BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology) / Course details

This course unit builds on the 1st year PCHN10070 Introduction to Audiology and PCHN10050 Audiological Science I - Physics and Measurement. Students will gain a detailed understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the auditory system and will be able to relate the perception of sound to the underlying anatomy and physiology. The physiological basis of common audiological assessments and the basics of perception will be discussed. Students will understand how cochlear hearing loss affects the perception of sound. 

The unit aims to provide detailed knowledge and understanding of the human auditory system, including the physiological basis of auditory perception, and the ways in which auditory perception is affected by hearing loss. 

• Anatomy & physiology of the auditory system.  
• Physiological basis of audiological measurements.  
• Introduction to psychophysics.  
• Loudness, frequency selectivity, pitch, spatial hearing.  
• Speech production and speech perception.  
• Effects of hearing impairment on auditory perception. 

Online pre-reading material.
Lectures/Tutorials with in-class discussion. 

• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the peripheral auditory system and of the key ascending pathways of the central auditory system from the cochlea to the cortex.  
• Explain how the structure and function of the peripheral auditory system allows for efficient transmission, transduction and encoding of the auditory signal.  
• Explain the basic principles of auditory sensitivity, loudness & frequency selectivity, sound localisation, pitch, and speech perception & how these are affected by cochlear hearing loss.  
• Describe some of the basics of psychophysical methods used in the assessment of hearing.  
• Explain how some of the basic clinical audiological tests relate to the underlying physiological mechanisms. 

• Demonstrate evidence of academic reading relating to the content covered by this course unit.  
• Demonstrate critical thinking and analysis by producing clear and coherent explanations of a range of aspects of audiological science.
• Demonstrate ability to support knowledge and understanding with that from pre-requisite units. 

• Effectively organise notes and thoughts that will allow you to process a range of different types of information available in this course unit.
• Effectively use online pre-reading material to prepare for face-to-face sessions. 

• Assimilate information from a variety of resources.
• Search, Select and extract appropriate information from appropriate academic resources. 

Formative MCQ questions

Summative assignment (mid-semester, 1000-1500 words) - 40%

Summative Unseen Exam (on-campus) - 60%

In-class feedback in response to questions

Group Feedback on formative MCQ quizzes

Feedback on summative assignment via Turnitin

Written feedback sheets for summative exam 

More specific references to journal articles will be provided in lectures (some of these books may be available as ebooks through the library)

Essential:  

• Lenz, J.L. (2025) Psychoacoustics. Plural Publishing. 2nd Ed (2nd edition may or may not be available, but 1st edition 2018 is the alternative)

Recommended:

• Gelfand, S.A. (2017) Hearing: an introduction to psychological and physiological acoustics. 6th Edition. New York, Dekker.

Supplementary:  

• Musiek, F.E. & Baran, J.A. (2018) The Auditory System: Anatomy, Physiology & Clinical Correlates. 2nd Ed. Allyn & Bacon.
• Eggermont, J.J. (2017) Hearing Loss: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment. Academic Press

Psychophysics:  

• Plack, C.J. (2023) The Sense of Hearing. 4th Ed.. Routledge
• Moore, B.C.J. (2012). An introduction to the psychology of hearing. 6th Edition. Bingley: Emerald Publishing