Introduction to Hearing Science and Technology

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• A.Describe the anatomy and physiology of the normally functioning and impaired auditory systems.
• B.Describe basic physical and mathematical principles relating to the representation and analysis of signals used in audiological assessment and rehabilitation.
• C.Explain (i) key processes involved in hearing (e.g. signal detection, frequency resolution, loudness, and binaural hearing), (ii) how these are affected by different forms of auditory dysfunction and hearing impairment, (iii) key psychoacoustic methods used to explore hearing and the effects hearing loss.
• D.Describe the basic components and operation of hearing technology and explain how they are intended to address the effects of hearing impairment

Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology •Introduction to epidemiology of hearing loss •The anatomy and physiology of the normally functioning and impaired auditory system •Pathophysiology of outer and inner hair cell loss Physical acoustics relevant to audiology •Fundamental and derived physical quantities and their units •Simple and complex vibratory motion including pure tones, noise and speech •Units of intensity, frequency and time; power and intensity, the decibel (logarithms) •Signals and noise in relation to signal detection, speech perception, and rehabilitation. •Transmission and propagation of sound •Basic manipulation of sounds, including attenuation, amplification and filtering •Introduction to calibration •Time and frequency domain representation, and frequency response functions in the context of hearing devices •Linearity and nonlinearity, distortion in relation to physiology, sound perception and hearing aid technology Auditory perception: background to hearing loss and clinical audiology techniques •Classical and modern psychoacoustic methods, including threshold measurement of auditory signals, psychometric functions and subjective scaling techniques •Hearing acuity (e.g. absolute thresholds, signal detection, effects of hearing loss, dead regions), with links made to hearing technology features (e.g. amplification, frequency compression, assisted listening devices) •Supra-threshold aspects of hearing (e.g. loudness, pitch, masking, frequency resolution, temporal resolution, differential thresholds and effects of hearing loss), with links made to hearing device features (amplitude compression, directional microphones, assisted listening devices) •Speech intelligibility, effects of hearing loss and inter-relationships amongst abovementioned measures of hearing function •Binaural hearing and effects of hearing loss, with links made to hearing device features (e.g. bilateral technology, contralateral routing of signals) •Introduction to additional approaches to hearing science including imaging Hearing technology •Classification of hearing technology relevant to hearing loss and audiology •Introduction to hearing technology components and operation •Introduction to sound processing in hearing technology, including analogue-to-digital conversion and digital representation, filtering, amplitude compression, electroacoustic characteristics and standards •Rationale for different hearing technology based on physiology and psychoacoustics of hearing loss •Introduction to technology of the future

•Lectures and seminars in a formal classroom setting. During these lectures there may be small group work. •Practical sessions and demonstrations •Quizzes and other formative assignments (which do not count to your module mark) •Working in your own time and in timetabled independent learning sessions. You are expected to read supporting texts outlined in the book list and make reference to appropriate academic journals in order to support lectures. •A formative counterpart to the summative assessment •Tutorials or meetings with the module staff on request

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.