Hearing Instrument Practitioner (Diploma)
Curriculum Guideline
Effective Date:
Program code
DPHEAR
Discontinued
No
Program
Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Hearing Instrument Practitioner
Credential type
Diploma
Transcript title
Hearing Instr. Practitioner
Date of first offering
Start term
201730
End term
Not Specified
Credential
Diploma
Length of program
Two years
Credits
60.00
Admissions requirements
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
- General College Admission Requirements
- High School Graduation (successful completion of two three-credit university transfer courses may be substituted for high school graduation)
- Foundations of Math 11, Pre-Calculus 11 or Pre-calculus 12 with a minimum of C (or equivalent)
- Signed documentation of a Hearing Clinic tour or signed attendance at a Douglas College Information Session for the Hearing Instrument Practitioner Program
- Criminal Record Check (CRC) - This program requires students to train in an environment that requires individuals to provide proof of a satisfactorily completed, current CRC for the protection of the clients. To meet this requirement, prospective students must submit to a current CRC as a condition of entry to the program. All costs related to the completion of this search are the responsibility of the individual student. The Registrar's Office will provide instructions on obtaining a CRC after an offer of admission is made
- Applicants may be required to attend a personal interview that will be used for the purposes of providing information and academic counseling
Curriculum framework
Graduation Requirements For Students Completing By Summer 2023:
- Successful completion of 60 credits
- 25% (15 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
- Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: seven (7) years
Graduation Requirements For Students Completing After Summer 2023:
- Successful completion of 60 credits
- 50% (30 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
- Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: seven (7) years
- Graduate in Good Academic Standing (Cumulative GPA of 1.50 - See Academic Performance Policy)
Course Requirements:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|
Workplace Communications |
3.00 |
|
|
Hearing Aids and Bioacoustics I |
2.00 |
|
|
Anatomy and Physiology of the Ear |
3.00 |
|
|
Introduction to Hearing Aids |
3.00 |
|
|
Introduction to Hearing Testing and Clinical Practices |
4.00 |
|
|
Hearing Disorders |
3.00 |
|
|
Introduction to Hearing Aid Fitting, Analysis and Verification |
4.00 |
|
|
Introduction to Audiometry |
4.00 |
|
|
Clinical Practicum Introduction |
4.00 |
|
|
Hearing Aids and Bioacoustics II |
2.00 |
|
|
Hearing Instrument Practitioner Regulation |
2.00 |
|
|
Advanced Fitting and Clinical Practices |
3.00 |
|
|
Audiometry II |
4.00 |
|
|
Hearing Impaired Patient Interaction |
2.00 |
|
|
Peripherals and Assistive listening Devices |
3.00 |
|
|
Clinical Practicum II |
4.00 |
|
|
Audiometry III |
4.00 |
|
|
Clinical Practicum III |
6.00 |
|
|
Total Credits |
|
60.00 |
Learning outcomes
The goals and objectives of the proposed Hearing Instrument Practitioner Program are to offer theoretical and practical training which would prepare graduates for a career as a Hearing Instrument Practitioner as regulated by the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC.
Weekly hands on practical training in an equipped hearing lab will provide students with the applied skills to enter the workplace, ready to fill a needed void in the BC sector. Extensive consultation with various stakeholders including employers and the provincial regulatory body indicated the need for a regular on-campus practical training component to better prepare students for the profession. Development of a Program Advisory Committee would provide regular input from major stakeholders in all areas of our program to ensure we continually evolve, staying highly relevant to industry needs.
Classroom training will be supplemented by practicum placements as an opportunity to transition theoretical and practical skills into the clinical environment. The program w ill also have a focus on building strong community ties through local hearing clinics in conjunction with suppliers to aid in providing needed care to financially challenged individuals. This component will provide students with an inspiring and rewarding sense of community along with providing real world patient interactions.
Students who complete the diploma program will benefit in the following ways:
- Obtain both academic and applied knowledge within the hearing profession
- Gain necessary skills in professional communication, critical thinking, and auditory analysis
- Acquire an understanding of professional, social and ethical responsibilities
- Expand their professional networking opportunities
- Enter a professional career with a positive employment potential and growth
- Obtain a sense of community involvement by helping others understand hearing loss, prevention of hearing loss and the positive effect on hearing aids to the end user
The Hearing Instrument Practitioner Diploma Program would prepare graduates to challenge the provincial regulatory body, the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC licensing examinations.