AUDIOL 713 : Clinical Otolaryngology and Related Sciences

Medical and Health Sciences

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An introduction to otolaryngology and speech pathology. Topics include: principles of pathology and mechanisms of disease, imaging techniques, diseases of the ear, head and neck, the genetics of deafness, neurological disorders that affect hearing and balance, occupational deafness and hearing conservation, speech pathology.

Course Overview

The goal of this course is to provide a general familiarisation and understanding of the epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, presentation, diagnosis and treatment (surgical & nonsurgical) and/or prevention of diseases and damage to the hearing and vestibular systems.
By the end of this course you will have an understanding of the mechanisms of ear diseases, clinical otorhinolaryngology practice, vestibular systems and evaluations, congenital hearing disorders and noise induced hearing loss, that will inform and support your clinical audiology diagnostic and rehabilitative practice.
You are expected to have done any prescribed pre-reading or watching of pre-recorded lecture segments or online videos before class so that you are able to contribute to class discussions in lectures and the practical session.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Course Contacts

Course Director:
To be decided

Course Administrator
Mrs Upendra Wickramarachchi
Email: u.wicks@auckland.ac.nz

Capabilities Developed in this Course

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

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify the principle mechanisms of ear disease as well as neurological, cardiovascular and neoplastic disorders that involve the auditory system (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 5.2)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the mechanisms underlying symptoms and signs of different vestibular disorders by identification of test results and arriving at accurate differential diagnoses (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 7.1)
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of otolaryngologists in the management of ear diseases and hearing impairment by being able to present accurate written and oral information on specific ear diseases and appropriate medical management options. (Capability 1.3, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 7.1 and 7.2)
  4. Develop a basic understanding of noise-induced hearing loss and use this to discuss prevention and education approaches. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 6.1)
  5. Demonstrate a basic understanding of of the genetics of hearing and hearing loss and use this to identify and discuss the implications of cases involving a genetic contribution. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Test on Diseases of the Ear 20% Individual Coursework
Vestibular Hearing and Balance Assignment 15% Individual Coursework
Case oral presentation 15% Individual Coursework
Case presentation written report 5% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 45% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Test on Diseases of the Ear
Vestibular Hearing and Balance Assignment
Case oral presentation
Case presentation written report
Final Exam

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, you can expect 33 hours of lectures, 24 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 40 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials or clinics to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials or clinics will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
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.

  1. CANVAS - Canvas is the online tool used by students and lecturers to deposit teaching and learning materials.  It directs students to reading lists and lecture slides.
  2. Required text - There is no prescribed course text. Relevant articles, reports and other materials will be posted throughout the semester and in the Canvas 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.

N/A

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

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.

All extension requests must be requested in writing using the “Request for an Extension” form available in Canvas and sent to the administrator (u.wicks@auckland.ac.nz).  

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.