Department of Linguistics
Program |
Dr Elisabeth Harrison, Senior Lecturer and |
Master of Clinical Audiology
What is Audiology?
Audiology is the health-care profession that is dedicated to the identification, prevention and treatment of hearing and balance disorders. Audiology is an applied field that draws on basic sciences but, in itself, is a clinical discipline.
What is an Audiologist?
An audiologist is an allied health professional who diagnoses and manages hearing and balance problems in adults and children. Through intensive academic and clinical training, audiologists provide a comprehensive range of services including:
- Prevention, diagnosis and management of hearing loss and associated communication difficulties in adults and children. (This may include the fitting of a hearing device including cochlear implants.)
- Diagnosis and mangement of auditory processing problems.
- Assessment and management of tinnitus.
- Evaluation and rehabilitation of balance disorders.
Where do audiologists work?
Audiologists are employed in a number of different settings, including private practices, physician practices, hospitals, medical centres, hearing and speech clinics, schools, universities, community outreach settings and in industry. There is currently a very strong demand for qualified audiologists both in Australia and overseas. Because the Master of Clinical Audiology program is a recognised qualification in a number of other countries, audiologists are able to travel and work overseas.
Course Overview
The Master of Clinical Audiology (MCAud) course is a 2-year full time program which includes coursework and supervised clinical practicum. The coursework builds on prior knowledge in the basic sciences and includes units in: hearing assessment; anatomy and physiology of the hearing pathway; the profession of audiology in Australia; counselling and community support and outreach programs; hearing aids and other auditory devices; and aural rehabilitation. During the course, students will complete a minimum of 200 hours of supervised clinical practice, which is a requirement for admission into the professional body, the Audiological Society of Australia.
Strengths of the Program
Audiology is located within the Linguistics Department, in the Faculty of Human Sciences. Therefore the MCAud program has a strong focus on communication, communication disorders and strategies to manage these. The section of Audiology also has an Audiology clinic which offers diagnostic audiology services for adults and children and a rehabilitative audiology service including hearing aid fitting, counselling and tinnitus management for private adult patients. Furthermore, the program has connections with developing countries (including the Philippines and China) which are strongly supported by the Department. Australian Youth Ambassador scholarships are available for the students to assist with the development of the profession of audiology in developing countries.