Audiology Courses

This course is an introduction to speech science. It provides an overview of basic acoustics as well as the structure and function of speech systems. It provides preliminary coverage of theoretical research issues in speech physiology as well as basic topics in speech acoustics such as source-filter theory.

This course will help students acquire a basic understanding of the roles of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists (AUDs) in working with clients with communication disorders. This course is meant to prepare students for further study in other specialized courses; thus, this course is designed to provide an introduction to issues that impact clinical practice in both disciplines/professions (e.g., socio-cultural issues, aging). This course will also discuss advocacy for persons with communication disorders across the lifespan.

This course acquaints students with current theories of language development, the course of language acquisition, and factors that impact language development. The domains of phonology, semantics, morphology, syntax, and pragmatics are addressed, from infancy through adolescence, in spoken and written modalities. Cultural and linguistic variation is discussed throughout.

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a basic knowledge of the neurological foundations for human communication processes. This knowledge will serve as a basis for a variety of classes in the audiology and speech-language pathology curricula.

This course provides knowledge of hearing science at an introductory level. The core of this course is the anatomy and fundamental physiology of the auditory system, from external ear through middle ear, inner to central auditory pathway. It also provides basic knowledge and principles of psychoacoustics and psychological evaluation.

This course considers the articulatory, linguistic, and acoustic aspects of phonetics. The application of phonetics to communication disorders, and training in broad and narrow phonetic transcription are included.

This course deals with an overview of the basic audiological test battery including pure tone air/bone conduction, speech audiometry, immittance measurements and electrophysiologic testing (i.e., otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem response [ABR]). Case studies are used to solidify knowledge into clinical practice. The principles and techniques for audiometric screening are presented.

This course considers diseases, disorders and dysfunction of the auditory system that may be encountered by speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Pathologies of the peripheral and central mechanisms are included.

This course provides advanced knowledge of hearing science in close association with clinical practice of audiology. The focus includes cochlear biophysics, physiology and signal processing, signal processing and neurophysiology in the central auditory system, and advanced discussion of psychoacoustics in association with auditory neuroscience.

This course addresses both the evaluation and implementation of research methods in speech, language and hearing disorders. It focuses on the importance of research to the clinical setting and on the development of skills to evaluate the quality of research findings. It also aims to develop the skills to design and implement theoretical and applied research: searching the literature, focusing it upon a research problem, reflecting upon models or theories and applying hypotheses, constructing internally valid methodology, analyzing and interpreting results, and drawing accurate and useful conclusions.

This course will introduce students to the prinicples and procedures of clinical practice in audiology to develop fundamental skills for clinical competence at an entry level. It will focus on two topics: a) procedural skills and b) interviewing and counseling skills. Students will apply the skills developed in this course to concurrent clinical practicum experiences in audiology.

This course is designed to familiarize students with the general principles and features of communication management programs for preschool and school-age children with hearing loss. Emphasis is placed on the role and appropriate use of audition in the habilitative process.

This course considers the principles and methods of basic audiological diagnostic investigation. Emphasis is placed on speech audiometry, clinical masking, and aural immittance measures. A laboratory component provides experience with measurement techniques and exposure to the instrumentation used in these measures.

This is the first course dealing with amplification. It covers hearing aid components and electroacoustic properties, methods of hearing aid selection, and verification of hearing aid fittings. Hearing needs and amplification options for people of all ages are discussed.

This course considers the theory, technique, clinical application and interpretation of otoacoustic emissions and electrophysiologic measures, including the auditory brainstem response, the auditory steady-state response, and middle and latelatency potentials.

This course will introduce students to the prinicples and procedures of clinical practice in audiology to develop fundamental skills for clinical competence at an entry level. It will focus on two topics: a) procedural skills and b) interviewing and counseling skills. Students will apply the skills developed in this course to concurrent clinical practicum experiences in audiology.

This course is a continuation of CMSD 5071X.

Selected topics relevant to the practice of clinical audiology will be covered including tinnitus, balance disorders, ototoxicity, central auditory plasticity, and audiology instrumentation.

This course considers the appropriate audiological assessment and management procedures used with the pediatric population. The course prepares the audiology student to work with children in a clinical setting.

This course builds on CMSD 6360 and covers advanced hearing aid technology. Emphasis is placed on signal processing, advanced hearing aid features, wireless systems, and selection and verification of technology based on best evidence. Case scenarios provided during labs give students hands-on experience to help improve their understanding of the material.

The student is expected to choose an area of interest to engage in a research project or activity under the direction of a faculty member. Research projects and activities will be assigned to students by a School committee, matching student interest with faculty offerings. A focus of the research experience will be development of critical thinking and writing skills. Products may include a research proposal, research paper, series of critiques of journal articles, as well as other options.

Students are assigned supervised practicum placements on a full time basis for a 12-week period. Placements are in facilities throughout the Atlantic Provinces.

This course presents advanced concepts dealing with measures sensitive to hearing disorders as they relate to central auditory nervous system. Both behavioural and electrophysiological testing will be reviewed. Remediation and auditory training will be addressed. Screening concepts will be explored. Students will be involved in clinical rotation during the semester.

This course covers a wide range of issues in industrial audiology. It acquaints students with principles of noise measurement and analysis, updated studies on noise induced hearing loss, and hearing conservation programs. Various national and international standards, legislation, and workers’ compensation will be addressed in conjunction with community noise. Laboratory experiences in industrial settings and the community are included.

This course is designed to address services and technology offered by cochlear implants (CI) and other implantable devices such as auditory-brainstem implants (ABI), bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA), and middle-ear implants in terms of design, engineering, patient candidacy, surgical procedures, outcomes, and potential complications as well as their impact on the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

This course is a follow-up from CMSD 6360 and CMSD 6560. It is designed to increase students’ knowledge and clinical skills in communication needs assessment, applications of hearing aid technology and wireless accessories to reduce communication difficulties, rehabilitation approaches post hearing aid fitting, and outcome measures in amplification and audiological rehabilitation.

The student is expected to choose an area of interest to engage in a research project or activity under the direction of a faculty member. Research projects and activities will be assigned to students by a School committee, matching student interest with faculty offerings. A focus of the research experience will be development of critical thinking and writing skills. Products may include a research proposal, research paper, series of critiques of journal articles, as well as other options.

Students are assigned supervised practicum placements on a full time basis for a 12-week period. Placements can occur in sites across Canada. Placements outside Canada will be considered if appropriate supervision is available.