AUDIOL 713 : Clinical Otolaryngology and Related Sciences

Medical and Health Sciences

2024 Semester Two (1245) (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:
David Welch
Email: d.welch@auckland.ac.nz

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

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
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 and 3.2)
  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 and 4.2)
  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 3.1, 3.2, 6.1 and 7.1)
  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 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 and 4.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Test on Diseases of the Ear 20% Individual Coursework
Vestibular Hearing and Balance Assignment 10% Individual Coursework
Case oral presentation 15% Individual Coursework
Case presentation written report 5% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% 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.

The SET evaluation was completed by 12 students (of 23) - the best input the course has received for several years. Ratings were rather low (2.8/5 for the course). Comments were positive about the sessions where students present cases to ENTs, though some negative comments focused on the lack of fairness in the difficulty of cases and ENT marking. More negative comments were made about the interactive nature of the teaching in the first part of the course, where class discussions are used to increase student engagement with the material which is the fundamentals of disease in the ear. This fundamental material has been difficult to teach over the years, because students do not have a background in it so it tends to require a degree of basic learning in order to prepare them for interaction with the ENT surgeons later in the course. In the last few years, we have tried a new approach of more interactive teaching, where students are given marks for their input and interaction in class. This has been highly effective, with improved grades and standard of work later in the course. However, given the negative comments about it, it may be worthwhile tweaking it a little, and I will consult with relevant staff about that.

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.

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 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.

For 2021, AUDIOL713 will cover an introduction to otolaryngology and related sciences. 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, and occupational deafness and hearing conservation.

Published on 08/11/2023 09:16 a.m.