CODE | CMT5004 | ||||||||
TITLE | Psychosocial Aspects of Hearing Loss | ||||||||
UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||
DEPARTMENT | Communication Therapy | ||||||||
DESCRIPTION | This theoretical study-unit addresses the psychosocial aspects of hearing loss. The impact of a hearing impairment on the family and coping strategies related to the diagnosis are discussed. The study-unit also provides knowledge related to the audiologist's role as a 'skilled helper' and how to enhance therapeutic communication and professional relationships. Current trends and research evidence on the effectiveness of working with the family of hearing impaired individuals are evaluated. Ethical and legal aspects of counselling are also discussed. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit aims to familiarise students with an understanding of the psychological effects associated with hearing loss and related disorders, including the related emotional responses of parents/clients as they come to grips with the hearing related condition. Furthermore, this unit aims to equip students with the necessary skills related to guiding and counselling individuals with hearing difficulties and their families. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - comprehend the variations of how individuals perceive sound (including its characteristics such as loudness and the perception of pitch and timing which are all important for understanding detail in speech and environmental sounds); - learn principles related to the impact of hearing impairment and related disorders on the individual and significant others in relation to each other and different environmental situations; - understand the importance of helping skills, such as empathy, which are important to apply with hearing impaired individuals and their families; - identify their limitations of 'counselling' individuals and gain knowledge of when to refer to other professionals as necessary. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to guide carers and individuals with hearing impairment to be able to cope with the diagnosis of hearing loss and/or related difficulties. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Flasher, L. & Fogle, P. (2012). Counseling Skills for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. (2nd Ed.). Australia: Delmar. - Hull, R.H. (1997). Aural Rehabilitation: Serving Children and Adults. (3rd ed.). San Diego. London: Singular Pub. Grp. Inc. - Luterman, M. (Ed.). (2006).Children with Hearing Loss: A Family Guide. US: Auricle Ink Publishers. - Luterman, M. (1987). Deafness in the Family. Deafness in the family. Boston: College-Hill Press. - Stokes, J. (ed.). (1999). Hearing Impaired Infants: Support in the First Eighteen Months. London: Whurr Pub. - Weinstein, B. (2012). Geriatric Audiology. (2nd ed.). New York: Thieme Medical Publishers. |
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STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Group Learning | ||||||||
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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LECTURER/S | Helen Grech Elaine Schembri Lia Nadine Tabone |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |