Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for, conduct and interpret the results of hearing assessments in adults. It includes the ability to establish a positive client relationship, develop realistic goals with the client and to recognise situations where referral to other health professionals is required.
This unit applies to any person who assesses hearing. This may include audiometrists, allied health assistants who support audiologists in health care organisations, nurses and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers. Work is conducted according to AS/NZ 1269.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare for hearing assessments | 1.1 Ensure information, including required forms, is accessible and ready for use 1.2 Achieve required ambient noise levels in preparation of testing environment 1.3 Prepare, calibrate and check equipment and instruments 1.4 Ensure personal protective equipment is available and used |
2. Establish a positive relationship with the client | 2.1 Take client case history and explain practice/hearing service administrative procedures 2.2 Determine client’s expectations through questioning and active listening 2.3 Gain consent from clients where applicable 2.4 Give client the opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns 2.5 Identify and respond to special needs of client 2.6 Maintain confidentiality of client information |
3. Conduct otoscopy | 3.1 Follow personal hygiene and infection control procedures 3.2 Conduct otoscopy in a non-threatening manner and produce valid, reliable and accurate results in accordance with relevant policy and procedures 3.3 Identify and respond to any abnormalities of the ear canal 3.4 Identify contra-indications for proceeding with further hearing assessments 3.5 Make referral |
4. Test hearing | 4.1 Explain procedure to client using language the client understands 4.2 Identify significant features of client history 4.3 Select and conduct appropriate hearing tests following procedures for correct use of equipment 4.4 Produce valid, reliable and accurate results in accordance with relevant policy and procedures 4.5 Identify unreliable results and complete re-test according to standard protocols 4.6 Use results to identify specific hearing loss and/or any abnormal functions 4.7 Record results in accordance with relevant policy and procedures 4.8 Clean and store equipment in accordance with manufacturers’ requirements and infection control procedures |
5. Interpret results | 5.1 Accurately interpret data from individual test results 5.2 Integrate and interpret interrelationships between test battery results to establish a comprehensive clinical picture 5.3 Validate results for consistency across the test battery |
6. Review assessment results with client | 6.1 Communicate results of assessments clearly and simply to the client 6.2 Determine and discuss options to support client 6.3 Negotiate and establish realistic goals for the client 6.4 Document and file results in accordance with relevant policies and procedures 6.5 Determine recommendations for further assessment or referral to an appropriate facility or hearing aid fitting |
7. Complete report | 7.1 Write report using language and format that suits target audience according to organisation standards 7.2 Include clear, concise and relevant information of tests performed 7.3 Include summary, recommendations and any further action required 7.4 Read and edit report for spelling and grammatical correctness |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
followed established procedures and protocols to independently conduct full hearing assessments for at least 20 different adult clients presenting with different hearing capacity, including males and females of diverse age, cultural and linguistic range, and seniors:
selected the hearing tests appropriate to client needs
accurately tested and recorded pure tone audiometry (AC/BC masking) speech audiometry (performance intensity (PI) function, speech reception threshold (SRT), masking) and impedance audiometry test results (tympanometry, ipsi and contralateral reflexes, reflex decay)
integrated and validated results across the test battery
determined type of hearing loss from test results
recognised and responded appropriately when a client is not giving true thresholds
communicated effectively with clients using a client centred approach
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
legal and ethical considerations (national and state/territory) for conduct of hearing assessments:
contractual obligations
duty of care
informed consent
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management
work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations:
boundaries of audiometrist role
generalist and specialist functions
relationship between audiometry and other health professionals
indicators for referral
Australian and international standards that apply to the conduct of a hearing assessment:
maximum ambient noise levels for assessments
equipment calibrations
standard infection control precautions
anatomy of the ear, including:
peripheral and central auditory system
potential physical abnormalities
hearing assessment battery elements:
taking case history
otoscopy
air
bone
speech discrimination (PI function)
SRT
masking (pure tone, speech)
tympanometry
ipsi/contralateral reflexes
reflex decay
causes and types of hearing loss
contraindications for hearing assessments
physical environment requirements for audiometric assessments – booths versus quiet rooms
equipment calibration both annual and biological
characteristics of hearing tests, including:
types
purpose of different tests
materials that can be used
suitability of tests for different clients
reliability/validity of particular tests
transducers (headphones, insert earphones, bone conductor, free field)
stimuli (pure tone, warble, pulsed, narrow band noise, broad band noises, speech)
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
equipment that meets requirements of AS/NZ 1269
documentation that meets notation standards
modelling of industry operating conditions, including:
integration of problem solving activities
time constraints for completion of testing
provision of services to general public
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance. |
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. |