AUDIOL 702 : Basic Diagnostic Audiology

Medical and Health Sciences

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

The basic principles and techniques of diagnostic audiology in adults and children. Topics studied include: basic audiometric techniques (history-taking, pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, immittance audiometry, traditional site-of-lesion tests, paediatric assessment, non-organic hearing loss). Emphasis is placed on critical assessment of current literature.

Course Overview

The goal of this course is to provide a general familiarisation and understanding of all the basic audiometric procedures you will be using in clinics for testing adults and children (history taking, pure tone air and bone conduction audiometry, speech and immittance audiometry, OAEs), to understand some of the research behind the current clinical practices and have a understanding of management options. You are expected to have done any prescribed pre-reading or pre-watching before class so that you are able to contribute to class discussions in lectures and practical sessions.
The course has a 2 hour lecture before a 3 hour practical session in the afternoon, however some practicals may also be scheduled on other days (see timetable).
By the end of this course you will understand basic diagnostic audiology theory and test battery procedures used to assess and manage hearing levels or hearing problems in adults and children, and be able to reflect on future practice evolving in this field.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Course Contacts

Course Director: Associate Professor Grant Searchfield email: g.searchfield@auckland.ac.nz
Course Co-ordinator: Sharon Mein Smith email: s.meinsmith@auckland.ac.nz
Professional Teaching Fellow: Sharon Mein Smith: s.meinsmith@auckland.ac.nz
Group Services Administrator: Upendra Wickramarachchi: u.wicks@auckland.ac.nz


Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Master of Audiology

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify, apply and evaluate common clinical audiological terms and audiological tests using appropriate terminology and classifications (Capability 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1)
  2. Identify, describe and evaluate audiological test principles and clinical procedures. (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
  3. Create clinically-appropriate test batteries and testing approaches for different population groups. (Capability 2.1, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 7.1 and 8.2)
  4. Critically evaluate test battery results and identify diagnostic limitations. (Capability 3.1, 4.1, 4.2 and 8.1)
  5. Identify, explain and evaluate differential diagnoses and management recommendations for clinical cases based on limited information (Capability 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  6. Present and analyse audiological theories and clinical arguments supported by critical review of published research literature. (Capability 2.2, 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  7. Communicate, evaluate and debate current issues in diagnostic audiology (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2 and 6.1)
  8. Demonstrate the origin of ideas used in written assignments by accurately referencing sources. (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
  9. Develop and demonstrate the ability to reflect honestly on current knowledge and knowledge gaps, competence level and responses to learning (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 8.1 and 8.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Self Reflections 5% Individual Coursework
Mid semester Test 20% Individual Test
Case Report 20% Individual Coursework
Group Presentations 5% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Self Reflections
Mid semester Test
Case Report
Group Presentations
Final Exam

Workload Expectations

This course is a 15 point course however there is a proportionally larger number of direct contact hours as the course material covers the main areas needed for basic diagnostic disciplinary knowledge and practice. Therefore, for this course you can generally expect 2 hours of lectures, a 3 hour practical, 2.5 hours of preparation (reading and thinking about the content) and 2.5 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation, on a weekly basis. As this paper covers content that is new to most students, some extra time for reading or preparation may be needed to thoroughly assimilate content. 

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials/clinics to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars/tutorials will not be available as recordings.
Attendance on campus is required for the test and exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Handbook of Clinical Audiology, J Katz (Ed). 7th Edition. Williams and Wilkins 2015 (Required Text). 
AudSim Flex software: online-purchased software that you will need to purchase and load on your own laptop (iPads are not compatible). This software emulates a diagnostic audiometer for simulated pure-tone air and bone conduction testing, both masked and unmasked (Required Software).
 University of Auckland Clinical Checklists (electronic copy supplied in Canvas).
Readings as supplied by each lecturer, or in Canvas module & TALIS reading list

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

No changes.

Other Information

Practical sessions are a very important part of your learning in this course, allowing you the opportunity to practise your clinical skills, discuss your understanding of concepts and ask relevant questions  of your teaching supervisor.  It is important to make every effort to attend these sessions as they cannot be rescheduled.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.