You will be introduced to the higher education learning environment, with specific reference to Hearing Aid Audiology. You will develop the leaning skills that are essential to success on the course and working as a hearing aid audiologist, these include communication and information technology skills. You will develop a thorough understanding of the professional Code of Practice and how to record your development. You will be encouraged to reflect on your learning and to increase your effectiveness as learners. As a result, this module will enable you to learn effectively in higher education, to achieve more effectively the learning outcomes of the modules you will study.
View the full module definitionDevelop your understanding of the nature of the work sector and the environments in hearing aid audiology, performance within these contexts and factors that influence the operation of organisations. You will 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 will also reflect on your current role or potential roles within the sector.
View the full module definitionLearning in the workplace is an integral part of our foundation degree. The work environment provides a rich setting for exploration and discovery of knowledge, skills and understanding. You will focus on these three strands and formulate an integrated approach. Learning about work relates to further developing your knowledge and understanding of the workplace. Learning through work examines practical skills in your current employment. Learning for work explores how your knowledge and skills are developed in a way directly relevant to the workplace. You will reflect on your work practice, critically appraise your performance and report on the experience of learning at work. You will demonstrate information gathering and descriptive skills and demonstrate an awareness of ethical and cultural issues relevant to your practice and studies.
View the full module definitionA 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. You will learn 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 ethical and professional guidelines. You will learn 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.
View the full module definitionA 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 will give you an overview of basic chemistry and biochemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology with specific reference to the ear. It will introduce 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. You will learn to understand the nature of hearing and use this as a foundation for the development of assessment and management skills.
View the full module definitionThe 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 will also develop the skills of impression taking.
You will further develop your understanding of the principles of acoustic science relevant to the assessment of the adult hearing aid patient, including the interpretation and communication of results. The techniques of assessment will be introduced and developed, supported by practical teaching sessions occurring during residential visits. The module includes a practical assessment of pure-tone audiometry with masking.
You will engage with 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 the recognised client management approaches used in practice. You will engage with ongoing self-reflection, and appreciate the wider clinical context in which rehabilitation services are provided.
This module is for the trainee hearing aid dispenser working in a dispensing practice under the supervision of an appropriately registered practitioner. It is delivered by blended (mixture of self-directed distance learning, and face-to-face teaching sessions) learning, with continuous online support. You will develop an 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 will 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 is discussed in the context of the auditory pathology they are being used to manage. You will 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 module is assessed by coursework of 3,000 words or equivalent, which focuses on applications, and limitations, of modern hearing aid technologies in addressing the typical complaints made by people with hearing loss.
View the full module definitionYou will expand your knowledge and skills in assessment of the hearing aid patient. You will be able to investigate topics of your own choosing and this will include practical experience of suprathreshold tests of hearing function such as speech testing.
Building on the experience of Work Based Learning 1 you will be encouraged to continue your exploration of communication skills in your professional/occupational practice, along the strands developed previously, as a source of learning. You will be expected to demonstrate a greater degree of autonomy in the management of their learning, will demonstrate a more detailed knowledge of relevant theoretical underpinning and be able to analyse and evaluate both information and argument. You will be required to demonstrate the application of theory to practice and in particular their communication skills.
A hearing aid audiologist is an autonomous practitioner and must be able to draw together knowledge and skills from different areas of their education and training to apply selectively in particular situations. Here, you will develop enhanced interpretative, evaluative, comparative and problem-solving skills through research and application on your chosen topic.
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