand the causes of hearing impairment sufficiently to make a correct assessment of whether the patient should be managed or referred, and if the former what kind of management is likely to meet the patient's requirements. This module outlines physiological responses to injury and infection, and changes in structure and function of the auditory system relating to age and environmental factors. It then covers in detail the classification and causes of hearing loss. The module also introduces the practical skills of safely performing otoscopy and identifying and recognising the findings of otoscopy examination, eliciting and recording a patient history, analysis and synthesis of relevant information and communication of the results. This is placed in context of the ethical and professional guidelines introduced in an earlier module. This module will equip you to understand and describe the nature of different hearing impairments and communicate these effectively to co-workers and clients, record information and perform otoscopy in accordance with current professional standards of practice.
This module aims to introduce you to the higher education learning environment, with specific reference to Hearing Aid Audiology. You'll be introduced to the learning context and the responsibilities of the individual learner. You'll be required to develop the skills identified as central to your programme - including communication and information technology skills - and develop a thorough understanding of the professional Code of Practice - and to record this development. In addition, you'll be encouraged to reflect on your learning and to increase your effectiveness as a learner. As a result, this module will enable you to learn effectively in higher education, to achieve more effectively the learning outcomes of the modules studied, the programme and the generic outcomes expected.
A thorough understanding of sound, its measurement and psychological factors in hearing are fundamental to audiology practice. A basic understanding of biological and physical sciences are also essential to the hearing aid audiologist, so that they can understand the scientific basis of hearing sufficiently to make a correct assessment of whether the patient has an impairment and understand the rationale for assessment. This module provides an overview of basic chemistry and biochemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology with specific reference to the ear. This module introduces you to acoustics - the physics of sound, the measurement of sound in practice and in workplace settings, and also the relation between sound and sound perception. This will equip you to understand the nature of hearing and use this as a foundation for the development of assessment and management skills.
The dispensing of hearing aids requires a thorough understanding of the design and performance of the full range of modern hearing aids and their components. This module introduces you to basic electrical circuits, components of hearing aids, sound processing systems, response characteristics and the selection of the appropriate product for a particular patient. You'll also develop the skills of impression taking.
This module introduces you to the principles of acoustic science, the dynamics and characteristics of sound relevant to practicing the standard protocols for the assessment of the adult hearing aid patient, including the interpretation and communication of results. The essential practical techniques of assessment will be introduced and developed during the residential blocks. The module includes a practical assessment which you must pass to pass the module.
This module is intended to support the development of understanding of the nature of the work sector in its broadest sense including the environments in hearing aid audiology, performance within these contexts and factors that influence the operation of organisations. You'll explore the impact of political, social, economic and technological factors on hearing aid audiology and consider the legal and ethical frameworks informing hearing aid audiologists. You'll also reflect on your current role or potential roles within the sector.
Learning in the workplace is an integral part of the foundation degree. The work environment provides a rich setting for exploration and discovery of a range of knowledge, skills and understanding. Three strands formulate an integrated approach to this unit: Learning about work - relates to further developing your knowledge and understanding of the workplace; Learning through work - examines your acquisition of practical skills in current employment; Learning for work - your knowledge and skills are developed in a way directly relevant to the workplace. The module aims to enable you to reflect on your work practice, critically appraise your performance and report on the experience of learning at work. You'll be expected to be able to demonstrate information gathering and descriptive skills with only limited application of higher order evaluative or analytical skills. You'll be expected to demonstrate an awareness of ethical and cultural issues relevant to their practice and studies.
This module is aimed at supporting the your skills training onsite. Your clinical supervisor will play a key role in mentoring, guiding and assessing your progress, signing off on skills when you demonstrate proficiency.
The content of the module is constructed to provide a detailed introduction to the key principles of rehabilitation of adults with acquired hearing loss, knowledge of which is fundamental to successful outcomes for clients under the care of attending for a hearing aid dispenser. There is an evidence-based focus that examines and provides theoretical framework for the recognised management approaches used in practice, with an introduction to strategies used for counselling of tinnitus patients, appropriate to the role of the hearing aid dispenser. You'll be encouraged to provide ongoing self-reflection as part of your developing skills, and to appreciate the wider clinical context in which you provide your rehabilitation service. The essential practical techniques will be introduced and developed during the residential blocks, which will include an interactive session with service users.
The focus of this module is on the development of an appropriate level of understanding of the design and performance of the full range of modern hearing aids and their components. This module provides an in-depth understanding of the components of modern hearing aids and their response characteristics, including discussion of the basic principles of sound processing systems. You'll review the trends in contemporary hearing aid technology and will develop a rationale for the selection of appropriate products for a particular patient, through the critical evaluation and comparison of physical and technical features of systems. Limitations of hearing aid performance will be discussed in the context of the auditory pathology they are being used to manage. You'll understand the role of patient follow-up and will develop further competency in hearing aid adjustment and fine tuning in response to patient needs.
The hearing aid audiologist as an autonomous practitioner must be able to draw together knowledge and skills from different areas of their education and training to apply selectively in particular situations. This module enables you to develop enhanced interpretative, evaluative, comparative and problem-solving skills by considering an agreed topic, through research and application.
This module supplements your knowledge and skills in assessment of the hearing aid patient, including tests of middle ear function, assessment of the paediatric patient, the adjustment of adult and paediatric procedures to generate unequivocal results, and the use of results to select appropriate management strategies including referral.
This module is aimed at supporting your skills training onsite. Your clinical supervisor will play a key role in mentoring, guiding and assessing your progress, signing off on skills when you demonstrate proficiency. This module will include a clinical training component on ear care and wax removal, with additional proficiency sign off as part of the clinical logbook.
This module is aimed at providing better understanding of the hearing aid audiology work sector. Building on the experience of Work Based Learning 1, you'll be encouraged to continue your exploration of communication skills in your professional/occupational practice, as a source of learning. Communication is, perhaps, the most critical aspect of audiological practice, and this will include communication with clients, and with external and internal stakeholders. In this module, you'll be expected to demonstrate a greater degree of autonomy in the management of your learning, a more detailed knowledge of relevant theory from the literature and be able to analyse and evaluate both information and argument. You'll be required to demonstrate the application of theory to practice in their communication skills.