Implantable Devices for Hearing Loss

Details

Title

Implantable Devices for Hearing Loss

Type

Stage One

Module code

HPS206

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

By the end of this module Clinical Scientists in HSST, with respect to implantable devices, will be able to analyse, synthesise, evaluate and apply knowledge, and perform specialist assessment and treatment of patients demonstrating the attitudes and behaviours necessary for the role of a Consultant Clinical Scientist within a patient focused service and in particular will have a thorough knowledge of all forms of implantable auditory devices including cochlear implants, bone anchored hearing aids, and other hearing implants, e.g. middle-ear implantable hearing aids.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of this module Clinical Scientists in HSST will analyse, synthesise, evaluate and apply their expert knowledge required with respect to the: 

• fundamental basis of electrical auditory stimulation, psychophysics and how electrical hearing differs from acoustic hearing.
• the range of hearing implants currently available and where they are applicable in different populations of hearing impaired patients.
• the underlying principles of cochlear implant speech coding strategies.
• fundamentals of cochlear implant programming and technical functions.
• basis of intra-operative or post-operative objective measures of device function.
• fundamental basis of bone-anchored hearing solutions.
• the function, history and scientific basis of Bone Anchored Hearing Systems and other middle-ear implantable devices.
• the accepted selection criteria and methods of assessment for cochlear implants, Bone Anchored Hearing Systems, and other hearing implants and the evidence base for these.
• the influence of a range of variables particularly syndromic and genetic conditions on outcomes with cochlear implants, Bone Anchored Hearing Systems and other hearing implants and how this knowledge is applied to multi- disciplinary patient selection.
• the role of pre- and post-operative rehabilitation in the expected outcomes from cochlear implants, Bone Anchored Hearing Systems and other hearing implants.
• measures of assessment of the performance and outcomes of cochlear implants and other implantable hearing devices.

Technical and clinical skills

By the end of this module Clinical Scientists in HSST will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of current research and its application to the performance and mastery of a range of technical skills whilst critically reflecting and applying in practice a range of clinical and communication skills to advise and communicate effectively with patients, their families, carers and other healthcare professionals and will:

• select, carry out and interpret test results to guide the selection of patients for the most appropriate from of implantable hearing devices.
• perform pre-operative assessments and performance measures, fitting/programming of cochlear implants, Bone Anchored Hearing Systems and other hearing implants
• engage with patients and other members of the multi-disciplinary team to select the most appropriate devices to best meet their needs in all patient groups.
• evaluate research and evidence to ensure advances in technology are applied to patient groups appropriately.
• reflect on the challenges of applying research to practice in relation to these areas of practice and suggest improvements, building on a critique of available evidence.

Attitudes and behaviours

By the end of this module Clinical Scientists in HSST will be expected to evaluate their own response to both normal and complex situations demonstrating the professional attributes and insights required of a Clinical Scientist in HSST working within the limits of professional competence referring as appropriate to senior staff and will:

• be aware of Deaf culture and the range of attitudes with respect to implantable devices.
• be committed to and support continuous improvement of therapeutic services, with particular reference to auditing practice, evidence based practice, new and improved technologies.