BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology) / Course details

The course unit will be taught primarily within work placement clinics. By the successful completion of the unit it is expected that students will have consolidated many of the skills and knowledge gained in work placement 2 Unit, and will be able to demonstrate competence in the assessment and management of adult hearing loss. Students will also broaden their knowledge and understanding of how to assess children's hearing and how to assess adults with balance dysfunction, through direct observation, and gain an understanding of how the private sector meets the needs of the hearing impaired patient.

The unit aims to:

• Provide students with both laboratory and clinical experience in Audiology, so that they can acquire practical, clinical and professional skills appropriate to enter the workforce as a Healthcare Science Practitioner in Audiological Science and as a Hearing Aid Dispenser.

Students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Critically evaluate the theoretical basis for audiological practice Understand the need to empower service users to manage their aural health and related issues.
• Be aware of emerging technologies and new developments in hearing assistance.
• Understand and be able to discuss the similarities and differences in NHS and independent sector client case management.
• Understand and be able to discuss different marketing strategies and how they relate to different target groups.
• Understand clinical and corporate governance in the independent sector Demonstrate an awareness of current UK legislation applicable to hearing aid dispensing.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the manufacturing processes for custom-made hearing aids and issues to consider when prescribing non-BTE hearing aid systems.

Intellectual skills

• Demonstrate clinical reasoning skills.
• Critically review and evaluate practice.

Practical skills

• Competently apply all clinical and professional skills acquired in the Work Placement 2 Unit, in order to formulate and deliver holistic care plans for adults with hearing loss, including all procedures relevant to: hearing and vestibular assessment, hearing aid selection and fitting, hearing aid reassessment, hearing aid long term care e.g. follow up.
• Performs otoacoustic emission testing adhering to national and international standards, and use subsequent results to inform an appropriate management strategy.
• Accurately report assessment and management plans in an appropriate format to colleagues and other professionals.
• Be able to explain the financial implications of suitable hearing aid systems.
• Be able to formulate and provide appropriate advice regarding hearing aids and associated technologies and their use to facilitate informed choices by service users.
• Demonstrate skill development in performing paediatric assessment and management of hearing loss.
• Demonstrate skill development in performing vestibular assessment and management.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

• Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate the impact of own actions.
• Offer information to others when it will help others development and /or help them meet work demands.
• Demonstrate initiative, be able to take action unprompted and assume responsibility when appropriate.
• Confidently present work to others.
• Produce a report which uses appropriate linguistic register.

See Year 3 Clinical Placement Handbook.

The course unit will be taught by utilising work placement clinics and lectures by Hearing Aid Dispensers.

1. IRCP - clinical skill requirements, 4 DOPs, 2 CBDs, 2 OCEs and competence, HEI assessments*  (pass/fail)
2. Online oral interview (20%)
3. Online oral interview reflection (750 words, 10%)
4. Personal Portfolio of Learning & Application (PPLA) (70%)
5. Placement report (pass/fail)

*See Clinical handbook for details. Direct Observation of Clinical Practice (DOP), Case-based discussion (CBD), Objective Clinical Examination (OCE). HEI assessment.

Formative: clinical session feedback forms and ongoing verbal feedback.

See Clinical Placement Handbook.