LIN 213: Introduction to Audiology - Course Syllabus 1

Katherine Duncan, AuD

Contact: katherine.duncan@maine.edu

Virtual Office Hours: As needed

LIN 213: Introduction to Audiology

Course Syllabus

Course Meetings: Wednesdays, 5:00-7:30pm, September 2nd-December 9th, 2020

Course Mode: Online Synchronous

Course Location: Course meetings will occur via Zoom; the link will be posted to Brightspace.

Materials & Books

Required

● No required textbook; readings will be provided from various online sources (American Academy

of Audiology, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Audiology Online, etc.)

● Links to required readings will be posted on Brightspace

● Discussion of readings will be a part of each class meeting, and will be structured according to the

following:

○ What questions do you have about the reading (new terminology/concepts, etc.)?

○ What surprised you from the reading?

○ Was there anything from the reading that you disagreed with?

○ What was your biggest takeaway as a potential future audiologist?

Technology Requirements

● Access to a computer and webcam will be valuable to facilitate class participation.

● See the “Technology” section for information on Brightspace’s tech requirements.

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Course Description

This Introduction to Audiology course is designed to pique your interest in the field. Audiology is the

study of hearing, balance, and disorders arising from the auditory and vestibular systems. Audiologists

work in a variety of different settings, with patients across the lifespan, in order to support the best

possible quality of life for the patients and families they encounter. My goal is to support you in

determining whether becoming an audiologist might be of interest, and if so, which of the many areas of

audiology you wish to pursue.

Learning Outcomes

1. Define the term “audiologist” and explain some of the roles an audiologist might fill.

2. Explain how hearing occurs, including the various involved components of the auditory system and

their roles.

3. List the types of assessments used to determine an individual’s hearing levels.

4. Interpret an audiogram.

5. Describe the various hearing assistive technology options available to individuals who are deaf and

hard of hearing.

6. Compose an audiology report based on the case history and test results of a given patient.

7. Identify and differentiate the various communication modalities used by individuals who are deaf

and hard of hearing.

Structure & Format

While this course is Online Synchronous, lectures and discussions are not expected to take the full 2.5

hour weekly session. Instead, a short weekly lecture will be provided to supplement required readings,

and the remaining time will be used to discuss the topic at hand, including the readings, and answer

questions that might arise. Because the goal of this course is to foster interest in the profession,

assignments have been chosen to both increase knowledge and skills as well as highlight some of the

more interesting parts of working as an audiologist.

The syllabus is subject to change throughout the semester, dependent on a variety of factors. The

syllabus on Brightspace will be kept up-to-date, and announcements regarding any changes will be

posted to Brightspace.

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Assessment

Progress toward learner objectives will be assessed through the following activities:

What is audiology? Due Date: 09/09/2020

Part 1: What do the terms “audiology” and “audiologist” mean to you? Without doing any prior research,

write your own definition of these terms and any preconceived notions you may have regarding this

profession. If you’re already very familiar with audiology, that’s great! Go ahead and write about your

experiences. If you know nothing about audiology, that’s fine too – just write whatever you think you

know (or don’t know) about the profession. Then, read the scope of practice documents from AAA and

ASHA posted on Brightspace. Part 2: Write an additional paragraph to reflect on the following

questions: is there anything that surprises you from reading the scope of practice documents? Why or

why not?

Elevator Speech Due Date: 09/23/2020

Based on information gleaned from the lecture and the Amplifon “Interactive Ear” module, provide your

“elevator speech” to describe the process of hearing and the function of the outer ear, middle ear, and

inner ear components. This should be something you could explain to someone in about 30 seconds. 5

bonus points for recording your speech in video format instead of submitting in writing!

How’s Your Hearing? Due Date: 09/30/2020

Take the online hearing test linked on Brightspace. Write a paragraph regarding your experience. What

were the pros and cons of taking the test in this way? Do you feel the results accurately reflect your

hearing? Why/why not?

Build a Better Hearing Aid Due Date: 10/14/2020

Explore the hearing aid technology from the various hearing aid manufacturers most widely used by

audiologists in the U.S. (linked in Brightspace). Then, describe a new hearing aid feature that you would

like to see in a hearing aid, either for yourself or to improve the quality of life for hearing aid users in

general. Be creative! With advances in technology, there are tons of bells and whistles among existing

hearing aids, so please try to create a feature that is not commonly found in today’s hearing technology.

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Pick Your Cochlear Implant Manufacturer Due Date: 10/21/2020

Cochlear implant recipients are often presented with promotional materials from each of the three top

CI manufacturers in the U.S. before being asked to choose a manufacturer for implantation. This is a

huge choice as the implant will be in place for the rest of their lifetime in the vast majority of cases.

Review the websites for Advanced Bionics, Cochlear, and MED-EL. Then, answer the following

questions: which manufacturer would you choose, and why; and which manufacturer are you least

impressed with, and why.

What kind of audiologist are you? Due date: 10/28/2020

Based on what you’ve learned in this course so far, please pick the area of audiology in which you would

be most interested in practicing. Describe your dream audiology job! Explain your rationale and

describe what you think a typical week in this role might look like.

Communication Modalities Due Date: 11/18/2020

Ideally, families of children who are deaf and hard of hearing are presented with all potential

communication modalities for their children and allowed to choose which modality works best for their

child and family. Imagine that you are the parent of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing. Which

modality would you choose, and why? Draw from the 10/28/2020 guest lecture from Amy Spencer, as

well as the readings assigned for this topic.

Case Report Due Date: 12/02/2020

In order to provide the experience of writing an audiology report, you will be provided with case history

details, symptoms, audiogram, and other relevant evaluation findings for a patient. You will write a case

report based on the findings of this evaluation. This report should include the following sections: Case

History, Description of Hearing Levels, Summary of Test Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations.

A sample format is available on Brightspace.

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Grading Criteria

Assignment / Assessment Value

What is audiology? 10 pts

Elevator Speech 10 pts

How’s Your Hearing? 10 pts

Build a Better Hearing Aid 10 pts

Pick Your CI Manufacturer 10 pts

What kind of audiologist are you? 10 pts

Communication Modalities 10 pts

Case Report 10 pts

Final Exam 20 pts

Course Evaluations

At the end of each semester, every student has the opportunity to provide constructive feedback on

their courses. It is important to me that you take the time to let me know your thoughts about the

course. I use your feedback to make improvements to the course materials, assignments, and outcomes.

Course Policies

Grading Scale

100-93% = A

92-90% = A-

89-87% = B+

86-83% = B

82-80% = B-

79-77% = C+

76-73% = C

72-70% = C-

69-60% = D

60% or lower = F

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Attendance and Late Work

You may turn in assignments early. However, work submitted after an assignment due date, unless

otherwise cleared by the instructor, will be penalized. Assignments submitted more than 5 days after

their due date without prior contact with the instructor will not be accepted.

Withdrawal from the Course

The last day to withdraw from this course and receive a full refund is September 13, 2020.

For more information, review USM’s Add/Drop and Withdrawal Policies1.

Class Cancellation

If a class meeting is cancelled, an announcement will be posted on Brightspace and I will send an email to

you all.

Inclement Weather

From time to time, USM will determine to close the university due to inclement weather. When the

cancellation is for an entire day, the class content will be made up at another time or through additional,

outside-of-class assignments.

When the university opens late or closes early and the time selected is during the middle of class, we will

still hold the class unless you are otherwise notified by me. Two examples:

● If class starts at 5pm but the University is closing at 5:30pm, we will still have class unless you

hear from me.

● If class starts at 5pm but the University is opening at 5:30pm, we will still have class unless you

hear from me.

Academic Integrity / Plagiarism

Everyone associated with the University of Southern Maine is expected to adhere to the principles of

academic integrity central to the academic function of the university. Any breach of academic integrity

represents a serious offense. Each student has a responsibility to know the standards of conduct and

expectations of academic integrity that apply to academic tasks. Violations of student academic

1 https://usm.maine.edu/reg/addingdroppingwithdrawal

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integrity include any actions that attempt to promote or enhance the academic standing of any student

by dishonest means. Cheating on an examination, stealing the words or ideas of another (i.e., plagiarism),

making statements known to be false or misleading, falsifying the results of one's research, improperly

using library materials or computer files, or altering or forging academic records are examples of

violations of this policy which are contrary to the academic purposes for which the University exists.

Acts that violate academic integrity disrupt the educational process and are not acceptable.

Evidence of a violation of the academic integrity policy will normally result in disciplinary action. A copy

of the complete policy may be obtained from the Dean of Students Office website2 or by calling and

requesting a copy at (207) 780-5242.

Final Examinations / Final Project

A final examination will be proctored during the regular course period on December 16th. This is a

cumulative assessment of knowledge and skills taught throughout the course. An emphasis will be

placed on audiogram/case interpretation, as this best reflects the full range of information learned by

participants in the class. A review will occur during the course period on December 9th to ensure that

students feel prepared for this assessment.

It is a USM academic policy that no tests or exams may be scheduled during the last week of classes.

Course Schedule

Readings / Assignment Schedule **(subject to alteration with notice)**

Readings and Assignments are all posted on Brightspace. A lecture based Zoom Meeting will be held for

all class meetings unless otherwise noted below. Reading and assignments should be completed prior to

the beginning of the class period.

2 https://usm.maine.edu/community-standards-mediation/academic-integrity

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Week Topics and Activities Relevant

Outcomes

1 Course Introduction, Syllabus Review (Zoom Meeting 9/2/2020)

2 What is an Audiologist/My Journey into Audiology (Zoom Meeting 9/9/2020) 1

3 Hearing/Auditory System and Audiogram Interpretation (Zoom Meeting 9/16/2020) 2, 4

4 Behavioral Audiometry (Zoom Meeting 9/23/2020) 3

5 Electrophysiology and Other Testing (Zoom Meeting 9/30/2020) 3

6 Hearing Aids and Remote Microphone Technology (Zoom Meeting 10/7/2020) 5

7 Cochlear Implants and Implantable Hearing Devices (Zoom Meeting 10/14/2020) 5

8 Specialized Areas of Audiology (Zoom Meeting 10/21/2020) 1

9 Communication Modalities with Guest Lecturer Amy Spencer (Zoom Meeting 10/28/2020) 7

10 EHDI (No Zoom Meeting this week – complete reading on Brightspace) 1

11 No Class – Veteran’s Day

12 Case History and Report Writing (Zoom Meeting 11/18/2020) 6

13 No Class – Thanksgiving

14 Case Studies (Zoom Meeting 12/2/2020) 6

15 Review (Zoom Meeting 12/9/2020)

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Technology

Technology Support Center (Help Desk)

If you need technical support at any time during the course (especially concerning Brightspace), please

contact the Technology Support Center:

Phone: (207) 780-4029 or 1-800-696-4357

Email: help@maine.edu

● You need a maine.edu account to access most of our online resources. If you can’t remember

your account information, visit the UMS User Account Management website3 or contact IT at 1-

800-696-4357 and ask them to help you access your maine.edu account.

● The USM Portal4 can be used to reach your student email, Brightspace, MaineStreet and most

other university online tools through a single website.

● If this is the first time you’ve used Brightspace, Log into our Brightspace website5 and tap the

“Student Training” link in the right-hand column of the page.

Computer Access

Participants will need a reliable PC or a Mac with the latest version of a web browser. In addition, you

will need a broadband Internet connection (DSL or faster). Below is a suggested list of recommended

software you may need to access electronic resources for this course.

Latest Versions of Web Browsers

· Mozilla Firefox6 (Windows / MacOS) - Recommend

· Google Chrome7 (Windows/MacOS) - Recommended

· Safari8 (MacOS - Update through the App Store)

3 http://accounts.maine.edu/ 4 https://my.usm.maine.edu/ 5 https://courses.maine.edu/d2l/home/6667 6 http://mozilla.com/firefox 7 http://www.google.com/chrome/ 8 http://www.apple.com/safari/

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Note that Brightspace and many other web-based applications used in USM courses do not work well in

Microsoft’s web browser, Edge.

Brightspace Technical Requirements

D2L recommends having the latest version of whatever browser is being used on any computer or

mobile device. Brightspace works very well on mobile Apple and Android devices via web browser. The

Brightspace Pulse app in the Apple App Store and Google Play also allows you to receive notifications

regarding your courses on your device.

Netiquette

Please keep the following “Zoom etiquette” tips in mind during class meetings:

Always use your proper name on Zoom to allow for easy identification

Please keep your microphone muted unless you are speaking

One speaker at a time; please use chat function to request opportunity to speak

Depending on bandwidth, you may be asked to turn off your camera at times. Please be sure your

camera is on anytime you are speaking to improve communication access.

Our text-based communication is vital in this course since it is the primary - and possibly only - way we

will connect with each other. Please be careful and considerate in all your communications with each

other and your instructor. The online medium is poor at conveying tone. Consider what you are saying

and remember that your intent might not be inferred by your readers (fellow students and instructors).

Take a moment to re-read everything you write: assume that it will be taken in the worst possible light.

And extend courtesy to others: assume the most charitable light possible. Both of these steps will make

communication easier and far more civil.

Student Data Retention

Your maine.edu account is issued to you for as long as you are a student of this or any other University

of Maine System campus. There are various limits on how long IT can retain data you have stored

through this account depending on which services you have used. Below are the major points, but we

encourage you to visit the UMS User Account Management website9 for full details on maine.edu

account policies.

9 http://accounts.maine.edu/

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Assignments and other work stored in Brightspace

Do NOT treat important academic work in old Brightspace courses as your sole copy. Each semester, all

courses receive a fresh Brightspace page commonly referred to as a “shell.” Course shells older than

two years are automatically purged from the system, but sometimes instructors remove old course

shells manually on their own. It is strongly recommended that you make backups of any work you have

submitted to Brightspace before or shortly after your course ends. Especially if your program requires

you to maintain a portfolio of work you have done.

Google Products

Your maine.edu account is also a fully functional Google Account with access to Gmail, Google Drive,

and most of Google’s other products. After leaving the university, either through graduation or simply

not registering for courses, credit-earning students have 5 years before their maine.edu account is

removed. The limit is 2 years for non-credit students. This includes files and email stored in Google’s

products using your maine.edu account. If this data is important to you, or if you need to retain it for a

portfolio or future certification, you must make and maintain your own personal backups of these files.

Consider using Google Takeout10 to backup this data prior to separating from the University.

Box & Others

If you are using Box through your maine.edu account, please be aware that your storage can only be

maintained for one year after you have graduated, or otherwise separated from the university.

University Policies & Support Resources

ADA & Electronic Accessibility Notification & Accommodations

The university is committed to providing students with documented disabilities equal access to all

university programs and services. If you think you have a disability and would like to request

accommodations, you must register with the Disability Services Center. Timely notification is essential.

The Disability Services Center can be reached by calling (207) 780-4706 or by email at dsc-

usm@maine.edu. If you have already received a faculty accommodation letter from the Disability

Services Center, please provide me with that information as soon as possible. Please make a private

10 https://takeout.google.com

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appointment so that we can review your accommodations.

The following is a list of accessibility resources for the software we use in this course:

● Brightspace Accessibility information11

● Google Suite Accessibility information12

Learning Commons

Tutoring at USM is for all students, not just those who are struggling. Tutoring provides active feedback

and practice, and is available for writing, math, and many more subjects. Walk-in tutoring is available at

the Glickman Library in Portland, the Gorham Library, and the LAC Writing Center.

● For best service, we recommend making an appointment at the Learning Commons scheduling

website.13

● Questions about tutoring should be directed to Naamah Jarnot at (207) 780-4554.

● Interested in becoming a more effective, efficient learner? Check out the AGILE website!14

Counseling

Counseling is available for USM students. The best way to schedule an appointment is by phone at (207)

780-5411. More information is available on the University Health and Counseling Services website15.

Recovery Oriented Campus Center (ROCC)

A peer support community for students in recovery from substance abuse and other mental health

conditions is available at USM. More information may be found online at the Recovery Oriented

Campus Center website16 or by containing ROCC at (207) 228-8141.

11 https://www.d2l.com/accessibility/standards 12 https://support.google.com/a/answer/1631886?hl=en 13 https://usm.maine.edu/learningcommons/schedule-tutoring-appointment 14 https://usm.maine.edu/agile 15 https://usm.maine.edu/uhcs 16 https://usm.maine.edu/recovery

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Non-Discrimination Policy & Bias Reporting

The University of Southern Maine is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of

race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin,

citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and

all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries

regarding non-discrimination policies:

Amie Parker, Interim Director of Equal Opportunity

The Farmhouse, University of Maine Augusta

Augusta, ME 04333,

(207) 581-1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Incidents of discrimination or bias at USM should be reported to Associate Vice President for Student

Affairs David Roussel at (207) 780-5242.

Statement of Religious Observance for Students

Absence for Religious Holy Days

The University of Southern Maine respects the religious beliefs of all members of the community,

affirms their rights to observe significant religious holy days, and will make reasonable

accommodations, upon request, for such observances. If a student’s religious observance is in conflict

with the academic experience, they should inform their instructor(s) of the class or other school

functions that will be affected. It is the student’s responsibility to make the necessary arrangements

mutually agreed upon with the instructor(s).

Title IX Statement

The University of Southern Maine is committed to making our campuses safer places for students.

Because of this commitment, and our federal obligations, faculty and other employees are considered

mandated reporters when it comes to experiences of interpersonal violence (sexual assault, sexual

harassment, dating or domestic violence, and stalking). Disclosures of interpersonal violence must be

passed along to the University’s Deputy Title IX Coordinator who can help provide support and

academic remedies for students who have been impacted. More information can be found at the

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Campus Safety website17 or by contacting Sarah E. Holmes at sarah.e.holmes1@maine.edu or (207) 780-

5767.

If students want to speak with someone confidentially, the following resources are available on and off

campus:

● University Counseling Services: (207) 780-4050

● 24 Hour Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-871-7741

● 24 Hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-866-834-4357

Policy On Acceptable Conduct In Class Settings

If a student substantially disrupts a class, the professor may ask the student to align with this policy on

conduct in a class setting. If the student refuses, the professor may, at their discretion, ask the student

to leave. If the professor takes this step, they must attempt to communicate with the student and

provide informal counsel and advice. The professor may elect to notify their dean of the situation as

well. If the student disrupts the class again, the professor may, at their discretion, provide a written

notification to the student, describe the offending behavior, and refer the student’s case to the

appropriate academic dean and notify the dean of students that an official student conduct code

violation has occurred. The Student Conduct Process is detailed on the Community Standards and

Mediation website18.

Covid Face Covering Requirement

Per USM and the University of Maine System, all students, faculty, and staff members are required to

wear a face covering, including during all face-to-face classes. Resident students are exempted from

this requirement when in their own room in the residence hall. Students seeking additional exceptions

from this requirement should refer to the Disability Accommodations section of this syllabus. Full

information on Covid restrictions and guidelines can be found on the University of Maine System

website19.

17 https://usm.maine.edu/campus-safety-project 18 https://usm.maine.edu/community-standards-mediation/conduct-process19 https://www.maine.edu/together/community-guidance/everyone/

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