Hearing Aid Analysis and Fitting

Curriculum Guideline

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Course
HEAR 1211
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
Not Specified
PLAR
Yes
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
15
Contact Hours

4 hours per week

Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Lab
Online
Learning Activities

1. Laboratory or online lecture

2. Application exercises in lab or a program approved hearing clinic

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 successful 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 the Douglas College Evaluation 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: 0-20%

Written tests: 0-20%

Written midterm examination: 10-30%

Lab practical midterm examination: 0-20%

Final examination: 20-35%

TOTAL: 100%

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

HEAR 1100, HEAR 1101, HEAR 1111, HEAR 1112 or prior successful completion of the International Hearing Society (IHS) Distance Learning for Professionals in Hearing Health Sciences Course and current employment with a hearing clinic

 

Corequisites

HEAR 1200, HEAR 1212

Which Prerequisite

HEAR 1310