MSc Audiology 2024/25 Handbook
MSc/PG Diploma Audiology
Note: this Programme Handbook should be read in conjunction with the Dissertation Handbook (MSc only), the Practical Handbook, and the Clinical Handbook
Version 1, September 2024
INTRODUCTION TO THE SCHOOL
Division of Psychology, Communication and Human Neuroscience
We are a multi-disciplinary team studying the perceptual, cognitive, social and neural bases of human behaviour, development and health across the lifespan.
We make basic research discoveries and translate these discoveries into real-world applications that improve the quality of life for individuals of all ages and from all parts of society.
Our Division has a leading national and international reputation in the education and training of psychologists, cognitive neuroscientists, neuroimagers, audiologists and healthcare scientists, speech and language therapists, and Teachers of the Deaf.
Manchester Centre for Audiology & Deafness:
The Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness (ManCAD) is a world leader in research underpinning improved services in healthcare and education for those with a hearing loss or who are deaf. The Hearing Health theme within the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre provides a clear pathway from research discoveries to benefit for people with hearing loss.
ManCAD has the most extensive portfolio of audiology and deaf education training programmes in the UK. Our teaching portfolio covers undergraduate, pre-registration and post-registration postgraduate taught programmes. We also run continuing professional development courses and post-registration Doctor of Clinical Science (Audiology) programmes:
BSc in Healthcare Science (Audiology)
MSc in Clinical Science (Neurosensory Sciences) MSc Audiology with General, Advanced and Paediatric Pathways
Post Graduate Diploma in Deaf Education
MSc in Deaf Education
D Clin Sci in Audiological Science
PhD in Audiology
School of Health Sciences Student Handbook
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The student handbook has been developed as a resource for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught students completing degree programmes within the School of Health Sciences (SHS).
This resource should be used as the first point of reference for questions concerning your programme, support and advice, or academic policies and procedures.
The University of Manchester is a large and complex organisation, and we want to ensure that you know how to access the information, support, and guidance you need to succeed in your studies. It is therefore designed to guide you through many aspects of your time as a student and provides useful links to information available through the University’s website, as well as summarising the facilities and support services that are available across the University and how you can access them. It also outlines what you should expect of the School and what they can expect from you, and clarifies the policies and procedures relevant to your area of study.
Introduction to MSc/PGDip Audiology
Welcome to the University of Manchester and to the field of Audiology. We expect you will have high expectations of this postgraduate programme and high expectations of yourself. Success on a demanding, postgraduate degree programme involves a great deal of commitment and sustained effort on the part of you as a student. You should already be familiar with the terms ‘independent learner’ and ‘enquiry-based learning’ whereby you are expected to be the driving force behind your own learning experience. If you are to be a respected clinician and/or researcher at the end of your training and throughout your career, able to work autonomously and keep up to date, then you need to be clear from the outset that you need to take responsibility for your own learning.
An induction day with all students is arranged during registration week to explain in more detail the expectations and the responsibility for learning that students will have to take.
All students are allocated an academic member of staff as Academic advisor, under the Academic advisory system of the University. Personal development planning is supported by meetings with Academic advisors, dissertation supervisor and Clinical Director. Additionally, academic staff post ‘office hours’ during which students may call for discussion about any matter pertaining to the programmes or curriculum content without an appointment.
Students are strongly encouraged to make use of the extensive practical facilities in their spare time to secure their practical skills, and equipment is made as accessible as possible within the limits of security.
From the first day of the programme, you need to recognise that you will have a fulltime workload. Direct contact time with staff must be supplemented with your own independent study if you are to complete the programme successfully.
Each credit of the 180 credit MSc or the 120 credit Postgraduate Diploma represents ten hours of student work and effort.
What you achieve while you are a student here will depend upon how much you make of the excellent facilities available to you—the library, the IT clusters, helpful staff, and practical and laboratory facilities which you can and should use frequently (available between the hours of 8am and 8pm).
Finally, please note that by accepting a place on this programme, you have entered into a contract with the University. You are expected to adopt a professional attitude to your studies, adhere to the School of Health Code of Conduct and attend all lectures, practicals and timetabled activities.
This programme handbook is absolutely central to your studies. It provides you with key information about the degree content, what the intended learning outcomes are and how we assess whether you have achieved them, what is expected of you as a student and what you can expect from staff. It directs you to other useful sources of information. It is, in part, a record that you keep of exactly what you studied in the programme. If there are changes to course content, you will be given additional sections. It is important for you to have an accurate record of exactly what your cohort has studied: apart from your transcript of marks, future employers, particularly in other countries, may like more detail of your course content.
Summary of MSc/PG Diploma Audiology
The MSc Audiology programme (180 credits) consists of seven 15 credit units and one 30 credit unit, with a 60 credit dissertation. The PG Diploma (120 credits) does not include the dissertation.
The MSc/PG Diploma Units are:
PCHN 60041 Auditory Science
PCHN 64250 Adult Auditory Rehabilitation and Management PCHN 69411 Adult Auditory Assessment
PCHN 60022 Vestibular Assessment and Management PCHN 60052 Paediatric Audiology
PCHN 60060 Professional Practice- includes 1 week of clinical placement
PCHN 60170 Research Methods
PCHN 61610 Dissertation – MSc only (coordinator Dr Kai Uus; individual supervisor allocated during programme)
For detailed specifications, including aims, intended learning outcomes and content for each Unit in the Course Unit handbook.
For details of and requirements for the Dissertation, see the Dissertation Handbook.
For details of and requirements for the Practicals, see the Practicals Handbook.
For details of and requirements for Clinical Placements, see the Clinical Handbook.
One credit equates to 10 hours of ‘student effort’, which includes formal teaching, accessing literature, private study, and preparation for examinations. Thus, for example, the MSc involves approximately 1800 hours of student effort, making it full time across the year when taken as a one year programme.
Full-time MSc students complete all Units and the research dissertation within one academic year, with presentation of their dissertation in early September. (See the Dissertation Handbook for more detailed information on the Dissertation). For PG Diploma students who do not have resit examinations, the programme ends after the June Examination Board (i.e. after the May/June examination period).
In 2024/25 we merged 2 programmes (MSc Audiology & MSc Advanced Audiology Studies) to one programme with 3 pathways:
⦁ Audiology (General)
⦁ Audiology (Advanced)
⦁ Audiology (Paediatric)
Audiology (General Pathway) provides a conventional audiology curriculum with fixed modules worth 120 credits: Auditory Science; Adult Auditory Assessment; Adult Auditory Management & Rehabilitation; Paediatric Audiology; Vestibular Assessment & Management; Professional Practice; Research Methods.
For those wishing to do an MSc, there’s also a 60-credit Dissertation module
Audiology (Advanced Pathway) provides a curriculum for advanced audiology roles in clinical management, clinical practice, teaching and research if you are already a practicing audiologist. There are three “Advanced” option bundles to choose from, which will be detailed in your Welcome Letter information. The candidate can select one of the three option bundles, which include customary Audiology modules: Auditory Science; Adult Auditory Assessment; Adult Auditory Management & Rehabilitation; Paediatric Audiology; Vestibular Assessment & Management; specialist optional modules such as Adults with Complex Needs; multi-disciplinary optional modules such as Dementia – A Person Centred Approach to Enhancing Care, Support; Well-being or Health Policy, Strategy & Leadership; and paediatric optional modules Effective Amplification in Infants & Children; Language Acquisition; Developing Deaf Child; Paediatric Hearing Assessment; Children with Complex Needs; and Changing Paediatric Hearing.
For those wishing to do an MSc dissertation, there’s also a 60-credit Dissertation module and Research Methods (15 credits) is mandatory.
Audiology (Paediatric Pathway) provides a curriculum for paediatric audiology roles if you are already a practising audiologist. There are three “Paediatric” option bundles to choose from, which will be detailed in your Welcome Letter information. The candidate can select one of the three option bundles, which include Paediatric modules such as Effective Amplification in Infants & Children; Language Acquisition; Developing Deaf Child; Paediatric Assessment; Children with Complex Needs; Changing Paediatric Hearing.
For those wishing to do an MSc dissertation, there’s also a 60-credit Dissertation module and Research Methods (15 credits) is mandatory.
Clinical Competence
It is very important that all students recognize that the MSc or PG Diploma in Audiology DOES NOT lead to a qualification to work clinically in Audiology. It is an academic degree that provides some exposure to basic audiology procedures through practical classes and two weeks of clinical placement, but it does not provide clinical competency training. If students want to train as an Audiologist, Clinical Scientist or Hearing Aid Dispenser (all terms used to describe different professionals within Audiology) they must complete an additional clinical training programme. See below for a summary of current career pathways and training in order to be eligible for registration in the UK:
| Title | Qualification | Registering Body |
| Hearing Aid Dispenser | Foundation Degree in Audiology* OR BSc (Hons) in Audiology OR BSc (Hons) in Healthcare Science (Audiology) OR MSc/PG Dip in Audiology + CCC** | State registration with Health Care Professions Council |
| Audiologist | BSc (Hons) in Audiology OR BSc (Hons) in Healthcare Science (Audiology) OR MSc/PG Dip + CCC | Voluntary registration with Registration Council of Clinical Physiologists |
| Clinical Scientist | MSc in Clinical Science + Certificate of Clinical Attainment***, OR Accredited MSc in Audiology + BAA HTS****, OR Certificate of Equivalence***** | State registration with Health Care Professions Council |
* Not provided by The University of Manchester
** Certificate of Clinical Competence
*** Completed through National School of Healthcare Science and is part of Scientific Training Programme
**** British Academy of Audiology Higher Training Scheme
***** See Academy for Healthcare Science
For those students interested in registering as a Hearing Aid Dispenser or Audiologist the Certificate of Clinical Competence may be available starting September 2016. It is likely due to placement capacity restrictions there will be competitive entry onto the CCC programme. More details about training and career progression within Audiology will be covered in week one of the course. Students who are particularly interested in completing the CCC programme should discuss this with the Clinical Director as soon as possible.
Key People
Members of the PDT team and ManCAD staff who contribute to the teaching and/or dissertation supervision are:
| Name | Office | Teams | |
| Dr Richard Baker | B2.14 | 2753388 | richard.baker@manchester.ac.uk |
| Dr Siobhan Brennan | B1.2A | 2758677 | siobhan.brennan@manchester.ac.uk |
| Debbie Cane | B2.13 | 2758679 | debbie.cane@manchester.ac.uk |
| Dr Samuel Couth | B1.9 | 2756924 | samuel.couth@manchester.ac.uk |
| Alice Crutchley | A4.11 | 2753253 | alice.crutchley@manchester.ac.uk |
| Bridget Goodier | B2.16 | 2753434 | bridget.goodier@manchester.ac.uk |
| Dr Antje Heinrich | B2.13 | 2758679 | antje.heinrich@manchester.ac.uk |
| Dr Reza Hoseinabadi | B2.7 | 3061757 | Reza.hoseinabadi@manchester.ac.uk |
| Dr Karolina Kluk – de Kort | B2.15 | 2753371 | karolina.kluk-de-kort@manchester.ac.uk |
| Verity Langlands | B2.16 | 2758679 | verity.langlands@manchester.ac.uk |
| Dr Rebecca Millman | B2.8 | 2753387 | rebecca.millman@manchester.ac.uk |
| Prof Kevin Munro | A3.11 | 2753360 | kevin.munro@manchester.ac.uk |
| Dr Garreth Prendergast | A3.16 | 2758586 | garreth.prendergast@manchester.ac.uk |
| Prof Chris Plack | B1.23 | 2753373 | chris.plack@manchester.ac.uk |
| Lucy Pennington | A4.11 | 2753253 | lucy.pennington@manchester.ac.uk |
| Gabrielle Saunders | A3.16 | 2753386 | |
| Dr Michael Stone | 2758583 | michael.stone@manchester.ac.uk | |
| Dr Kai Uus | B2.1 | 2758282 | kai.uus@manchester.ac.uk |
| Dr Anisa Visram | A3.09 | 3061758 | anisa.visram@manchester.ac.uk |
| Dr Tim Wilding | B2.10 | 2758286 | timothy.wilding@manchester.ac.uk |
SECTION A : Programme Structure
This specification is the formal description of the programme of study, approved by the University’s quality assurance procedures and by external quality monitoring
agencies.
General Information
| Award | Programme Title | Duration | Mode of study |
| MSc/PG Diploma | Audiology | 1 year | Full time |
| School | School of Health |
| Faculty | Biological, Medical & Health Sciences |
| Awarding Institution | The University of Manchester |
| Programme Accreditation | BAA and HCPC |
| Relevant QAA benchmark(s) | Healthcare Programmes: Audiology |
Aims of the Programme
The programme aims to:
| 01. | offer students a broad and thorough education in the identification, assessment, rehabilitation and management of adults and children with audiological and vestibular dysfunction, with a critical and evaluative understanding of the underlying scientific, medical, public health and disability knowledge base |
| 02. | develop practical skills in students such that they are equipped to progress to a clinical competency year in health or other services |
| 03. | meet the requirements of potential employers in the NHS |
| 04. | develop further research and critical skills by undertaking a piece of original research (MSc only)
|
Intended Learning Outcomes of the Programme
A. Knowledge & UnderstandingStudents will be able to: |
|
| A1. | Demonstrate systematic understanding and critical awareness of current problems/new insights of normal and abnormal auditory and vestibular function and behaviour in children and adults |
| A2. | Demonstrate systematic understanding of the pathological processes which affect auditory and vestibular function, and their effects on individuals and families |
| A3. | Demonstrate critical awareness of the approaches and techniques for identification, assessment and rehabilitation of hearing and balance disorders |
| A4. | Demonstrate systematic understanding of the acoustic and psychoacoustic basis of audiology, and of the calibration and physical specifications of equipment used in the identification, assessment and rehabilitation of hearing and balance disorders |
| A5. | Critically evaluate the evidence-based and current research literature for audiology from both scientific and professional viewpoints |
| A6. | Demonstrate a systematic understanding of research methods and statistical techniques in order to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholar in the discipline. |
| Learning & Teaching Processes (to allow students to achieve intended learning outcomes) | Assessment (of intended learning outcomes) | |
| Lectures (A1-A6) | Unseen exams with some seen components (A1-A5) | |
| Demonstrations (A4, A6) | Assignments (A1, A2, A3, A5, A6) | |
| Practical classes (A3, A4) | OSCEs (A3, A4) | |
| Research seminars, topic presentations, dissertation supervision (MSc only); (A5) |
B. Intellectual SkillsStudents will be able to: |
|
| B1. | identify key issues in professionally-related areas |
| B2. | critically review research articles, including the research methodology used |
| B3. | identify gaps in knowledge and formulate appropriate research questions (MSc only) |
| B4. | make informed choices of research methodology |
| B5. | communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences |
| B6. | design, carry out and present a research project/dissertation—MSc only |
| B7 | critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, concepts and data |
| Learning & Teaching Processes | Assessment | |
| Individual supervision and formative feedback, case presentations, topic presentations, completion of PADPs, academic advisorials, group work and group discussion, teaching tutorials, assignments (B1-B7) | Dissertation (B2-B4, B6, B7), assignments (B1, B3, B4, B7), Professional Development Portfolio (B1), presentations (B5, B7), written examinations (B1, B2, B5, B7) |
C. Practical SkillsStudents will be able to: |
|
| C1. | take an observational and supervised participatory role in audiology clinics in the NHS |
| C2. | demonstrate skills in pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, hearing aid fitting, verification and evaluation procedures, paediatric hearing tests, balance tests, speech hearing tests, ear impression-taking, earmould modifications, otoscopy, tuning fork tests, and other clinical test skills, acoustics and psycho-acoustics |
| C3. | carry out appropriate audiometric calibration measurements |
| Learning & Teaching Processes | Assessment | |
| Practicals (C2, C3), clinical placements and tutorials (C1) | OSCEs, practical reports (C2, C3), Professional Development Portfolio, placement supervisor’s report (C1) |
D. Transferable Skills and Personal QualitiesStudents will be able to: |
|
| D1. | use library and computer facilities to access relevant information D2. communicate effectively in writing |
| D2. | communicate effectively in writing |
| D3. | manage self-learning |
| D4. | understand confidentiality issues |
| D5. | manage time and work to deadlines |
| D6. | reflect upon own performance and adjust actions and learning accordingly |
| D7. | use software to manage and analyse data |
| D8. | pursue personal needs for continued professional development |
| D9. | exercise initiative and personal responsibility |
| D10. | make decisions in complex and unpredictable contexts |
| D11. | participate effectively in complex teams |
| D12. | work towards employment as an audiologist in the healthcare sector |
| Learning & Teaching Processes | Assessment | |
| Directed reading (D1), assignments (D1, D2, D5), PDP, Personal and Clinical tutorials (D1, D6) self-directed learning (D3), lectures and practicals (D4, D7), project—MSc only (D3, D4, D5, D7), clinical | Essays and presentations (D2, D3), dissertation—MSc only (D1-D7), assignments, placement supervisor reports (D6, D8-D12), Professional Development Portfolio (D6, D8-D12), written examinations (D1-D3), professional studies assignment (D4), assignments (D5), research methods assignments (D7). |
Structure of the Programme
| Eight compulsory Units of 15/30 credits each, common to PG Diploma and MSc; dissertation for MSc Programme structure and credits | Credits |
| Auditory Science Adult Auditory Rehabilitation and Management Adult Auditory Assessment Vestibular Assessment and Management Paediatric Audiology Research Methods Professional Practices Dissertation |
15 30 15 15 15 15 15 60 |
The detailed specifications, including aims, intended learning outcomes and content for each unit can be found in the programme Blackboard Space under ‘Course Unit Outlines’
Award of MSc and PG Diploma
The PG Diploma will be awarded to candidates who have satisfied the examiners in all units of the programme (120 credits).
The MSc will be awarded to candidates who have satisfied the examiners in all units and the dissertation (180 credits).
Transfer from PG Diploma to MSc
It may be possible, under certain circumstances, for a student to transfer from the PG Diploma to the MSc. This would enable them to explore, in-depth, a specific aspect of Audiology practice, policy, research or education in the form of a 12,000-15,000 words Dissertation (60 credits).
Such a transfer will depend upon:
- numbers wishing to transfer and staff availability for dissertation supervision the payment of the appropriate fee to the University
- satisfactory performance on Course Unit assessments.
Note that dissertation projects are selected in November/December, so transfer decisions should be made if possible before then; late transfer will not be sufficient reason for an extension to the dissertation submission deadline.
Students successfully completing the PG Diploma in Audiology may apply to complete the MSc retrospectively, based on the same criteria as above. Applications should be made to the Faculty Graduate Office in the first instance; completion of the requirements for the Masters degree must occur within a period of five years from their initial registration for the PG Diploma, and successful completion will mean that the previous award of the PG Diploma will be rescinded.
Please refer to the PGT Regulations.
Assessment and Regulations
Postgraduate Taught Degree Regulations for Students
Please be aware that the MSc Audiology has some higher requirements to the University degree regulations and details of these are outlined below.
This programme has a 50% pass mark across all levels and pathways (ie stand-alone units, PGCert, PGDp and MSc)
No compensation to be allowed on any course unit.
Pass Mark and Credits
The pass mark for all examinations, the dissertation and assessed coursework
(assignments) is 50%. Compensation between units is not permitted. The pass mark of 50% applies to all students.
To qualify for the award of the MSc degree, students must complete all the programme requirements with a total of 180 credits.
To qualify for the award of the PG Diploma, students must complete all the programme requirements with a total of 120 credits.
External Examiners
The MSc/PG Diploma in Audiology has two External Examiners who moderate the examining of units and dissertations. Normally, External Examiners attend the Exam Board meeting at the end of Semester 2 each year, and will wish to meet students (usually as a group) during their visit. If the External Examiner cannot attend the Exam Board then a skype meeting will be set up with students.
External Examiner Details
The External Examiners for this programme are Dr Joanna Lemanska & Paul Radomskij.
Role of the External Examiner
External Examiners are individuals from another institution or organisation who monitor the assessment processes of the University to ensure fairness and academic standards. They ensure that assessment and examination procedures have been fairly and properly implemented and that decisions have been made after appropriate deliberation. They also ensure that standards of awards and levels of student performance are at least comparable with those in equivalent higher education institutions.
External Examiner Reports
External Examiners’ reports relating to this programme will be shared with student representatives at the PDT Meetings where details of any actions carried out by the programme team/School in response to the External Examiners’ comments will be discussed. Students should contact their student representatives if they require any further information about External Examiners’ reports or the process for considering them.
Please note that it is inappropriate for students to make direct contact with External Examiners under any circumstances, in particular with regards to a student’s individual performance in assessments. Other appropriate mechanisms are available for students, including the University’s appeals or complaints procedures and the UMSU Advice Centre. In cases where a student does contact an External Examiner directly, External Examiners have been requested not to respond to direct queries. Instead, External Examiners should report the matter to their School contact who will then contact the student to remind them of the other methods available for students.
If students have any queries concerning this, they should contact their Programme Office (or equivalent).
Attendance
Dissertation presentations: those students undertaking a dissertation will present an outline of their proposal at a meeting for all dissertation students, and some staff, in semester 2 (see timetable).
Attendance at the two block clinic placements is part of PCHN60060 (Professional Practice). Students should be prepared to travel to their assigned clinic on a daily basis during those weeks. Note that this may incur travel and/or accommodation costs.
Wellbeing of Students
The support available for MSc/PG Diploma Audiology students from tutors is detailed below. Most tutors and support staff are happy to answer queries by email, but if you wish to see a tutor, you should make an appointment at a mutually convenient time. All tutors display their ‘office hours’ (during which you can see a tutor without a prior appointment) on their office door.
You should notify the Programme Director, your Academic advisor and a member of the School Graduate Team of any change to your personal details.
The MSc/PG Diploma Programme Director and Programme Co-Director:
Dr Kai Uus, Ellen Wilkinson Building, School of Health, Faculty of Biological, Medical & Health Sciences, the University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL
Dr Reza Hoseinabadi, Ellen Wilkinson Building, School of Health, Faculty of Biological, Medical & Health Sciences, the University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL
The Programme Director has an administrative responsibility for the MSc and PG Diploma, with an overview of organisational issues. If students have any comments or complaints then they should email them to kai.uus@manchester.ac.uk or
reza.hoseinabadi@manchester.ac.uk .
Academic Advisor: Dr Kai Uus, B2.1 Ellen Wilkinson Building, School of Health, Faculty of Biological, Medical & Health Sciences, the University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL
Phone: +44 (0) 161 275 8282 E-mail: kai.uus@manchester.ac.uk
For support in your academic progress (e.g. if you fall behind with your work, miss parts of the course due to illness or bereavement, need advice regarding resits, need extensions to deadlines or have other relevant personal issues), then your Academic Advisor is the appropriate person to approach.
The Academic Advisor should be informed of any circumstances (e.g. illness, bereavement, disability or other) affecting attendance or performance on the programme. The Academic Advisor will arrange group meetings with students. The first of these meetings is the induction meeting which takes place during the registration week.
For queries regarding individual lectures, practicals and clinics, the student should first of all seek help from the tutor/lecturer delivering the lecture, practical or clinic. The Tutor for that Unit (i.e. module) is responsible for the overall content, structure, organisation, compilation of the Unit reading list, and setting of examinations for that particular Unit; s/he will be willing to receive comments on or questions about these organisational issues. The Unit Tutor may also be contacted if a student fails a particular Unit. Feedback about each Unit is sought from all students through standard feedback questionnaires.
A Dissertation Supervisor will be chosen from PCHN staff to support MSc students with their Research Dissertation. The member of staff allocated will depend on the topic of the dissertation and the distribution of topics; see the Dissertation Handbook for details of the arrangements for Dissertations. Dr Kai Uus is the member of staff who coordinates the dissertation arrangements.
Issues concerning Practical Classes should be directed to one of the tutors responsible for practicals—for details see the Practicals Handbook.
Issues concerning clinical education and clinical placements should be directed to the Director of Clinical Education Bridget Goodier or Deputy Clinical Director Verity Langlands.
The teaching timetables for the MSc/Dip are supervised by Dr Kai Uus to whom timetable enquiries should be addressed.
Examination matters are managed by the Graduate Administrator, to whom examination enquiries should be addressed.
Facilities for Students
HCD Laboratory
The HCD Laboratory is located on the 4th floor of A Block (A4.12), and students may request access to equipment and calibration facilities, from the Laboratory staff. There are several laboratory working rooms, where students carry out practical workshops and practical examinations. There are also rooms set up with equipment for developing practical skills on the Ground Floor of B Block (see below); students are strongly encouraged to make use of them early in the course (they may become fully booked later).
Laboratory staff are Alice Crutchley (Experimental Officer). BG.20: Audiometric booths
4 x stand-alone audiometers
1 x GSi Tympstar tympanometer
A4.7: 4 x Aurical hearing aid fitting stations.
BG.16: Vestibular Test equipment
A4.11: Speech tests (parrot, FAAF etc)
A check list is available for each room listing the equipment and consumables.
A key aspect of clinical professionalism is taking responsibility for leaving rooms and equipment clean and tidy, ready for the next user. This includes reporting faulty
equipment and re-stocking used materials (or reporting the need for replenishment to the appropriate person).
At the University of Manchester we expect the highest standards from all audiology students, undergraduate and postgraduate, in this respect. We do not expect any materials or equipment to go missing from these rooms, and we will take a very severe view of any such losses.
BG 20 has four audiometry booths, associated equipment, and a cupboard to keep material such as earplugs and insert earphone tips. A4.7has four computer stations with hearing aid test boxes.
The Cubicles on the 4th Floor have Aurical Systems equipped for hearing aid measurements, REMs and audiometry.
Communication and Dress Code for Audiology Students
It has been shown that non-verbal communication is at least as important as verbal communication, so how a student or healthcare professional appears to patients, relatives or colleagues means as much as what he or she says. As healthcare profession students in professional and Clinical Skills Development Labs, you must:
Dress in a manner that adds to, and does not detract from, effective communication. How he/she appears as a student professional is something all students and graduates must consider and respond to. In general, male and female students must be clean and smartly dressed. Thus the following are not permitted as they are deemed to be incompatible with effective, sensitive communication:
Wearing a tee-shirt with slogans
Visible body art
Large amounts of body and face jewellery
Revealing clothing that may be considered unacceptable by patients or peers
Covering most of the face. This is true not only in clinical settings but also throughout the educational elements of the programme which are built around group work with other students and tutors.
Students must be able to participate fully in communication and other skills training, discussion and assessment. As well as adhering to the dress code above, it means being able to interact fully with patients, standardised patients, teachers and examiners of any cultural or ethnic background or either gender.
Whilst individual cultural practice is respected, it is a requirement of working with the deaf and hard of hearing, that there is access to lip-reading and facial expressions. It is therefore very important that during Clinical Skills Development Labs and whilst on clinical placement, that your face be visible at these times. During some practical sessions other students may need to practice audiological procedures on you which will involve uncovering your ears.
Dress Code Whilst On Clinical Placement
In addition to the above code, individual health care organisations will have their own dress policies and these must be adhered to whilst on placement or gaining clinical experience. When accessing a healthcare organisation for a placement or clinical experience, the organisation’s policy should be discussed with your Placement Coordinator prior to commencement of the placement to ensure you know what is expected of you. Failure to comply with an organisation’s dress policy may prevent you from accessing the learning resource.
Additional Costs
Besides your course fees there are a few additional costs which you may encounter during the course. These are as follows (approximate value provided):
British Academy of Audiology annual conference (100 places free, accommodation and travel is additional; After the 100 free places have been allocated a reduced student fee of £95 has been agreed)
Lockers: Lockers for post-graduate Audiology students are provided on floor 4 of A block. There is a £5 refundable deposit payable for the key.
Printing and photocopying costs.
Participation in Professional Organisations
All students are encouraged to join both the British Society of Audiology and the British Academy of Audiology. Student rates apply for those not in employment.
Application forms are available from the Personal Tutors or in the Reading Room; membership of BSA includes subscription (at no extra cost) to the International Journal of Audiology.