Audiology (top-up) BSc (Hons)

Our Audiology (Top-up) BSc (Hons) course will broaden your knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of audiology (rehabilitative and diagnostic), as well as giving you the opportunity to complete a research project in a relevant topic of your choosing.

There will be extensive practical elements during the residential days using the latest hardware from Siemens, GN Resound and Interacoustics, supported by interactive learning resources. The residential will give you the opportunity to share your learning journey and experiences with your tutors and peers and to expand your understanding and contacts in a collaborative environment. Our small, friendly, experienced and highly-motivated academic team are assisted by invited external expert speakers.

This course is suitable for practicing Hearing Aid Audiologists with relevant professional body registration (e.g. Registered Hearing Aid Dispenser with Health and Care Professions Council). If you don’t have the relevant professional body registration you might be interested in our BSc Hons Hearing Sciences (Top-up) course.

When you successfully pass all the required modules on the BSc (Hons) Audiology Top-up you can expect to register with the RCCP.

Modules

Tinnitus Assessment and Management

You'll gain an understanding of the consequences, assessment and management of tinnitus. The module will also emphasize evidence-based practice in tinnitus management.

Managing People with Specialist Needs

You’ll develop your understanding of assessment and management of adults with complex and specialist needs, that can arise due to the complex nature of hearing disorder and/or comorbid conditions that are common in the elderly. These skills are particularly important to independent practitioners in audiology to be able to support the needs of the clinical audiology pathway in the current and future service commissioning.

Implantable Hearing Devices

Amplification devices continue to benefit people with hearing loss, although they have some limitations. In the recent years implantable devices have become the management option of choice for many people with hearing disorders. These include: cochlear implants; auditory brainstem implants; bone anchored hearing aids; and implantable middle ear devices. You'll gain an overview of these devices, in terms of its technology, candidacy, day-to-day maintenance, advantages and limitations

Hearing in Children

You’ll discuss the range of hearing disorders common in children and young adults, covering specific topics including: development milestones, hearing disorders, assessment and management of hearing disorders and also understanding the role of other stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams. You’ll also develop your knowledge of the transition of services from children to adults.

Advances in Adult Audiology

Hearing healthcare as a profession is developing rapidly with significant advancements in the diagnosis and management of people with hearing loss. You’ll gain an overview of both diagnostic and rehabilitative measures involved in managing adults with hearing loss with the aim to provide up to date knowledge reinforcing the evidence based practice.

Clinical Competencies in Audiology

You'll undertake supervised learning and training to gain the theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the Clinical Audiology competencies required at assist-level.

If you opt not to complete the Clinical Competencies in Audiology module and complete the rest of the modules you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) Hearing Sciences (top-up) award.

Undergraduate Major Project

You'll create in a substantial piece of individual research and/or product development work, focused on a topic of your choice. You could choose your topic from a variety of sources including research groups, previous/current work experience, your current employer, a suggestion from your tutor or a topic you're specifically interested in. You'll identify problems and issues, conduct literature reviews, evaluate information, investigate and adopt suitable development methodologies, determine solutions, develop hardware, software and/or media artefacts as appropriate, process data, critically appraise and present your finding using a variety of media. Regular meetings with your project supervisor will ensure your project is closely monitored and steered in the right direction.

Assessment

Your progress will be monitored through regular online interaction, including discussion boards, blogs and assignments. You'll complete and submit assignments and your Undergraduate Major Project. There is also a practical exam.

Dr Srikanth Chundu

Course leader

Previously a cochlear implant Audiologist at University of Southampton Auditory Implant Service, and a distance learning tutor for the course, Sri joined Anglia Ruskin University on a fulltime basis in April 2105. He has worked in various settings in Audiology and is currently involved with a number of research projects in collaboration with other Universities, in areas including Cochlear implant rehabilitation, Internet based rehabilitation, Psycho-social aspects of hearing loss and occupational hearing loss.

Sri is a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D), a Master of Science (M.Sc) in Audiology, a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Speech & Hearing: and is registered with the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP) as Audiologist.

Dr Robert C MacKinnon

Senior Lecturer

Robert's undergraduate studies for his BA (Hons) in Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge gave him a broad scientific background. He specialised in Neuroscience in his final year and his undergraduate project was performed in Professor Brian Moore's lab and focused on cochlear implant simulation, and was subsequently published.

Robert completed his PhD in Otorhinolaryngology at the University of Nottingham. He worked in the National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Unit (now Biomedical Research Centre). His project focused on the long-term effects of recreational music listening, and used a novel questionnaire and hearing test to test hundreds of participants online over the internet.

Robert trained clinically as a HCPC-registered Clinical Scientist in Audiology at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, with an associated MSc (Merit) in Clinical Science (Neurosensory) from the University of Manchester. He has experience in paediatric, vestibular, complex adult, and single sided clinics, as well as routine clinics. Robert is also a HCPC-registered Hearing Aid Dispenser.

Our Audiology (top-up) BSc (Hons) course is delivered in a blend of online learning and block residentials to provide a flexible, practical and career-enhancing learning experience.

You’ll study online through Canvas, our world-class Learning Management System (LMS), which can be accessed from your phone, pc or tablet at home or on the move. Canvas provides instant access to study materials, forums, and support from tutors and classmates, as well as enabling easy submission of your assignments.

The residentials are spread monthly during each semester, beginning with a week's induction residential in September. Further compulsory residentials take place in October (up to 5 days), November (up to 5 days), December (up to 5 days), February (up to 5 days), March (up to 5 days) and March/April (up to 5 days) and an exam day in May. There is also a requirement for a 12 hours observation placement in a paediatric setting. Residential dates are provided at the earliest possible opportunity, to enable you to manage your absence with your employer.

On successful completion of your studies you’ll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony on campus. If attending the ceremony in person is not possible then we’ll arrange to have your certificate sent to you.

To help you land your dream job, our Employability Service will work with you throughout your time at ARU and after you graduate.

We offer:

• careers advice, including one-to-one online and telephone appointments with our experienced advisers
• help with your CV, job searches, applications and interview preparation
• an online portal packed with useful careers resources
• our Employability Programme, which helps you hone the skills employers say they want in graduates.

Fees

This top-up degree costs £9,250 in total.

If you opt to study this course over 2 years (subject to availability) the tuition fees you pay each year will be £4,625.

Accredited Prior Learning may reduce the tuition fees. This will be confirmed once your application has been submitted.

Please note that accommodation and personal travel to and from the residentials is not included in the tuition fees.

Funding

Government-backed part time student loans are available to cover the cost of studying this course. These are subject to eligibility and terms and conditions.

We offer payment by instalments, so you can spread the cost of studying with us.

For military students: You can use your ELCs towards this course. Anglia Ruskin University is a recognised ELCAS provider (number 1007). Please contact your Learning Centre for details of ELC, eligibility and how to apply.

For more information on how you fund your studies please see our funding page.