Master's Level Modules in Audiology

Four Master's level modules in audiology are currently available to external students. Each module is run over a two-week period and provides 7.5 ECTS points or 15 M-level credit points and can be used as part of the Higher Training Scheme.

The modules are a component of the MSc Audiology programme, and you will work with MSc students. The modules are run according to the "problem-based learning" method in which students must solve clinical and scientific problems, drawing on relevant fundamental and clinical information and using team working and critical evaluation skills.

The principle of PBL is for students to start with a (clinically) relevant problem and work towards a solution to the problem. The problem is open-ended and there is no "right answer". The work starts by defining what needs to be found out, or discussed, in order to reach a solution to the problem. With group PBL, individuals are allocated tasks and bring back what they have found out to the group for discussion. This will normally lead to further tasks and this process iterates until a satisfactory solution is reached, or time runs out.

Timetable of modules

Module

Module dates

Applied research methods

 30th January to 17th February 2012 

Diagnostic audiology

20th February to 9th March 2012
Paediatric audiology

16th April to 4th May 2012
Tinnitus in adults: it's consequences and management

8th to 25th May 2012

Applied research methods

The aim of this module is to enable you to plan, perform and evaluate the conceptual, practical and reflective components of a research project. The course consist of two parts: The first week is an intensive introduction into statistics with lectures, exercises and computer classes. You will be introduced to basic statistical data analysis using SPSS. In the second week you will perform a mini-project in a small group. You will be supervised to plan, execute, analyse and write up a project of your own choice that you then present to the whole class.

Module co-ordinator: Dr Stefan Bleek sb1@isvr.soton.ac.uk

Diagnostic audiology

  • Which tests, or sequences of tests, actually provide useful information in the context of audiovestibular assessment?

  • Which tests we commonly use are worth using, which are worth consigning to the audiological dustbin and which are of uncertain efficacy?

  • And perhaps most importantly, are our patients actually better off for having the tests we regularly use, or are encouraged to use?

You may not learn all the answers to all of the questions during this module, but you will learn the tools to help you to answer them (as well as answering a few along the way). You will hopefully never look at "diagnostic" testing the same way again.

This module can be thought of as a combination of audiovestibular assessment and "defence against the dark arts" (excuse the Harry Potter reference). Using principles of clinical epidemiology, clinical reasoning and evidence-based patient-centred practice, you will develop your capabilities to ask answerable clinical questions for individual patients (from your experiences), to locate research evidence and to critically evaluate research evidence in the context of your patient, your and your patient's circumstances and the restricting factors.

Various activities will stimulate you to challenge current dogma, reflect on your own biases, beliefs and practice, be creative, collaborate effectively and develop scientifically credible arguments to subject patients to assessment tools and to use healthcare resources doing so. While this module is focussed on audiovestibular assessment, you will be able to generalise much of what you have learnt to many other areas of clinical practice.

Module co-ordinator: Dr Daniel Rowan dr@isvr.soton.ac.uk

Tinnitus in adults, its consequences and management

Audiological disorders can result in hearing loss, tinnitus and balance disturbance. These symptoms can have significant effects on people’s lives. Techniques exist which allow Audiologists and clients to jointly manage these effects. In this module, you will work in groups to investigate the consequences of disorders, the management strategies available to alleviate these consequences, and the assessment of the effectiveness of these interventions. You will undertake tasks aimed to develop your skills for effective clinical decision making and evidenced-based practice. These tasks will be assessed. The activities will stimulate you to challenge customary wisdom and reflect on your own practice. You will develop your skills for researching the evidence base, synthesising information from diverse sources, critical analysis and evaluation, collaborative team working and communication, in spoken and written formats.

Module co-ordinator: Emma Mackenzie ep@isvr.soton.ac.uk 

Paediatric audiology

The aim of the module is to develop your critical thinking skills in relation to problems in the audiological assessment and management of children, with particular reference to infants. The module involves collaborative group work leading to the development of an evidence-based clinical protocol for paediatric audiology. A typical example would be a protocol for assessment and management of babies who fail a neonatal hearing screening test. This would involve evaluation of evidence for different forms of objective hearing assessment in young infants and an assessment of the operational aspects of following up babies referred from a neonatal hearing screening programme.

Module co-ordinator: Dr Carl Verschuur cav@isvr.soton.ac.uk

Further information

If you would like specific information about each module, please contact the module co-ordinator indicated above.

For the 2011/12 academic year, the price will be £799 per module. The price includes use of all university learning resources during the module, and gaps within or between modules, (including computers, online resources and subscriptions, libraries etc) and administration fees.

The price does not include residential costs or costs for food and transport etc. Short stay accommodation information can be obtained from the Accommodation Office; the department cannot take responsibility for the provision of the accommodation or related facilities.

Please contact us for an application form, and please forward your CV with your application.