BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology) / Course details

This course unit builds on the 1st year PCHN10070 Introduction to Neurosensory Systems 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.

Students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• 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.

Intellectual skills

• 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.

Practical and transferable skills 

• Organisation of notes and thoughts that will allow you to process a range of different types of information available in this course unit.
• Ability to manage your time to allow effective and timely coverage of the online and any face-to-facework required to keep up with the online tests.

• 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.

1. Revision sessions and optional essay (formative)
2. Two online quizzes (10%)
3. Written assignment (3000 words, 90%)

Feedback on MCQ formative assessments plus discussion of previous exam questions and timetabled revision sessions.

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

Essential:
Lenz, J.L. (2018) Psychoacoustics. Plural Publishing. [new, but well written book that covers the majority of material for this unit].

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

Yost, W.A., (2013) Fundamentals of Hearing: An Introduction. 5th Edition. London, Academic Press. [very good book, was the original text book on which this unit was designed].

Supplementary:
Yost, W.A., (2013) Fundamentals of Hearing: An Introduction. 5th Edition. London, Academic Press. [very good book, was the original text book on which this unit was designed].

Durrant, J.D. & Feth, L.L. (2013) Hearing Sciences: A Foundational Approach. Allyn and Bacon. [very good book, especially comprehensive on anatomy and physiology, also very good on acoustics].

Hamill, T.A. (2014) The Hearing Sciences. 2nd Edition. Plural Publishing.

Anatomy & Physiology:
Emanuel, DC, Letowski, T. (2008) Hearing Science. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins [very good acoustics/physics for first 8 chapters; good A&P; more limited psychophysics].

Møller, AR, (2006) Hearing. Academic Press [good clinically related physiology].

Musiek, F.E. & Baran, J.A. (2007) The Auditory System: Anatomy, Physiology & Clinical Correlates. Allyn & Bacon. [v. good A&P].

Raphael, LW, Borden, GJ, Harris, KS. (2007) Speech Science Primer, 5th Ed.

Jahn, A., & Santos-Sacchi, J (2001) Physiology of the Ear 2nd Edition. Singular Press. [comprehensive reference book on A&P].

Psychophysics:
Plack, C.J. (2014) The Sense of Hearing. 2nd Ed.. Lawrence Earlbaum Associates [v. good easy to read].

Moore, B.C.J. (2012). An introduction to the psychology of hearing. 6th Edition. Bingley: Emerald Publishing. [a classic, but some students find it difficult].

Moore, B.C.J. (2007). Cochlear Hearing Loss. Whurr Publishers [similar to above, but more applied, also available from the library as an ebook].