BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology) / Course details

This unit builds on the basic overview of the vestibular system covered in the 2nd year and covers the different assessment and management techniques used in patients with balance problems.

The unit aims to:

• To provide students with knowledge of the theoretical and practical bases of vestibular assessment and rehabilitation.

Students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Describe the anatomy and physiology of the vestibular system and current theories of vestibular dysfunction.
• Describe the essential components of a comprehensive history and its role in assisting diagnosis.
• Explain the role of balance function testing and the difference between 'clinical bedside/office' and 'clinical laboratory testing'.
• Understand the different forms of management or treatment of vestibular disorders.
• Explain the role of assessment and treatment of BPPV.
• Explain the role of specialist testing in diagnosing vestibular disorder.
• Describe the different forms of management or treatment of vestibular disorders.
• Describe the role of the multidisciplinary team in diagnosing and treating balance disorders.

Intellectual skills

• Scholarly conduct including academic reading, critical thinking and analysis, and persuasion through rational argument.

Practical skills

• Use of IT to assist clinical decisions; Use of library and electronic resources; Interpretation of clinical results.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

• Academic reading.
• Use of library.

• Anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the vestibular system, anatomy and physiology of the oculomotor system.
• History taking.
• Clinical bedside/office testing.
• Oculomotor Assessment.
• BPPV testing.
• Calorics.
• Advanced testing (vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and video head impulse testing).
• Vestibular Rehabilitation.
• Medical Management of Vestibular Disorders.
• Over view of epidemiology of dizziness and outcome measures in the Vestibular clinic.

Blended learning: self-study via softchalk, on campus tutorials and practicals, additional independent reading, pre practical revision tasks and case histories. On campus sessions are Covid-19 dependent, and may be changed to live online sessions via zoom if necessary.

NB. Pre practical revision tasks and practicals (to assess IRCP competencies) form part of PCHN39990 but are listed here as they facilitate understanding of theoretical knowledge.

1. On campus exam (2 hours, 100%)

Formative assessment feedback.

More specific references will be provided in lectures.

Jacobson, P, Shepard, NT, Barin, K,Janky, K, Devin L & McCaslin, DL (2020), Balance function, assessment and management. 3rd edn. Plural, San Diego.

Herdman, S & Clendaniel, R (2014) Vestibular Rehabilitation. 4th edn. Contemporary Perspectives in Rehabilitation, FA Davis Company, Philadelphia.