College: Health Sciences

The Audiology major focuses on the evaluation and measurement of hearing and balance disorders. Students acquire skills in auditory testing, hearing aid fitting, rehabilitation techniques, and patient care. Graduates are prepared to work in hearing clinics, hospitals, educational institutions, and hearing aid distribution centers.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the basics of audiological measurement and auditory evaluation.
• Develop skills in auditory testing, hearing aid fitting, and rehabilitation techniques.
• Learn diagnostic and management techniques for hearing and balance disorders.
• Explore principles of auditory rehabilitation, patient counseling, and hearing preservation.
• Analyze and interpret audiometric data and test results.
• Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and clinical skills for effective audiology practice.

Main Outline:

1. Introduction to Audiology
   • Overview of key concepts, principles, and practices in audiology.
   • Basics of hearing, balance, and auditory evaluation.
2. Auditory Testing
   • Principles of auditory testing, including pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and impedance audiometry.
   • Techniques for conducting and interpreting auditory tests.
3. Hearing Aid Fitting
   • Principles of hearing aid fitting, including selection, programming, and verification of hearing aids.
   • Techniques for fitting and adjusting hearing aids to meet individual patient needs.
4. Rehabilitation Techniques
   • Principles of rehabilitation techniques, including auditory training, speech-language therapy, and cochlear implantation.
   • Techniques for developing and implementing rehabilitation plans for patients with hearing impairments.
5. Diagnosis and Management of Hearing and Balance Disorders
   • Principles of diagnosis and management of hearing and balance disorders, including tinnitus, vertigo, and Meniere's disease.
   • Techniques for assessing and treating hearing and balance issues.
6. Auditory Rehabilitation and Patient Counseling
   • Principles of auditory rehabilitation and patient counseling, including communication strategies, coping techniques, and emotional support.
   • Techniques for providing effective counseling and support to patients experiencing hearing loss.
7. Hearing Preservation
   • Principles of hearing preservation, including noise-induced hearing loss, hearing protection, and preventive measures.
   • Techniques for promoting and maintaining hearing health in various environments.
8. Clinical Training
   • Real-world experiences in audiology settings, including clinical rotations, internships, and practical work in hearing clinics, hospitals, or educational institutions.
   • Application of acquired skills in practical audiology scenarios.
9. Capstone Project in Audiology
   • Comprehensive project to apply skills in auditory testing, hearing aid fitting, or rehabilitation techniques.
   • Presentation of a polished audiology project, research paper, or presentation.

Assessment Methods:

Reports on auditory tests, hearing aid fitting projects, rehabilitation technique plans, diagnostics and management studies, auditory rehabilitation and counseling analyses, hearing preservation projects, clinical training reports, capstone projects, group projects, and presentations.

Recommended Textbooks:

• "Audiological Measurement" by various authors.
• "Auditory Testing" by various authors.
• "Hearing Aid Fitting" by various authors.
• "Rehabilitation Techniques in Audiology" by various authors.
• "Diagnosis and Management of Hearing and Balance Disorders" by various authors.
• "Auditory Rehabilitation and Patient Counseling" by various authors.
• "Hearing Preservation" by various authors.

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge in anatomy, physiology, and communication sciences. Suitable for students interested in audiology, hearing assessment, and rehabilitation.

Duration of Major:

Typically 4 years for a bachelor's degree, including coursework, clinical training, and internships. Additional advanced degrees or certifications might be required for specialized roles.

Certification:

Graduates may earn a degree in audiology and pursue additional education or professional certifications, such as Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) or Clinical Competency Certification in Audiology (CCC-A) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Target Audience:

Aspiring audiologists, hearing aid specialists, audiology assistants, and individuals seeking careers in hearing clinics, hospitals, educational institutions, and hearing aid distribution centers. This major equips students with clinical, technical, and patient care skills needed to excel in audiology, supporting careers in various hearing and audiological healthcare settings.