Practical Audiology

The course includes:

• brief revision of the anatomy and physiology of the ear and the effects and impacts of various types and degrees of hearing loss
• epidemiology of deafness
• psychoacoustics
• fundamentals of the assessment of hearing for both adults and children
• mechanisms of auditory processing and the assessment of auditory processing disorder
• principles and practices of amplification and speech processing in digital hearing aids and cochlear implants
• room acoustics, sound level meters and noise-induced hearing loss
• classroom acoustics and radio aids
• practical skills in hearing testing and hearing aid function.

Who is it for?

The course is designed for Speech and Language Therapists and other professionals with experience of working with clients with hearing disorders.

Timetable

The Practical Audiology module will run over four Tuesdays in May/June. This includes both theory and lab classes.

Term 3

May: Tuesday 28 May 2024
Jun: Tuesday 4, 11 and 18 June 2024

Benefits

The key takeaways from this course are the knowledge and skills that are essential for the assessment and management of hearing loss in children and adults.

This short course module is designed to be flexible in allowing you to study and reach your goals at your own pace. Our health CPD courses are credit-bearing modules that contribute to a University degree or award.

Transfer course credits towards postgraduate taught degree

As a health care professional, once you've completed this course you could offset 15 credits as part of a postgraduate programme, continuing your study with further modules to make up a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) 60 credits, Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) 120 credits or Master of Science (MSc) 180 credits qualification (all credits must be awarded within five years of study commencing).

By the end of the course you will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding:

• Demonstrate understanding of the anatomy, physiology and pathology of the ear.
• Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between sounds that enter the ear and the sensations which they produce, both in normal and impaired ears.
• Demonstrate critical understanding of the various diagnostic audiometric procedures.
• Demonstrate critical understanding of amplification as a significant factor in the reduction of disability to individuals with a hearing impairment.
• Appraise the principles and practices of hearing aid Audiology.
• Outline and synthesise the work carried out in the field of auditory processing disorder.
• Demonstrate critical understanding of room acoustics, classroom amplification and noise surveys.
• Develop and critically evaluate an area of your own choice within the field of Audiology.

Skills:

• Engage confidently in academic and professional communication.
• Critically evaluate and synthesise relevant research from a range of sources.
• Carry out hearing assessments and interpret data with precision.
• Consider rehabilitation options, including programming and checking hearing aids.

Values and attitudes:

• Show respect and tolerance for other people in the group.
• Correctly reference the work of other people.

Teaching

The course will be delivered via lectures, tutorials and labs, totalling 30 hours.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a poster presentation designed to show your critical understanding of an aspect of habilitative audiology, and your ability to appraise the key principles and practices.

The poster will demonstrate your ability to develop and evaluate your chosen area.

The course is worth 15 level 7 credits, which can be used towards an MSc in Speech, Language and Communication (advanced Practice)

Credits

This course is worth 15 credits toward eligible programmes.

• First or second-class honours degree or equivalent in an appropriate subject
• The Licentiate Diploma of the Royal college of Speech and Language Therapists is also accepted
• Individuals with less than a second-class degree will be considered where they have substantial relevant experience (that is, clinical, teaching or other relevant professional experience).

English requirements

If your first language is not English, one of the following is required:

• A first degree from a UK university
• A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by City, University of London as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions from Australia, Canada or the United States of America.
• International English Language Test Service (IELTS) a score of 7.0 is required with no subtest below 7.0
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) score 72 required
• TOEFL 100 overall with 24 in Writing, 20 in Listening, 19 Reading and 20 Speaking
• Other evidence of proficiency in the English language, which satisfies the board of studies concerned, including registration with your professional regulator.

• Ballantyne, J. et al, (2009; 7th Ed), Deafness
• Dillon, H. (2012; 2nd Ed) Hearing Aids
• Durrant, J.D. & Lovrinic J.H. (1995), Bases of Hearing Science
• Katz, J. (Ed) (2014; 7th Ed), Handbook of Clinical Audiology
• Brian C. J. Moore. (2014), An Introduction to the Psychology of Hearing
• Stephens, D. (2010), Living with Hearing Difficulties
• Wolfe, J. (2020), Audiological Management and Considerations for Implantable Hearing Devices