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Introduction
Why choose this course?
Key features
 100% of students were satisfied overall with the course (National Student Survey, 2022).
 Provides eligibility for registration by the Health and Care Professions Council and produces graduates who meet the published national Standards for Hearing Aid Dispensers in the independent sector and for Associate Practitioners in Audiology within the NHS.
 Produces graduates who can bring qualities of critical judgement and reasoning to their chosen occupationand who are capable of applying both academic and clinical audiological knowledge.
 Provides students with an intellectually rigorous and up-to-date education in defined areas within audiology that will help to achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals.
 Volunteering opportunities locally, nationally and internationally available through our career enhancing DMU Global and Square Mile programmes.
 Offers a range of practical opportunities to develop your skills which recently saw our students provide hearing tests at the Special Olympics.
 Facilities benefiting from the latest equipment providing a dedicated setting and relevant workplace experience, including ‘virtual patient’ software.
Overview
The foundation degree in Hearing Aid Audiology is a vocational programme designed to meet the needs of your employer, other audiology professionals and people who experience hearing loss.
The foundation degree (FdSc) in Hearing Aid Audiology enables the student to safely and effectively learn audiological theory and practical interventions that are evidence-based and responsive to the needs of diverse hearing-impaired communities. You will also to be sensitive to the needs of service users and carers, working in partnership to empower and enable them.
The programme is delivered using a blended learning approach with interactive and web-based lectures and seminars alongside teaching based at the university.
Modules
PHASE ONE
Phase One is a blended learning approach using interactive and web based lectures and seminars to develop learning, these are reinforced with residential teaching based at the university and hence the majority of phase one is delivered off site.
 Audiological Techniques 1
 Auditory Rehabilitation 1
 Anatomy, Physiology Medical aspect of Audiology
 Professional Practice 1
PHASE TWO
Phase Two is delivered at university in one week blocks and allows for greater interaction and engagement. This is a key characteristic of the programme and allows a deeper level of learning and reinforcement.
 General Science & Quantitative Skills
 Audiological Techniques 2
 Auditory Rehabilitation 2
 Project
 Professional Practice 2
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry criteria
Entry onto the Foundation Degree has to be supported by an employer who agrees to provide you with a suitably qualified and experienced clinical educator/supervisor.
Students may be required to attend for interview at which the appropriateness of their previous individual experience and learning will be considered prior to being allocated a place.
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check: Yes
You must complete an occupational health check, declaration form and enhanced DBS disclosure application form before starting the course, which needs to be cleared in accordance with DMU’s admissions policy.
We strongly advise that you opt for the DBS update service as it is possible that future placement providers may request a recent DBS and not one from the start of the programme. If you decide not to opt for this service then you will have to pay for the DBS again if requested by your placement provided – the university will not cover this cost.
Mature Students (>21 years old)
Alternative relevant educational experience will be considered for mature students, including the Hearing Care Assistant Course, experience in working with people, administration, finance and management.
GCSE
 Five GCSEs at grade C or above, including Maths, English and Science plus one of the following:
A-Level
 Normally 32 UCAS Points from at least one Science A Level or equivalent
BTEC
 BTEC National Diploma: Science BTEC with Pass/Pass/Pass
 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
 BTEC Diploma (2 A2s): Science BTEC Distinction/Merit
 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 to HE Diploma: Pass in Access to Science. English and Maths GCSE equivalency required, 12 level 2 credits in each subject
International Baccalaureate: 26+ points
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Teaching and assessments
The course has been uniquely structured and designed to meet the needs of the industry and the professional body.
Teaching sessions include:
 Formal and interactive lectures
 Staff and student seminars
 Tutorial discussions
 Practical and clinical based workshops
Assessment methods include:
 Written exams
 Coursework (essays, posters, wikis)
 Presentations
 Dissertation
 Practical and clinically-based assessment activities
Teaching contact hours
A variety of teaching and learning approaches will be used so contact hours in a typical block week may vary. Typically, Phase 1 consists of 84 contact hours of teaching across 3 block weeks and phase 2 consists of 192 contact hours of teaching across 8 block weeks.
Personal study will form a significant part of learning hours and independent study is expected throughout both phases.
Academic expertise & accreditations
The teaching staff have a range of backgrounds and specialist areas. There is a combination of staff with strong clinical and academic backgrounds. Invited guest lecturers are used, as well as current clinical practitioners.
One of the strengths of the team is their diversity and this has made students feel able to approach staff for help and relate better with their tutors.
Accreditation: This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Students are expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct published by HCPC, and ensure they are fit to practise.
Career Opportunities
Placements
As part of this you will be allocated a practice educator to support you through the work-based learning elements of the course and supervise you in learning your practical competencies. Your placement will be a chance for you to interact with a wide range of client and patients, and link theory and practice to enable your progression towards full competencies.
The university will expect the employer to give you direct experience of work and the opportunities to link theory and practice. Your employer will need to:
 Nominate a practice educator who will be responsible for your development, and enable you to gain and apply experience, knowledge and skills.
 Ensure the practice educator has the skills and knowledge to be able to supervise you in learning your practical competencies.
 Ensure the practice educator understands their responsibilities for your day-to-day supervision and provides work-based opportunities for you to interact with a wide range of client and patients, undertake regular monitoring and assessment.
 Give your practice educator time to attend training or update events.
 Make the practice educator aware of their responsibility for ensuring the standards of practice meet the programme requirements.
In turn, you will be expected to further good relationships between the university and your employer and share work-based experiences and knowledge with peers and tutors.
Practice Experience
It is a requirement of the programme to demonstrate professional practice, in order to progress and graduate. During the course of the programme you will complete a portfolio evidencing your development and competence.
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