Introduction to Audiology

Module details

Title

Introduction to Audiology

Type

Rotation

Module code

SPS201

Credits

10

Requirement

Compulsory

Aim of this module

This work based module will provide the trainee with an opportunity to apply their knowledge and understanding of Audiology.

This module will provide the trainee with the knowledge, understanding and awareness of the diversity of patients attending audiology services. Trainees will undertake a range of investigations and assist with the assessment and management of a wide range of patients of all ages experiencing hearing, tinnitus or balance difficulties.

Competencies

#	Learning outcome	Competency	Action
# 1	Learning outcome 1	Competency Undertake the stage A daily checks of equipment used in adult rehabilitation, including audiometers, tympanometers, etc.	Action View
# 2	Learning outcome 1,2,3,4,5	Competency Control infection risks in accordance with departmental protocols.	Action View
# 3	Learning outcome 1,2,3,4,5	Competency Minimise risks and hazards in compliance with health and safety policies.	Action View
# 4	Learning outcome 2,3,4	Competency Obtain a basic history of hearing difficulties in a routine adult patient, their use of hearing aids where appropriate, using communication strategies appropriate to the patient and the situation. (NB patients seen in this section will often be new patients and are therefore unlikely to already have a hearing aid.)	Action View
# 5	Learning outcome 2,3,4,5	Competency Perform the appropriate room set-up for different appointment sessions.	Action View
# 6	Learning outcome 2,3,4,5	Competency Explain the procedure to the patient, address any questions they may have relating to the procedure, including the process after the procedure and how they will be informed of the results.	Action View
# 7	Learning outcome 2	Competency Identify normal landmarks of the external auditory meatus (EAM) and tympanic membrane (TM) via otoscopy.	Action View
# 8	Learning outcome 2	Competency Gain informed consent for a pure tone audiogram (PTA).	Action View
# 9	Learning outcome 2	Competency Following initial familiarisation, record and accurately document with correct symbols, a non-masked PTA from a routine adult patient.	Action View
# 10	Learning outcome 3	Competency Perform a subjective listening test and comment on the performance of a hearing aid, identify common errors or malfunctions and action as appropriate.	Action View
# 11	Learning outcome 4,5	Competency Summarise a patient’s history, suggest suitable aural rehabilitation strategies and recommend an initial management plan with a supervisor.	Action View
# 12	Learning outcome 4,5	Competency Document findings and results from a basic adult patient with hearing difficulties, using the relevant patient management system. Discuss and evaluate any changes to previous results.	Action View

Assessments

You must complete:

• 1 case-based discussion(s)
• 1 of the following DOPS/ OCEs:

Undertake an impression	DOPS
Obtain a full patient history from an adult patient relevant to the investigation and record the information accurately	OCE

Learning outcomes

1. Perform the daily checks of equipment used in adult rehabilitation, e.g. audiometers, tympanometers, in a safe manner in accordance with standard procedures.
2. Obtain accurate and reproducible non-masked pure tone audiograms from adult patients.
3. Perform a subjective listening test and comment on the performance of a hearing aid.
4. Apply the fundamental principles of aural rehabilitation.
5. Assist in the assessment and management of routine audiological caseload, in particular adult rehabilitation.

Learning outcomes

1. Explain and evaluate the range and basic function of routine audiological equipment and its use in the everyday assessment of hearing, tinnitus and balance on patients.
2. Discuss the fundamental principles of patient aural rehabilitation with reference to the underpinning evidence base.
3. Evaluate the investigations and treatment of routine otological and audiological disorders with patients.
4. Describe patient’s special needs and circumstances as applied to audiology services, such as people with learning difficulties, cognitive and sensory impairment, physical disabilities, older people, paediatrics, and intensive care.
5. Discuss the ways that non-NHS or external statutory, voluntary, charitable agencies, or services in the community can assist with patient care in audiology services, e.g. social services.

Indicative content

• Types of equipment routinely used within the audiology clinic and basic audiological test procedures
• Common forms of hearing disorder in terms of auditory capabilities and speech recognition performance
• Principles of auditory diagnostic investigation strategy and treatment of audiological disorders
• Performance of hearing aids and how they can be subjectively and objectively measured
• Routine outcomes of basic hearing assessment and consequences for case management
• Everyday technological principles of aural rehabilitation
• Audiology services; clients with special needs, including people with learning difficulties, cognitive and sensory impairment, physical disabilities, older people, paediatrics, intensive care
• Statutory, voluntary, charitable agencies or services, e.g. social services

Activities

• Observe a range of routine investigations undertaken in an audiology department and describe the diversity of patients attending audiology services and some of their special needs; this should include people with cognitive and sensory impairment, physical and learning disabilities, older people, paediatrics.
• Observe a range of routine investigations undertaken in an audiology department and identify a range of routine audiological equipment, and discuss their use in the assessment of a range of cases with your training officer.
• Observe history taking and clinical examinations in patients with signs and symptoms of audiological conditions and discuss with your training officer different clinical approaches and strategies using clinical reasoning, innovative approaches in complex situations and responding to differing priorities of a given situation.
• Attend outpatient departments where patients with audiological conditions are referred and summarise the investigation and likely management of routine audiological conditions.
• Observe the work of non-NHS or external statutory, voluntary charitable agencies or services, such as social care, that offer support to patients with hearing loss in the community and reflect on their role in the management of patients who experience loss of hearing.