Lesson 1Audiogram shapes and diagnostic thinking: high-frequency sloping sensorineural loss usual of noise-induced hearing loss vs flat or combined lossesLooks at common adult audiogram forms, stressing high-frequency sloping sensorineural loss from noise contact versus flat or combined losses, and how these shapes inform diagnosis, outlook, and handling choices.
Reading and describing audiogram shapesNoise-induced high-frequency sloping lossAge-related versus noise-related formsSpotting combined and conductive partsEffects for guidance and treatmentLesson 2External and middle ear check: otoscopy findings to exclude wax, tympanic membrane issues; when to do tympanometry in adultsCovers adult otoscopic and middle ear evaluation, including spotting cerumen, tympanic membrane issues, and when tympanometry is needed, stressing records and effects for further testing.
Systematic adult otoscopy methodCommon cerumen and canal findingsSpotting tympanic membrane issuesReasons for tympanometry in adultsEffect on audiologic test planningLesson 3Objective tests: OAEs for cochlear outer hair cell function, when to order ABR/EP for back-cochlear worriesReviews objective tests for adult evaluation, focusing on OAEs for cochlear state and reasons for ABR or other evoked potentials when back-cochlear issue or nonorganic hearing loss is suspected.
OAE types and clinical usesAnalysing absent or reduced OAEsWhen to order diagnostic ABR testingABR forms in back-cochlear diseaseObjective tests in hard-to-test adultsLesson 4When to refer for medical imaging or ENT: uneven loss, severe one-sided tinnitus, or unusual neurologic signsClarifies when adults with hearing loss or tinnitus should be referred for ENT or imaging, focusing on uneven loss, one-sided tinnitus, neurologic signs, and warning histories suggesting serious underlying issues.
Audiometric standards for ENT referralWarning tinnitus and one-sided symptomsNeurologic and balance warning signsWhen to request MRI or CT imagingCoordinating care and reporting findingsLesson 5Comprehensive adult audiologic background: noise contact, harmful medications, gradual vs sudden start, communication settings, tinnitus features, medical co-conditionsDirects gathering of a thorough adult audiologic background, including noise contact, harmful drugs, start pattern, communication challenges, tinnitus features, and co-conditions, to aid accurate diagnosis and custom handling.
Characterising start and progressWork and leisure noise recordMedication, illness, and harmful riskCommunication and listening setting reviewTinnitus description and effect inquiryLesson 6Key evidence-based resources and clinical practice directives for adult audiologic handlingOutlines key evidence-based directives and agreement statements shaping adult audiologic evaluation and handling, stressing how to find, analyse, and apply them to daily clinical choices for adults with hearing loss and tinnitus.
Main audiology and ENT directive sourcesKey adult hearing evaluation suggestionsTop practices for adult hearing aid fittingDirective use in tinnitus evaluationStaying current with developing evidenceLesson 7Workplace adjustments and communication approaches: meeting approaches, assistive listening devices (FM/remote mic), legal/work thoughts for office staffCovers workplace communication needs of office staff with hearing loss, including meeting approaches, remote microphone systems, reasonable adjustments, and legal safeguards under disability and work rules.
Evaluating workplace listening demandsEnvironmental and meeting changesRemote microphone and FM system choicesTraining communication partners at workLegal and work rights overviewLesson 8Diagnostic audiometry: pure-tone air and bone conduction testing, masking principles, analysis of air-bone gapsGives a structured method to adult diagnostic audiometry, including pure-tone air and bone conduction, masking principles, and analysis of air-bone gaps to separate sensorineural from conductive parts.
Pure-tone air conduction methodsBone conduction and vibration responsesWhen and how to apply maskingAnalysing air-bone gaps correctlyQuality control and retest standardsLesson 9Follow-up plan: hearing aid trials, recovery, auditory training, tracking progress and guidance for preventive hearing protectionDescribes how to create an individual follow-up plan, including hearing aid trials, auditory training, guidance, and tracking progress, with approaches for preventive hearing protection and long-term patient involvement.
Structuring hearing aid trial periodsPlanning and content of follow-up visitsAuditory training and communication recoveryTracking thresholds and practical outcomesPreventive hearing protection guidanceLesson 10Warning signs for urgent medical referral in adults: sudden sensorineural hearing loss, uneven loss, focused neurologic signs, varying symptomsDetails clinical warning signs needing urgent medical referral, including sudden sensorineural loss, unevenness, neurologic findings, and varying symptoms, with timelines, record tips, and patient guidance points.
Standards for sudden sensorineural lossSpotting clinically important unevennessFocused neurologic and balance signsVarying hearing and episodic symptomsUrgent referral routes and guidanceLesson 11Tinnitus evaluation: tinnitus record, psychoacoustic measures, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and guidance approachesInvestigates comprehensive tinnitus evaluation in adults, including detailed record, psychoacoustic measures, validated questionnaires like the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, and how results direct guidance and handling planning.
Key elements of tinnitus case recordPitch and loudness matching methodsMinimum masking level and remaining inhibitionUsing Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scoresLinking evaluation to care planningLesson 12Handling options: hearing aid suitability, selection standards, verification (real-ear measures), and fitting methodsDetails adult hearing aid suitability, selection, verification, and fitting, including needs evaluation, technology matching, real-ear measures, and guidance to aid practical expectations and device uptake.
Determining suitability and motivationSelecting style and technology levelPrescriptive targets and fitting formulasReal-ear verification and fine-tuningOrientation and expectation guidanceLesson 13Tinnitus handling: sound therapy, guidance (CBT principles), referral options, and hearing aid-based tinnitus approachesReviews tinnitus handling approaches for adults, including sound therapy choices, CBT-informed guidance, hearing aid-based approaches, and standards for referral to psychology, ENT, or multidisciplinary tinnitus clinics.
Education and reassurance methodsSound therapy and sound enrichmentCBT principles in tinnitus guidanceHearing aids with tinnitus featuresReferral to specialised tinnitus servicesLesson 14Differential diagnoses: noise-induced hearing loss profile, age-related changes, ototoxicity, Meniere’s disease signs, conductive partsDiscusses differential diagnosis of adult hearing loss, contrasting noise-induced profiles, age-related changes, ototoxicity, Meniere’s signs, and conductive parts, and how test findings direct medical referral.
Noise-induced versus presbycusis formsOtotoxicity record and audiometric signsFeatures suggesting Meniere’s diseaseSpotting conductive and combined lossesCombining data for differential thinkingLesson 15Speech audiometry: speech reception threshold (SRT), word recognition scores (WRS), supra-threshold testing and importance for real-world communicationExplains speech audiometry methods and analysis, including SRT, word recognition scores, and supra-threshold tests, and how these results relate to real-world communication, guidance, and hearing aid expectations.
Speech reception threshold methodsWord recognition test selectionAnalysing WRS and rollover formsSupra-threshold and speech-in-noise testsLinking results to communication needs
