Faculty: Health Sciences The Audiology major focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of hearing, balance, and related disorders. Students develop skills in audiological assessment, hearing aid fitting, cochlear implants, and rehabilitation strategies. Graduates are prepared for careers as audiologists in hospitals, clinics, private practices, and educational settings. **Learning Objectives:** - Understand the fundamentals of audiology and hearing science. - Develop skills in audiological assessment and diagnostic techniques. - Learn techniques for fitting and programming hearing aids and cochlear implants. - Explore principles of auditory rehabilitation and counseling. - Analyze and interpret audiological data and patient needs. - Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and clinical skills for effective audiology practice. **Major Outline:** 1. **Introduction to Audiology** - Overview of key concepts, principles, and practices in audiology. - Fundamentals of hearing science, anatomy of the ear, and auditory system. 2. **Audiological Assessment** - Principles of audiological assessment, including pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and impedance audiometry. - Techniques for conducting comprehensive hearing evaluations. 3. **Hearing Aid Technology** - Principles of hearing aid technology, including types, components, and fitting procedures. - Techniques for selecting, fitting, and programming hearing aids. 4. **Cochlear Implants** - Principles of cochlear implants, including candidacy, surgical procedures, and programming. - Techniques for managing and programming cochlear implants. 5. **Auditory Rehabilitation** - Principles of auditory rehabilitation, including counseling, communication strategies, and assistive listening devices. - Techniques for developing and implementing rehabilitation plans. 6. **Pediatric Audiology** - Principles of pediatric audiology, including assessment, diagnosis, and management of hearing loss in children. - Techniques for conducting pediatric hearing evaluations and providing age-appropriate interventions. 7. **Vestibular Assessment and Management** - Principles of vestibular assessment and management, including evaluation and treatment of balance disorders. - Techniques for conducting vestibular assessments and developing management plans. 8. **Internship/Practicum** - Real-world experiences in audiology settings, including internships and hands-on projects in hospitals, clinics, or private practices. - Application of learned skills in practical audiology scenarios. 9. **Capstone Project in Audiology** - Comprehensive project applying skills in audiological assessment, hearing aid fitting, or auditory rehabilitation. - Delivery of a polished audiology project, case study, or research presentation. **Assessment Methods:** - Audiological assessment reports, hearing aid fitting projects, cochlear implant management plans, auditory rehabilitation plans, pediatric audiology studies, vestibular assessment reports, internship/practicum reports, capstone projects, group projects, and presentations. **Recommended Textbooks:** - "Audiology: Diagnosis" by James W. Hall III. - "Hearing Aid Technology" by various authors. - "Cochlear Implants" by various authors. - "Auditory Rehabilitation" by various authors. - "Pediatric Audiology" by various authors. - "Vestibular Assessment and Management" by various authors. **Prerequisites:** Basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and an interest in hearing science and audiology. **Major Duration:** Typically 4 years for a bachelor's degree, including coursework, internships, and capstone projects. For advanced practice, a Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree is often required, which typically takes an additional 4 years. **Certification:** Graduates may receive a degree in Audiology and pursue further education or professional certifications, such as those offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) or the American Board of Audiology (ABA). **Target Audience:** Aspiring audiologists, hearing specialists, and healthcare professionals seeking careers in hospitals, clinics, private practices, educational settings, and various audiology-related roles. This major equips students with the clinical, diagnostic, and rehabilitative skills needed to excel in audiology, supporting careers in various healthcare settings specializing in hearing and balance disorders.