Syllabus for Clinical Audiology I, CD 5701

Instructor: Robert de Jonge, Ph.D., Martin 58

Text: Audiology: Diagnosis, RJ Roeser, M Valente, and H Hosford-Dunn (eds).

Exams: There are three exams, all multiple choice. The final is not comprehensive and will also have a practical component based upon obtaining a valid masked audiogram (using a simulator).

Exam 1: Masking (Section I) Exam 2: SISI, ABLB, OAEs, Tone decay, Békésy (Section II) Exam 3: Diagnostic uses of speech audiometry, introduction to ABR, and functional testing (Sections III-V)

Attendance: Class attendance policy is consistent with University policy. In addition, four absences are allowed for whatever reason (approved or not, at your discretion). Beyond this the final grade is reduced by 1/4 of a letter grade for each additional absence. The final grade will be increased by 1/4 for each of the allowed absences that is not used. Perfect attendance improves performance by one full letter grade.

Topics In general it is assumed that you understand the basic evaluation. Also, It's helpful to learn about hearing disorders and the "gold standard" for identifying acoustic nerve tumors (MRI and CT scans). As an introduction, read Chapters 11 (Pure Tone Tests), 5 (Disorders of the Auditory System), and 6 (Radiographic Imaging in Otologic Disease).

I. Clinical Masking. We will discuss the methods for obtaining a valid masked audiogram: normal procedures, (valid) shortcuts, dilemmas, and masking for speech and other special procedures. Also, we will investigate the theoretical basis of masking as it relates to the clinical setting.

•Read Chapter 12 (Clinical Masking)

II. Behavioral and physiologic site-of-lesion tests specifically related to cochlear pathology: loudness and the difference limen for intensity (SISI, ABLB, MLB) and the direct evaluation of OHC functioning (OAEs). Behavioral tests related to neural function, the phenomenon of adaptation: tone decay procedures and Békésy audiometry.

•Read Chapters 1 (Diagnostic Procedures in the Profession of Audiology), 21 (Otoacoustic Emissions).

III. Diagnostic uses of speech audiometry/central evaluation: the extrinsic redundancy of speech vs. intrinsic redundancy of the auditory system.

•Read Chapters 13 (Speech Audiometry), 15 (Diagnosing Central Auditory Processing Disorders in Children), 16 (Diagnosing Central Auditory Processing Disorders in Adults)

IV. Basics of the auditory brainstem response (ABR). The focus will be upon the use of the ABR in detecting retrocochlear pathology. Also, some attention will be given to the ABR for threshold estimation.

•Read Chapter 19 (The Auditory Brainstem Response)

V. Pseudohypoacusis, the test procedures for evaluating non-organic hearing loss.

•Read Chapter 14 (Audiologic Evaluation of Special Populations), the section on Pseudohypoacusis) p. 329-333.