e-Audiology | An online audiology course

This module equips you with the underpinning knowledge associated with hearing assessment and rehabilitation that is required of an audiology assistant or support worker.

Voluntary workers, education professionals, social care staff and trainee associates may also benefit from this e-learning.

Topic: General Skills

• The Work of the Audiology Department
• Professional Groups and their Professional Roles
• Teamworking
• Health and Safety in Audiology
• Infection Control Issues
• Confidentiality, Equality and Diversity
• Consultation Skills
• Personal and Professional Development

Topic: Anatomy and Physiology

This covers the essential knowledge of anatomy and physiology in audiology:

• Anatomy and Physiology of the Outer Ear
• Otoscopy Skills
• Anatomy and Physiology of the Middle Ear
• Anatomy of the Inner Ear
• Physiology of the Inner Ear
• Basic Nerve Conduction
• Anatomy of Neural Pathways
• Anatomy and Physiology of the Nose, Sinus and Throat
• Anatomy and Physiology of the Balance Organs
• Effects of Vision and Proprioception on Balance

Topic: Audiology Acoustics and Psychoacoustics

This covers the key scientific concepts used in audiology:

• Sound Waves
• The Decibel Scale 
• Introduction to the Sound Level Meter 
• Measurement of Sound
• Speech Production and Perception 
• Perception of Sound
• Sound Localisation
• Tuning Forks (including tests)
• Recruitment

Topic: Pure Tone Audiometry

This covers the principles of testing hearing in adults:

• Introduction to the Audiometer
• The Audiogram Form
• Defining and Understanding Hearing Thresholds
• Calibration and Care of Equipment
• Test Environment
• Pre-test Assessment and Information
• AC and BC Audiometry
• The Need to Mask
• Recording and Reporting Audiometry Results

Topic: Pathology, Symptoms and Management Options of Ear and Related Conditions

This covers a range of audiological disorders and their management:

• Pathology, Symptoms and Management of Conditions of the Pinnae
• Pathology, Symptoms and Management: Auditory Canal Conditions
• Pathology, Symptoms and Management of Cholesteatoma
• Recognising Outer Ear and Tympanic Membrane Conditions/Otoscopy
• Pathology and Symptoms: Eustachian Tube Dysfunction and Otitis Media
• Management of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction and Otitis Media
• Pathology, Symptoms and Management of Middle Ear Conditions
• Pathology, Symptoms and Management of Hearing Losses
• Ménière's Disease: Cause and Presenting Symptoms
• Ménière's Disease: Management Options
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and its Management

Topic: Hearing Loss, Communication and Hearing Conversation

This covers the communication needs of audiology patients:

• Living with Hearing Loss
• Deaf Awareness
• Tinnitus
• Introduction to Sign Language
• Communication Tactics
• The Hearing-impaired Outpatient: Ways to Improve the Experience
• Hearing Conservation and Noise Protection
• Assistive Technology in Audiology
• Realistic Expectations for Hearing Aid Performance

Topic: Auditory Intervention

This covers the underpinning knowledge required for managing hearing loss through the use of hearing aid technologies:

• The Range of Hearing Aids
• Digital Hearing Aid Technology
• Hearing Aid Features
• The Ear Piece
• Impression Taking and Contraindications
• Hearing Aid Selection and Prescriptive Formulae
• Hearing Aid Fitting
• The Test Box
• Real Ear Measures
• Hearing Aid Maintenance and Repairs
• Implantable Devices

Topic: Screening and Diagnostic Investigations

This covers a range of audiological assessment tools used with adults and children:

• Diagnostic Audiograms and Uncomfortable Loudness Levels
• Tympanometry Equipment and Testing
• Understanding Tympanometry Results
• Otoacoustic Emissions
• Distraction Test
• Visual Reinforcement Audiometry
• Speech Discrimination Tests: Paediatric and Adult
• Co-operative and Performance Testing in the Under Fives
• Evoked Response Audiometry
• Screening for Hearing Loss in Childhood
• Adult Screening
• Balance Investigations: Excluding the Caloric Test
• The Caloric Test
• Other Advanced Diagnostic Tests
• Case Histories 1: Effect of Results on Each Other
• Case Histories 2: Effect of Vestibular Results on Each Other
• Vestibular Rehabilitation

Topic: Audiology in Primary Care

This module is for primary care professionals who are caring for people with common audiological problems, such as balance problems, ear wax, tinnitus and hearing impairment. The aim is to improve the recognition of key symptoms, management and referral pathways.

The module covers:

• Methods of Wax Removal
• Hearing Difficulties in Primary Care
• Tinnitus in Primary Care
• Dizziness and Imbalance in Primary Care

This module helps to raise awareness of systems and tools available in audiology services, such as the Patient Management System and the Quality Enhancement Tool.

Topic: Open Ear Technology

This covers open canal fittings and associated practices, namely:

• Open Ear Technology
• Verifying the Fitting
• Assessing the Outcomes of Hearing Rehabilitation

Topic: Quality Enhancement Tool

This explains how the Quality Enhancement Tool system works, including the inputs that are required, the knowledge management system and the benefits for audiology departments:

• Quality Enhancement Tool: Basics and Benefits
• Quality Enhancement Tool: Completing a Census and Viewing the Results