Audiology Short Courses / Course details

• Development, Habilitation and Neural plasticity
• Concept of effective amplification
• Screening and assessment
• Fitting aids to infants
• Advanced technological features of digital hearing aids
• Verification measures
• Outcome measures and evaluation methods in the clinic and real world
• Acoustics of speech
• Effective communication
• Radio aid systems
• Multi disciplinary and multi agency approaches to effective amplification
• Case studies: the challenges presented by some audiograms/circumstances
• Management of hearing aid reviews
• Evidence based practice

• Extend knowledge and advance understanding of the management of amplification for infants and deaf children;
• Develop a systematic and holistic approach to amplification to ensure that the fitting of a hearing aid reflects the individual needs and circumstances of a child at any given time.
• Encourage critical, evidence-based practice

• Independent reading
• Discussion board
• Reflective practice
• Recorded lectures
• Online videos
• Clinical-based and independent learning activities
• Problem-based learning.

• Demonstrate critical awareness of the effect that a hearing loss has on the overall cognitive development of a child and the impact of subsequent intervention through amplification, with reference to neural plasticity and age of intervention.
• Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of fitting a hearing aid; verification of the fitting using real ear measurements and the various evaluation procedures used in clinic and real world situations in order to provide a child with effective amplification.
• Demonstrate a critical knowledge of the most recent advanced technological features of digital hearing aids and a critical understanding of how and when these features may be beneficial for an individual child.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the difficulties faced by deaf children in the classroom and the advantages that radio aid systems offer to such children.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the effect that a family-centred approach to the management of a deaf child has on the outcomes for that child.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the importance of information exchange in the management and outcomes for a deaf child.
• Understand and have access to the relevant quality standards and recommended procedures relevant to providing amplification to chidlren

• Critically evaluate current research literature and recent developments in Audiology from both scientific and professional viewpoints and apply the evidence to clinical practice.
• Critically evaluate clinical data to exercise initiative and professional judgement to
• respond to various issues of amplification that may arise in complex clinical situations as determined by the child, the audiogram or circumstances.
• Critically appraise the term 'effective amplification'.
• Critically evaluate local procedures and practices in line with national guidelines.

• Demonstrate capacity for self-learning and independent thinking and to utilise problem solving skills.
• Critically evaluate their personal performance both as an individual and within a team.
• Make informed decisions in complex situations.
• Use library and computer facilities to access relevant information.
• Demonstrate skills in working collegiately and effectively with others as a member of a team.
• Collaborate and network with colleagues, on and off-line, to discuss challenging clinical situations and technological developments.

PCHN60320 (30 credits):

• Online tasks (formative)
• Written assignment 1 (1,000 words, 25%)
• Written assignment 2 (1,000 word plan, 3,000 words, 50%)
• Portfolio (25%).
• Mentor meeting/report

Zero credit version:

• Online tasks (formative)
• Portfolio (100%)
• Mentor meeting/report

Written feedback

• Bagatto, M, Moodie, S, Seewald, R, Bartlett, D, Scollie, S (2011). A Critical Review of Audiological Outcome Measures for Infants and Children. Trends in Amplification 15 (1-2) 23-33.
• Bagatto, M.P., Scollie, S., Moodie, S.T., Seewald, R., Hyde, M., El-Naji, R., Brown, C.L., Beh, K., Glista, D., Hawkins, M. and Easwar, V., 2023. Protocol for the provision of amplification v 2023.01.
• Dillon, H (2012) Hearing Aids (2nd ed.) Boomerang press: Sydney.
• McCreery, R.W. and Walker, E.A., 2017. Pediatric amplification: enhancing auditory access. Plural Publishing.
• Tharpe, A, Seewald, R (2011) Comprehensive handbook of pediatric audiology, San Diego : Plural Publishing