Bachelor of Audiology
Health Sciences and Social Services - Promotive Health and Developmental Services
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification in Audiology
Purpose
The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with the most updated, contextually relevant, and scientifically accurate knowledge to develop their clinical skills and inherent attitudes consistent with best practices in the profession of Audiology. Learners will have an opportunity to acquire knowledge and development of skills that are consistent with the best practices in the profession of Audiology enabling them to provide appropriate assessment and intervention services in a range of contexts, to persons of all ages, who are at risk for, or present with hearing and/or vestibular disorders.
Upon completion of the qualification, learners will be able to:
- Promote, prevent, assess, restore, maintain, and enhance communicative functioning through appropriate interventions.
- Apply principles of human rights and social justice.
- Deliver services in various sectors to individuals with communication delays or disorders.
- Develop knowledge of South African and global contexts in human communication sciences.
- Analyze sources of poverty, inequality, oppression, discrimination, and exclusion as they affect persons with communication disorders.
- Apply ethical and professional practice and research.
- Develop research capacity in Audiology methodology.
- Identify/assess and treat patients across the disability spectrum independently.
Rationale
The field of Audiology is part of communication sciences and requires professionals to respond to patients with communication disorders. This qualification aims to address the historic exclusions of language-speaking candidates in higher education, ensuring a diverse group of learners are trained to provide audiological services that meet linguistic and cultural needs. The curriculum focuses on evolving practice areas, transforming education and training to rectify incongruities within the profession. The qualification aims to produce competent Audiologists who positively impact the healthcare system, engage with technological advancements, conduct research, and provide services in a culturally responsive manner.
Aims of the Qualification
- Provide comprehensive audiological services in multiple contexts.
- Apply appropriate audiological test protocols and interpret results accurately.
- Design and apply management plans including counselling and rehabilitation programmes.
- Make cost-effective referrals and provide alternative intervention strategies.
- Conduct research ethically in diverse Audiology areas.
- Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, social responsiveness, and cultural competence.
- Adapt to and apply new developments in the field.
- Promote lifelong learning, integrity, and critical evaluation of advancements.
Occupation Opportunities
- Audiologist in public or private sectors.
- Educational Audiologist.
- Industrial Audiologist.
- Sales consultant in a hearing aid company.
- Lecturer/researcher.
- Entrepreneur in private practice or hearing aid company.
- Work in cochlear implant or vestibular rehab teams.
Overall, this qualification aims to develop competent Audiologists who positively impact healthcare systems, meet the needs of diverse populations, and engage in lifelong learning and research in the field of Audiology.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate a holistic problem-solving approach to all learning and tasks relating to the management of audiological disorders in a manner that acts as a springboard to lifelong learning.
- Communicate effectively using all forms of oral and written communication including information technology.
- Demonstrate the required levels of competency to independently select and apply a wide range of screening and specialised audiological assessment approaches and material and to record and interpret the findings.
- Demonstrate the ability to utilise screening and basic assessment and rehabilitation approaches to common speech and language disorders.
- Demonstrate the ability to plan and execute assessments together with the client's family, community and other professionals, appropriate prevention, promotion and intervention programmes in hearing and hearing disorders for individuals, groups, and communities.
- Plan and provide individual and group counselling regarding hearing disorders and their effects, as well as monitor clients' compliance and progress.
- Critically and continuously monitor the effectiveness of own and other interventions against expected outcomes to modify, continue or terminate interventions.
- Impart specific professional knowledge to stakeholders and plan and implement education programmes about the profession for individuals, groups, caregivers, organisations, and the public in general.
- Demonstrate the ability to identify local, regional, and national research needs, develop and execute suitable strategies to research these needs and practically apply the knowledge gained.
- Act professionally, empathetically, and ethnically in all professional interactions and can use a range of specialised equipment, procedures, and programmes in providing relevant services.
- Demonstrate the ability to independently manage all aspects of practice in the public or private sector in a manner based on outcomes measurement and continuous quality management and the ability to develop and implement management programmes that are culturally and linguistically appropriate and to empower individuals and communities.
- Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others as a member of a team group organisation or community and to make appropriate referrals for those needing them.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Critically evaluate, utilise, and integrate material from written, oral, and electronic sources
- Apply academic and theoretical information to practical situations
- Keep accurate records of professional activities
- Write clear professional reports, referrals, and correspondence
- Contribute to policy statements
- Contribute, orally and in written form, on professional matters
- Effectively use electronic and visual media and information technology
- Select and accurately use screening and assessment tools
- Adapt assessment tools to specific situations
- Formulate assessment protocols in the absence of assessment instruments
- Analyse and integrate assessment findings
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Use speech and language screening and basic testing procedures
- Interpret test results
- Apply basic procedures of speech and language therapy
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Collect, organise, analyse, and critically evaluate findings
- Integrate relevant information into a diagnosis
- Select appropriate goals, principles, and methods for intervention
- Show awareness of individual, cultural, and social aspects
- Plan, implement, and evaluate management programmes
- Identify the need for assistive devices
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Assess client's counselling needs
- Plan counselling programmes
- Provide individual and group counselling
- Monitor compliance and progress
- Collaborate with other professionals
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Monitor own intervention and management
- Monitor other professional staff
- Participate in quality appraisal
- Monitor referral sources
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Educate clients, communities, and the public
- Disseminate professional knowledge
- Engage in continuing professional development
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Formulate and write research grants
- Plan and implement research designs
- Analyse and interpret data
- Apply research knowledge judiciously
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Practise within a professional scope
- Comply with legislation and codes of ethics
- Respect clients' rights and community values
- Show sensitivity to cultural, ethical, and individual values
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
- Define outcomes and measure outcomes
- Manage administrative tasks and time
- Keep accurate records
- Manage allocated budget
- Plan and manage functions
- Implement quality management programmes
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
- Use audiological assessment tools
- Maintain equipment in audiological assessment
- Use basic equipment in speech-language therapy
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:
- Perform needs analysis
- Demonstrate knowledge of South African linguistic and cultural complexities
- Apply primary healthcare principles
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12:
- Plan and consult with team members
- Work effectively with health and education team members
- Evaluate the role of audiologists in health and educational settings
- Behave according to professional codes of conduct
- Demonstrate knowledge of referral systems
Integrated Assessment:
- Continuous assessment with feedback
- Summative assessment through examinations, portfolios, simulations, and workplace assessments
- Supplementary assessments for qualifying learners
- Contribution of continuous and summative assessments to final marks
By aligning assessment criteria with exit level outcomes, learners are evaluated comprehensively on their ability to apply knowledge and skills in speech and audiology practices, ensuring they meet the required competencies for professional practice.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree(Min 480)
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 480
- SAQA Source
- More Information
Education Cost Calculator
This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.