Profession audiologist
Audiologists assess, diagnose and treat patients ( children or adults) with audiological and vestibular disorders caused by infectious, genetic, traumatic or degenerative conditions, such as hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, imbalance, hyperacusis and auditory processing difficulties. They can prescribe a hearing aid and have a role in assessing and managing patients who may benefit from cochlear implants. Â
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Knowledge
- Balance disorders
The causes that affect balance in humans, abnormalities and their symptoms such as vertigo, dizziness and disorientation.
- Neurophysiology
The medical specialty which is concerned with the study of the nervous system functionalities.
- Human ear
The structure, functions and characteristics of the outer middle and inner ear, through which sounds are transferred from the environment to the brain.
- Audiometry
The way hearing acuity is measured, specifically related to sound intensity and pitch and tonal purity in order to diagnose hearing impairment and related disorders.
- Health care legislation
The patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.
- Communication related to hearing impairment
The phonologic, morphologic and syntactic aspects and characteristics of human communication for individuals affected by hearing impairment.
- Hygiene in a health care setting
The procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment used and infection control methods.
- Audiology
The science related to the hearing, balance and other related disorders and conditions specific to adults or children.
- Psychoacoustics
The characteristics of sound perception from music or speech and their psychological effects on the individual`s hearing.
- Physiology of balance
The characteristics and functions of the vestibular system, which is the responsible for body equilibrium.
- Physiology of hearing
The means by which sounds are transmitted through the outer, middle, inner ear and brain.
- Health care system
The structure and function of health care services.
- Human anatomy
The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.
- Pathology
The components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.
- Hearing loss
The manifestation, causes and symptoms of hearing impairment, which is the partial or total inability to hear.
- Acoustics
The study of sound, its reflection, amplification and absorption in a space.
- Human physiology
The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.
- Hearing aids
The types, characteristics and suppliers of hearing devices which amplify sound for the individual who is wearing it, with the aim of making speech more intelligible, and to correct impaired hearing.
Skills
- Empathise with the healthcare user
Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.
- Clean patients' ear canals
Clean patients` ear canals, avoiding damage to normal eardrum function.
- Ensure safety of healthcare users
Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
- Communicate effectively in healthcare
Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.
- Comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice
Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.
- Instruct on the use of hearing aids
Instruct patients on how to use and maintain the prescribed hearing aids.
- Respond to changing situations in health care
Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.
- Advise on healthcare users' informed consent
Ensure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.
- Follow clinical guidelines
Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.
- Provide health education
Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.
- Use e-health and mobile health technologies
Use mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.
- Listen actively
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.
- Counsel patients on improving hearing
Counsel and instruct patients with hearing problems to help them improve their communication, guiding them to solutions like sign language or lip-reading.
- Manage healthcare users' data
Keep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, written and electronic) are treated confidentially.
- Comply with legislation related to health care
Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.
- Promote inclusion
Promote inclusion in health care and social services and respect diversity of beliefs, culture, values and preferences, keeping in mind the importance of equality and diversity issues.
- Adapt hearing tests
Adapt hearing tests to suit the age and ability of the patient.
- Deal with emergency care situations
Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment. Â
- Evaluate the psychological impact of hearing problems
Evaluate how hearing problems affect patients psychologically in their educational, professional or social environment.
- Diagnose hearing impairement
Measure hearing loss and balance disorders and determine their cause.
- Accept own accountability
Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.
- Provide treatment strategies for challenges to human health
Identify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.
- Undertake clinical audit
Undertake internal clinical audit through the collection of statistical, financial and other data related to service delivery.
- Interact with healthcare users
Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.
- Produce impressions for ear moulds
Produce an impression of the ear for an ear mould, also adjusting the mould accordingly.
- Refer healthcare users
Make referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.
- Develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship
Develop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.
- Work in multidisciplinary health teams
Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
- Adjust cochlear implants
Fit and tune cochlear implants providing rehabilitation to listening with implant amplification systems.
- Contribute to continuity of health care
Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.
- Educate on the prevention of illness
Offer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and health conditions. Provide advice on the identification of risks leading to ill health and help to increase the patients' resilience by targeting prevention and early intervention strategies.
- Apply health sciences
Apply a broad range of bio-medical, psycho-social, organisational, educational, and societal aspects of health, disease, and healthcare to improve healthcare services and to improve quality of life.
- Apply organisational techniques
Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the goals set. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.
- Adhere to organisational guidelines
Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.
- Inform policy makers on health-related challenges
Provide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.
- Conduct health related research
Conduct research in health related topics and communicate findings orally, through public presentations or by writing reports and other publications.
- Monitor patients' progress related to treatment
Observe and report on healthcare users' response to medical treatment, monitoring their progress or decay on a daily basis and modifying the treatment procedures whenever necessary.
- Apply context specific clinical competences
Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of practice.
- Use special hearing equipment for tests
Use audiometers and computers to determine the degree of a patient`s hearing disorder and find other factors relating to the problem.
- Work in a multicultural environment in health care
Interact, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.
- Adjust hearing aids
Program hearing aids using a computer, fitting and dispensing hearing aids, or administering cochlear implants, electronic devices used to improve a person`s hearing.
Optional knowledge and skills
employ foreign languages for health-related research supervise audiology team conduct research on hearing topics human psychological development geriatrics counselling methods employ foreign languages in care paediatrics pedagogy ensure proper appointment administration speech techniques disability typesSource: Sisyphus ODB