Foundation Degree in Hearing Aid Audiology

Course outline

Jump to:

• Subject guide & modules
• Learning, teaching & assessment
• Placement year
• Professional accreditation
• Career prospects
• Personal development
• Facilities & equipment
• Teaching staff
• Further information

Subject guide & modules

In the first year, students are introduced to a range of basic sciences related to hearing and audiology. You will also focus on clinical procedures and the skills needed to manage patients. You will put these skills into practice in your workplace.

In your second year you will build on the skills developed in the first year. You will be introduced to topics such as hearing aids and counselling skills. You will also be developing related clinical competencies as you work with patients/clients in the workplace. 

Year 1

• Adult Auditory Assessment - provides students with a theoretical and practical understanding of audiological test procedures and related clinical issues in adult auditory assessment

• Introduction to Rehabilitation - develops an understanding of the rehabilitative process

• Introduction to Auditory Sciences - provides students with a sound theoretical understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the auditory and vestibular systems
  

• Signals and Systems in Audiology – you will gain a sound theoretical understanding of the physics of mechanical systems and an understanding of the general principles of signal representation

• Audiological Instrumentation – you will gain an understanding of the different technologies used in auditory rehabilitation.  The module also focuses on the need for regular calibration and maintenance of auditory test equipment

• Pathology and Diagnostics of Hearing and Balance – you will gain a thorough understanding of pathology and disorders of the central and peripheral auditory and vestibular systems

• Core Professional Studies – this module will introduce you to the skills required to deliver high-level patient centred care 
  

• Clinical Skills Laboratory I – you will develop skills in audiological assessment procedures, following British Society of Audiology (BSA) and British Academy of Audiology (BAA) recommendations

• Clinical Practice I - To provide students with an opportunity to learn about audiology practice    

Year 2

• Auditory Sciences - This module provides an introduction to psychophysical methods and the psychophysics of hearing and introduces students to the perceptual effects of deafness.  The module will introduce models of pitch perception and frequency selectivity.  Students will also learn about the perception of loudness, masking, temporal processing, and the perceptual effects of binaural stimulation gain an overview of speech production and perception

• Hearing Aids – gain an understanding of routine hearing aids systems, and how to select and fit them and verify, evaluate and modify their performance

• Counselling Skills for Audiologists - To provide knowledge and experience of person-centred philosophy and its application to the practise of counselling skills in audiology and the personal, ethical, and professional issues involved

• Quality in Healthcare – this module will improve your  awareness of patient perspectives and increase your understanding of how to improve services

• Clinical Skills Laboratory II - This practical-based module aims to develop skills in audiological assessment and rehabilitative procedures, following BSA/BAA recommended procedures

• Clinical Practice II - provides you with supervised training in practise to complete the Individual Record of Practice and continue to build a portfolio of evidence

• Professional Studies – Business Practice – this covers the legal knowledge and business skills required to dispense hearing aids in the private sector as an independent or employed dispenser.

Learning, teaching & assessment

The programme utilises a range of teaching methods.  These include lectures, seminars, tutorials, group work and problem based learning etc.  

We also use the virtual learning environment to support all teaching activities and you will have access to a computerised patient In the Clinical Skills Laboratory to simulate a variety of clinical situations.

Assessments are varied and include exams, essay writing, practicals, report writing, seminars and presentations.

Placement year

Professional accreditation

HPC (Health Professions Council) approved programme for professional development and graduates are eligible to apply for HPC registration.

Career prospects

As a graduate, you will be able to register with the Health Professions Council and provide aid services to customers within the independent sector. You will also be eligible to work as an Associate Practitioner in the NHS.

Graduates often continue their studies to BSc level with our degree courses in Hearing Sciences or Audiology.

Personal development

It is important that students working in healthcare have a wide range of interpersonal skills.  These include presentation skills, team working, report writing, negotiation and IT skills.  The audiology course aims to help students recognise this need and develop the appropriate skills.

Facilities & equipment

Teaching staff

A wide-range of highly experienced audiology staff teach on this Foundation Degree programme.

Further information

Email us:
Tel: 0121 204 4097