Hearing Aid Audiology Foundation Degree (FdSc)

About the course

The Hearing Aid Audiology Foundation Degree (FdSc) gives you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and professional skills as a competent hearing aid audiologist.

You will balance professional practice with core skills in:

• Basic sciences
• Medical aspects of audiology
• Counselling and rehabilitation

Reasons why you should choose to study Hearing Aid Audiology at DMU

• Successful completion of this course provides eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Professionally recognised by independent sector employers and the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework
• Its an employer practice-focused degree and will equip you with the transferable expertise including clinical management, practice and teaching skills
• Continue to earn a salary while you study

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Key facts

Direct entry to DMU: B61011

Duration: Two years (ten one-week blocks in the first year and eight one-week blocks in the second year)

Institution code: D26

Entry and admission criteria

2013/2014 UCAS Points A minimum of 180 points
GCSEs

• 5 GCSEs at grade C or above including Maths, English and Science. Plus one of the following

Alevels

• Normally with at least 180 points from a minimum of 1 a level to include a Science subject

BTEC

• BTEC National Diploma - Science with Merit/Merit/Pass (200) points
• BTEC National Certificate - Distinction/Merit. Must meet Science requirement
• BTEC National Award - only in combination with other accepted qualifications. Must meet Science requirement
• BTEC Extended Diploma (3 A2s) - Science BTEC with Merit/Merit/Pass (200) points
• BTEC Diploma (2 A2s) - Science BTEC Distinction/Merit (200) points
• BTEC 90 credit Diploma - Distinction/Distinction
• BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (1 A2) - only in combination with other accepted qualifications. Must meet science requirement
• BTEC certificate (1 A1) - only in combination with other accepted qualifications. Must meet science requirement

Access Course Pass in Access to Science. English and Maths GCSE equivalency required, 12 level 2 credits in each subject

Interview:
Yes - may be required depending on individual applicant

Work Experience:
Must be in relevant employment and be sponsored/ supported prior to the start of the course

International Baccalaureate: 26+ with 6 higher level points in a Science subject

You must be sponsored by an employer and this must be arranged prior to the start of the course.

You must complete an occupational health check, declaration form and enhanced CRB disclosure application form before starting the course, which needs to be cleared in accordance with DMU’s admissions policy. Contact us for up-to-date information.

You must be in sufficiently good health to practice without risk to yourself or others and demonstrate knowledge of the profession

International students:
If English is not your first language, we require an English language level of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

Personal Statement selection criteria

• Clear communication skills, including good grammar and spelling
• Information relevant to the course applied for
• Interest in the course demonstrated with explanation and evidence
• If relevant for the course - work and life experience

Teaching and assessment

The course team have research interests in ear measurements and modern methods for fitting hearing aids. Research interests include:

• Accessibility to audiology services for the over 65s
• Simulated hearing loss amplification and modelling
• Dizziness assessment and management
• Accessibility to audiology services from diverse populations

An average week consists of 21 hours of learning. A variety of assessment methods are used with an emphasis on practice skills, including essays and exams, seminar and poster presentations, and also video and wikis, which develop IT and media skills.

A distance learning element may be available for several modules in year one.

The Audiology division has developed strong links with the independent sector and NHS, resulting in regular visits from experts to assist with teaching and learning.

You will also benefit from workshops run by leading hearing aid manufacturers including;

• Starky
• Phonak
• Oticon
• Unitron
• Siemans
• GN Resound

Course modules

First year

• General Science and Quantitative Skill
• Audiology Techniques 1
• Auditory Rehabilitation 1
• Anatomy, Physiology, Medical Aspects of Audiology
• Professional Practice 1

Second year

• Audiological Instrumentation and Specialist Sciences
• Audiology Techniques 2
• Auditory Rehabilitation 2
• Project Literature Review
• Professional Practice 2

Academic expertise

Teaching staff include:

• Work-based practitioners
• Manufacturers
• Employers
• Academics

All have a wide experience as both professionals and teachers in a range of audiology subjects and work in various clinical, practice, scientific and educational areas.

Industry links and professional accreditation

The high level of input received from industry practitioners in the delivery and methods of teaching enhance your learning experience, making it much more relevant to working practice.

TheHealth and Care Professions Council| (HPC) recognises the high standard and quality that this course provides, and means that upon successful completion of the course you will be eligible to register with the HPC to practise as a Hearing Aid Dispenser in the independent sector.

Work experience and placements

You must be in full-time employment throughout the course in order to ensure appropriate training is completed.

Graduate careers

Graduate career opportunities can be found in one of the large independent hearing aid companies, and many of our graduates have gone on to work in companies such as Hidden Hearing and Amplifon, independent high street practices, or with NHS Audiology Departments.

This is one of a series of progressive courses including, an MSc in Auditory Science| and a taught professional doctorate.

Fees and funding

UK/EU Full-time £6,000

Please note: these fees are for 2012 and are subject to change.

Learn more about fees and funding information|.

Scholarships

Learn more about our Undergraduate scholarships| and awards information.

Facilities

Investment of £8 million in our first-class teaching and learning facilities helps develop your practical experience and enhance your employability.

The audiology division boasts 3 dedicated clinical areas:

• The Rehabilitation Suite
• The Diagnostic Suite
• The Balance/Vestibular Laboratory (Located at the Leicester Royal Infirmary).

All clinical areas contain some of the latest equipment and are designed around teaching and research needs.

The Rehabilitation and Diagnostic suites are accessible to students in their free time and when not in use for teaching, allowing practice of key skills..