Hearing Aid Analysis and Fitting

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
HEAR 1211
Descriptive
Hearing Aid Analysis and Fitting
Department
Hearing Instrument Practitioner
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
4.00
Start Date
End Term
201920
PLAR
Yes
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
15
Contact Hours
4 hours per week/60 hours per semester
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Lab
Learning Activities

1.      Laboratory lecture

2.      Application exercises in lab

3.      Independent study of courseware

4.      Proficiency tests

5.      Laboratory assignments

Course Description
This course will introduce students to hearing aid fitting and industry verification standards. Students will learn basic fitting techniques and verification steps to confirm fitting accuracy including hearing instrument testing box (HIT), real ear measurement (REM) and visible speech testing. Students will understand the importance of verifying hearing aid fittings as related to client satisfaction and provincial regulatory body guidelines.
Course Content

1.      Standard equipment and supplies related to hearing instrument analysis and fitting

2.      Software and programming methods used to analyze hearing instruments

3.      Standard hearing instrument fitting formulas

4.      Standard programming procedures from first fit to troubleshooting based on client issues

5.      Verification methods

6.      Electroacoustic analysis and ANSI standards

7.      Hearing aid dispensing protocol

8.      Analysis of audiograms and expectations for client adaptation

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1.      Identify standard industry equipment and supplies related to hearing instrument analysis and fitting

2.      Identify a variety of software and programming methods used to analyze hearing instruments 

3.      Understand how to program hearing aids using standard hearing instrument fitting formulas

4.      Perform standard programming procedures from first fit to troubleshooting based on client issues

5.      Describe various verification methods

6.      Perform electroacoustic analysis of a hearing aid and explain ANSI standards in relation to the results

7.      Describe hearing aid dispensing protocol

8.      Perform analysis of audiograms and describe expectations for client adaptation

Means of Assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Attendance is mandatory for this lab course. Evaluation will be based on the following:

 

Lab assessments 10-20%

Written tests 10-20%

Written midterm examination 10-20%

Lab practical midterm examination 10-20%

Final examination 20-35%

Textbook Materials

Textbooks and materials to be purchased by students. Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for required materials.

A list of required and optional textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.

Prerequisites
Corequisites
Equivalencies

NIL

Which Prerequisite