Module overview
The purpose of this module is to provide you with knowledge and understanding of the core concepts related to Adult Auditory Rehabilitation including principles of health psychology and signal processing as well as technical and psychosocial aspects of the rehabilitation process. As an Audiologist or Hearing Aid Dispenser this will help you to assess the needs of adult patients with hearing loss and provide patients with accurate and up to date information in order that they can make informed decisions about their management and treatment including devices, equipment and features.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Disciplinary Specific Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Formulate evidence-based recommendations for the rehabilitation of individual patients with common forms of hearing loss and tinnitus based on critical evaluation of a range of sources of information including that shared by the patient and the research literature.
- Explain the process of individualised hearing-aid fitting on the basis of audiometric and other information, including the selection of an ear-mould/shell with appropriate modifications, the verification of the technical performance and other functional properties of a hearing aid (both in a coupler and the real ear), the validation of the fitting and the provision of relevant instructions and information to the particular user.
- Demonstrate mastery of effective self-directed learning, scientific and patient-centred communication.
- Explain and critically analyse the arguments for, and the current consensus on, patient centred rehabilitation for adults with hearing loss, including the assessment and analysis of need, effects of psychosocial factors, the provision of accurate and balanced information regarding management options, the facilitation of the patient’s decision making (especially regarding technology) and the role of communication strategies and tactics.
- Identify and describe a wide range of different technologies (e.g. hearing aids, assistive devices, auditory implants), strategies (e.g. communication), skills (e.g. facilitation) and tools. (e.g. counselling and decision making tools) and other resources potentially available to the audiologist and patient to improve the patient’s hearing-related quality of life and explain their main pros and cons for common forms of hearing loss and psychosocial circumstance.
Syllabus
- Overview of adult auditory rehabilitation and hearing aid fitting.
- Understanding the impact of hearing loss in the context of the World Health Organisation.
- International Classification of Functioning and the biopsychosocial models of disability.
- Psychosocial impact of acquired hearing loss.
- Introduction to hearing aids and components.
- Specification and measurement of electroacoustic characteristics.
- Range of devices and features, advantages and limitations of different options, consideration of the evidence base where appropriate.
- Impressions, ear moulds, earshells and modifications.
- Hearing aid selection and fitting: candidacy, ergonomic considerations, selection of electroacoustic characteristics by prescription methods.
- Verification of hearing aid performance.
- Counselling skills in audiology, including enabling adjustment and change.
- Models of tinnitus distress.
- Tinnitus management approaches.
- Evaluation of auditory rehabilitation.
- Evaluation of tinnitus interventions.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include:
- Traditional classroom style lectures with audio recording of lectures linked to Powerpoint slides using lecture capture software
- Question and answer sessions
- Tutorials as and when required
- Interactive discussion of ethnographic clinical videos and of the IDA motivational and decisions making tools that can assist in the process of shared goal setting and decisions making with patients
- Open door policy by module co-ordinator
- Lectures supplemented by demonstrations in AUDI6011.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 24 |
| Wider reading or practice | 60 |
| Revision | 40 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 26 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Assessment - The module is assessed via a written individual assignment.
Referral - Individual assignment Resubmit previous assignment.
Method of repeat year – If you don’t pass the module overall at first attempt or referral, you will have to repeat the year.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External