Overview

Exit Award only

Upon successful completion of Part I of the MSc (Hearing, Balance and Communication) programme, students may opt not to proceed to Part II and instead to exit the programme with a Postgraduate Diploma in Hearing, Balance and Communication (NFQ Level 9, Major award).

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Students must pass 60 credits of modules in Part I to be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Hearing, Balance and Communication (NFQ Level 9, Major award).

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Part I
Students take 60 credits as follows - all listed core modules (40 credits) and 20 credits of elective modules:
Core Modules
CT6100	Balance: Assessment and Management in Adults	10
CT6101	Tinnitus and Hyperacusis: Assessment, Etiology and Management	10
CT6200	Therapeutic Skills: Communication and Hearing in Paediatrics and Adults	10
MH6014	Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals	10
Elective Modules
Students take modules to the value of 20 credits from the following:		20
CT6102	Newborn Hearing Screening:Objective Assessment of Paediatric Hearing in Neonates (5)
CT6103	Advanced Practices in Paediatric Hearing Assessment and Habilitation (5)
CT6104	Advanced Diagnostics of Otological and Neuro-otological Pathologies in Adults (5)
CT6105	Hearing, Balance and Communication: Impact on Quality of Life in Older Adults (5)
CT6106	Cochlear Implants, Implantable Hearing Devices, and Impact on Communication (5)
CT6107	Psychological Management of Tinnitus: Principles of CBT and Mindfulness (5)
CT6108	Advanced Adult Assessment and Rehabilitation (5)
CT6109	Independent Study (5)
Total Credits		60

¹

Restricted to students with recognised prior clinical experience in diagnostic audiology.

Notes: 

• In consultation with the Programme Director, one 5-credit module may be taken from other programmes at UCC, in related disciplines, for a total of 5 of the 90 required credits. Such electives will be approved on a case-by-case basis and are dependent on the permission of the relevant Department and Module Co-ordinator, timetabling and workload considerations.

Examinations

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Hearing, Balance and Communication (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Critically evaluate the evidence with regard to the effects of hearing loss on the quality of life of the paediatric, adult and elderly population;
  
• Integrate and analyse the evidence with regard to the effects of balance problems on the quality of life of the adult and elderly population;
  
• Demonstrate an understanding of different diagnostic pathways in order to investigate causes of hearing loss and balance disorders;
  
• Critically evaluate the evidence base obtained from research within specific disciplines working with populations who are hearing impaired, and who have hearing-related communication difficulties;
  
• Critically analyse the evidence base obtained from research within specific disciplines working with balance pathologies in the adult and elderly populations;
  
• Reflect on the different perspectives with regard to the effect of hearing loss on communication and habilitation in the paediatric, adult and elderly population with specific reference to patient-centred approaches;
  
• Reconceptualise theoretical knowledge in terms of its practical applications.