AUDIOL 704 : Central Auditory Function

Medical and Health Sciences

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Auditory neurophysiology and electrophysiology of central auditory pathways, psychoacoustics, and speech and language. Topics include: the use of electrophysiology, imaging technologies and psychoacoustics to probe the function of the auditory system. Central processes involved in speech and language.

Course Overview

This course is linked to and extends the AUDIOL 701 Auditory Neuroscience course. Courses AUDIOL 701 and AUDIOL 704 aim collectively to provide an understanding of the physiology of the auditory system and the behavioural outcomes of this. This course deals with advanced topics in auditory neuroscience with a focus on central auditory pathways and associated auditory behaviour; these provide insight into the normal and abnormal processing of sound. The course includes measurement of auditory evoked potentials as indicators of auditory function.  Much of the course is based on student presentations and an important aspect of it is  learning to present research and to learn from peers.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Course Contacts

Course Director
Dr David Welch
Head of Section
Email: d.welch@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: +64 (0) 9 923 8404

Course Administrator
Mrs Upendra Wickramarachchi
Group Services Administrator
Email: u.wicks@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: +64 (0) 9 923 3058

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Graduate Profile: Master of Audiology

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop detailed knowledge of the nature of auditory evoked potentials, their source and mechanisms of generation, measurement and interpretation of these physiological responses and their use in assessing auditory function. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2 and 3.1)
  2. Critically explore the roles of the auditory brain in hearing. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2 and 3.1)
  3. Explore and describe the processes of the interpretation of sound in the brain. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  4. Explore and describe the processes of auditory neuropathies and processing disorders (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  5. Critically evaluate and explain relevant scientific literature. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 3.2 and 4.1)
  6. Communicate research effectively and teach and learn from peers about the meaning underlying research findings. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 5.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
AEP Test 10% Individual Coursework
AEP Practical Assignment 10% Individual Coursework
Seminar Presentation and Report 20% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Reflection 10% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
AEP Test
AEP Practical Assignment
Seminar Presentation and Report
Final Exam
Reflection

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, the lectures/seminars are two-three hours each week, and may include a tutorial or practical session of one-two hours depending on topics/requirements. You are expected to spend the remaining hours on reading and thinking about the content and work on assignments and/or the  test .

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including labs/tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars, tutorials and labs will be available only when possible as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including group discussions/tutorials].
Attendance on campus is required for the tests and exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

The course is based around a text, The Oxford Handbook of Auditory Science, Volumes 2 and 3 edited by David R Moore. There is also an introductory text by Jan Schnupp, Israel Nelken and Andrew King (Auditory Neuroscience; making sense of sound, MIT press 2011) which is a useful background (and very inexpensive).
Many classes are based on student presentations and a set of resources are made available three weeks prior to each class.  It is helpful if everyone has read the core research and review articles prior to each class.
The Oxford Handbook of Auditory Science. Chief Editor, David R Moore. Oxford University Press, 2010 (Required Text)
Volume 2 The Auditory Brain
Volume 3 Hearing
Auditory Neuroscience; making sense of sound. J Schnupp, I Nelken and A King , MIT press 2011
(Recommended Text)
Central Auditory System Edited by G Ehret and R Romand. Oxford University Press. (Recommended Text).
An Introduction to the Psychology of Hearing by BCJ Moore. Academic Press, 2003 (Recommended Text)
Handbook of Clinical Audiology. J Katz (ed). 6th Edition. Williams and Wilkins, 2009. (Required Text).
Auditory Evoked Potentials: Basic Principles and Clinical Application (Point (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins)) (Hardcover) by Robert Francis Burkard, Manuel Don, Jos J Eggermont (Recommended text)
New Handbook for Auditory Evoked Responses (Hardcover) by James W. Hall (Recommended text)

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.

Digital 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.

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 against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

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 your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

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 you may be asked to submit your 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. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 15/12/2020 09:20 a.m.