Health Sciences and Social Services - Preventive Health
The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners, through a planned combination of learning outcomes, with the knowledge, skills and attitudes consistent with best practice in the profession of Audiology. This will enable graduates to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as an Audiologist and to competently and independently provide appropriate professional services within the scope of practice. Graduates will be prepared to work with persons of all ages who are at risk of or present with vestibular disorders and hearing impairment. Regulations governing Audiologists and their training and scope of practice in the South African context apply. Newly qualified graduates are required to enter community service where they may need to collaborate, plan, set up, and deliver services independently at all levels of the health care system. Effective communication and professional ethical practices, especially when addressing the communication needs of a multicultural and multilingual population, are emphasized in this qualification.
The demand for Audiologists has increased due to technological advancements, research developments, and an aging population. This qualification will meet the needs of stakeholders, academic institutions offering Audiology programs, and the profession as a whole in South Africa. It has the potential to influence national and international policies related to audiology, hearing disorders, health sciences, and education. The impact will extend to Audiology services in South Africa and potentially across the African continent. While Audiology and speech-language pathology are closely related disciplines, they have evolved independently and significantly in the last two decades, each being recognized nationally and internationally as distinct professions. The qualification ensures that learners maintain the necessary knowledge and skills in both Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology to offer quality professional services in the South African context.
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.