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Unit of study_

CSCD2071: Audiology 1

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Cumberland, Sydney

The unit will introduce the different types of hearing loss, basic audiological tests, and clinical procedures for evaluating hearing in children and adults. Students will learn to interpret audiological results and make conclusions about the severity, type, and configuration of the hearing impairment. This will promote an understanding of how the anatomy and physiology of the ear and cortex function, and how to assess the structures of the auditory system to diagnose different hearing related conditions.

Unit details and rules

Unit code CSCD2071
Academic unit Communication Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
BIOS2166 OR ANAT2010
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Anatomy and neurology of the auditory system

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Isabelle Boisvert, isabelle.boisvert@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Isabelle Boisvert, isabelle.boisvert@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Interpreting hearing assessment reports
Short answers
25% Week 05
Due date: 25 Sep 2020 at 23:00
Short answers
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7
Assignment hurdle task Case-based assignment
Case study
35% Week 08
Due date: 23 Oct 2020 at 23:00
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO9 LO10 LO11
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam hurdle task Audiological assessment and intervention
Short answer questions
40% Week 12
Due date: 18 Nov 2020 at 13:00

Closing date: 18 Nov 2020
2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Case-base assignment: Students are given a series of short cases that require a demonstrated understanding of the auditory system. Students are required to interpret basic audiology assessments.
  • Practical- interpreting hearing assessment reports: Two cases are provided, and students are required to demonstrate an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the ear and more complex audiological assessments. Students will interpret the more complex assessment results and outline management options, further testing requirements, and potential impact of results on functional listening.
  • Exam: Students will be provided with case studies with several short answer questions relating to each of them. Students are required to answer all questions from each case presented.

  Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Audiology introduction Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 02 Conductive hearing loss Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 03 Sensorineural hearing loss Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 04 Audiological assessment Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Audiology: NDIS and the ICF Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 05 Audiological intervention options Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Translational research and development in audiology Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 07 Physiological testing in audiology Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 08 Speech perception testing Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Hearing and cognition Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 09 Communication options Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 10 Review and reading reports Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are recommended to attend all face-to-face classes and tutorials. All classes and tutorials will assist with the assignment work. The first class (Introduction) will provide important guidance about the format and expectations for this unit. 

Note that some weeks, there will be no classes, while other weeks, there will be 2 classes (at different times). 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Katz, J., and Marshall, C., Handbook of Clinical Audiology. 7th ed. Philadelphia:Wolters Kluwer Health, 2015. 

(Available online – University of Sydney library)

Additional readings will be made available during lectures.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Describe the anatomy and function of the auditory system and develop an understanding of how different conditions can affect hearing.
  • LO2. Apply theoretical knowledge to conduct audiology assessments (pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry, and speech audiometry)
  • LO3. Identify the hearing impairment including the severity, type, and configuration of the hearing loss and differentially diagnose which aspect of the ear is damaged
  • LO4. Demonstrate the ability to orally and through written reports explain audiological results and implications to clients and their families so that the information is clearly understood
  • LO5. Apply empathy when disclosing the degree and severity of the hearing loss to adults, children and their families
  • LO6. Understand how to use audiological equipment to assess hearing
  • LO7. Use online technologies to assess hearing and to learn the basics of hearing assessments.
  • LO8. Understand how to follow procedures and techniques of assessments in order to deliver in depth understanding of the clients hearing needs
  • LO9. Define and explain audiological results while considering potential cultural differences of verbal and non-verbal communication
  • LO10. Use rigorous independent thinking to cross-check all assessments before diagnosing a hearing problem
  • LO11. Adopt problem-solving skills in each individual case.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Last year's students indicated how the tutorials enhanced their learning of the theory. While we will not be able to use physical equipment this year, more time will be allocated for practical tutorials using online/ computer-based audiological tools.

Because of the pandemic, some content and the delivery of this unit of study have been adapted so it can be offered online. For this reason, discrepancies may be found between the information here and that available in the course handbook. 

Please note all questions regarding the course content and assessment need to be posted on Canvas.

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.