Hearing Devices and Rehabilitation B

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website : http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject will provide students with detailed information relating to current hearing aids and other devices to assist the hard of hearing. This subject will build on the foundation knowledge acquired in Hearing Devices and Rehabilitation A. In particular, this subject will cover:

• advanced issues in the selection of hearing aid features;
• advanced verification techniques;
• prescriptive methods for setting the amplification;
• consideration of both linear and non-linear prescriptive methods, and prescriptions for maximum power output;
• issues in the use of prescriptive and non-prescriptive setting of amplification of hearing aids;
• paediatric hearing aid fitting considerations and issues;
• use of vibrotactile devices;
• use of devices within tinnitus management program;
• advanced outcome assessment;
• advanced counselling techniques in aural rehabilitation including those concerned with developing and maintaining motivational engagement and dealing with difficult and challenging clinical situations.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• select appropriate hearing aid style/features/options for hearing-impaired clients, including weighing up the relative merits of these for individual cases;
• describe the range of aims of prescriptions and the ways in which the prescriptions vary, in general terms;
• describe the NAL-NL1 and NAL-NL2 prescription aims, development and use;
• describe the potential strengths and weaknessess of prescriptive and non-prescriptive methods of setting amplification and maximum power output;
• describe the use of other devices (vibrotactile aid, devices for tinnitus management) within a rehabilitation program;
• describe the factors affecting outcome measures;
• interpret results of advanced verification measures and understand the implications of signal type/level/duration on these;
• apply advanced aural rehabilitation techniques in the development and implementation of individualised rehabilitation programs.

• A written assignment due in semester 1 of no more than 4000 words – 30%
• An OSCE exam at the end of semester 1 – 10%
• A two hour written examination at the end of semester 2 – 60%

Hearing Aids, Dillon, H., 2001, Boomerang Press (Please note a new edition of this text is due for publication)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

At the completion of this subject students should be able to demonstrate:

• critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills;
• the ability to integrate theory and practice and to apply this in novel situations;
• an openness to new ideas;
• planning and time management skills;
• the ability to communicate their knowledge in both oral and written form;
• the ability to behave in a professionally appropriate manner.