Hearing Aids and Bioacoustics II

Curriculum guideline

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Course
HEAR 2100
Discontinued
No
Course code
HEAR 2100
Descriptive
Hearing Aids and Bioacoustics II
Department
Hearing Aid Sciences
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
2.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
Yes
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
30
Contact hours
2 hours per week/30 hours per semester
Method(s) of instruction
Online
Learning activities
  1. Online delivery
  2. Independent study of courseware
  3. Independent completion of online self-assessment quizzes
  4. Completion of field assignments
  5. Participation in online discussion forums
Course description
This course builds upon the topics covered in Hearing Aids & Bioacoustics I (HEAR 1100). Concepts previously introduced such as compression, channels, programs, directional microphones, and digital noise reduction will be greatly expanded upon in this course.
Course content
  1. Introduction to compression as compared to linear signal processing
  2. Input/output functions, and how to read them
  3. Comparison of output limiting compression (OLC) versus wide dynamic range compression (WDRC)
  4. Dynamic aspects of compression (attack/release times)
  5. Multi-channel and programmability in hearing aids
  6. Compression in digital hearing aids
  7. Features common to digital hearing aids such as digital noise reduction, feedback reduction and expansion
Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Define the elements of linear versus compression signal processing
  2. Categorize the various commonly used types of compression found in today’s digital hearing aids, such as output limiting compression (OLC) and wide dynamic range compression (WDRC)
  3. Recognize acoustic characteristics of linear and compression types of signal processing
  4. Explain dynamic aspects of compression found in digital hearing aids
  5. Discuss multi-channel and programmable properties in hearing aids
  6. Explain the basic technology behind directional microphones
  7. Describe features found in digital hearing aids, such as digital noise reduction and feedback reduction
  8. Compare the clinical benefits of directional microphones and digital noise reduction for understanding speech in background noise
Means of assessment

The course evaluation will be consistent with Douglas College evaluation policy. An evaluation schedule will be provided in the course outline at the beginning of the course.

Midterm exam – 20-30%

Quizzes – 20-40% 

Field Assignments - 0-10%

Online Discussions - 0-10%

Final exam – 20-30%

Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for required materials.

Prerequisites

HEAR 1310

Corequisites

HEAR 2101, HEAR 2111, HEAR 2112

Equivalencies

N/A

Which prerequisite

HEAR 2200, HEAR 2201, HEAR 2210, HEAR 2212