National Diploma Hearing Therapy

The National Diploma in Hearing Therapy is a two year, part time, work based training programme first registered in 2003 with New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
The qualification consists of sixteen unit standards that:
- reflect current adult aural rehabilitation hearing therapy practice in New Zealand
- describe what people have to do and how well they have to do it to be awarded the unit
LIFE Unlimited (LU) is an Associate of a private training provider, Framework Solutions Ltd (FSL) and provides the Diploma in Hearing Therapy training in accordance with FSL's quality management system.
The training programme is audited annually by FSL, who in turn are audited by NZQA to ensure compliance with NZQA requirements.

Accessing the Diploma Training Course

There are two ways to access LU HTS National Diploma in Hearing Therapy (Level 5) training programme:

LIFE Unlimited Hearing Therapy scholarships

A total of $7500.00 is offered to selected applicants to fill specific vacancies within LIFE Unlimited Hearing Therapy Services nationally
The scholarship covers the NZQA hook-on fee, travel to and from training venues, the 12 week initial training course including practicum placement, meals and accommodation, stationery and all other incidental costs
On completion of the initial 12 week training period, including practicum, trainees who have met all Diploma assessment requirements to date are offered a position in the area for which they have applied

Fee Paying

This option is available to people who wish to undertake hearing therapy training with LIFE Unlimited, but who are not applying to fill an advertised LIFE Unlimited hearing therapist vacancy

Fee paying trainees must be able to meet the following requirements:

A minimum of 20 hours per week employment within a workplace approved by the Diploma in Hearing Therapy training programme
Have their own adult clients for aural rehabilitation service provision within their workplace for a minimum of 10 hours per week
Payment of training fees and related training costs incurred during the training period

Training Course Entry Requirements

Evidence of a relevant tertiary qualification and relevant experience in the human services field, education, or health-related professions

Or
Evidence of a good level of education, relevant experience and recognised skills in working with the elderly, or with people with hearing impairment, or with people with other disabilities.

And
An approved clinical workplace situation (minimum of 20 hours per week) in which to practice hearing therapy
Mentor/s providing support and opportunities for practical application of theoretical knowledge, during the 20 month on-job training period
Computer literate
Final selection for training will be by interview. This will be at the applicant's own cost if a fee paying trainee.

Locality for interview is normally Hamilton

Course Costs

The course fee for a fee paying trainee (option 2 as above) is $1962.74 + GST for each year of the two year training programme. The fee covers the initial 12 week training course, written and workplace assessments and tutorials.
The first year course fee is due for payment on formal acceptance of a place on the training programme (refer page 7 Policy refund). The second year course fee is due for payment on the anniversary of this date
A trainee's travel, accommodation, food/meals, stationery and personal costs are not covered by the course fee
The following costs must be met by all trainees, including those wishing to fill advertised LIFE Unlimited vacancies:
- Travel to and from all training venues, field work visits and practicum placement
- Accommodation during training and placement
- Meals / food during training and placement
- Stationery materials
- Access to computer / internet
- All other incidental costs

Traniee Fee Policy

LIFE Unlimited Hearing Therapy Services complies with FSL Student Fee Policy

The Public Trust receives and administers all student (trainee) fees on behalf of the student. All monies are held in a Trust Account approved by NZQA and are paid in the first instance to Framework Solutions Ltd and then to the Framework Solutions Ltd Associate on a "drip feed" basis (in arrears) over the length of the course. All funds held by Public Trust are guaranteed by the NZ Government - this means the student is fully protected at all times.

Withdrawal from course by student - refund of fees policy

Refunds of fees will be in accordance with the requirements of the Education Act 1989 Section 236 (A). Refunds may be provided to students who withdraw from the course within seven (7) calendar days from their acceptance of enrolment date. (The acceptance of enrolment date is the day on which the course is offered to the student and they formally accept the offer by completing and signing the enrolment form).

If a student withdraws within seven (7) calendar days from their acceptance of enrolment date or before the commencement of the training course, the student is entitled to a refund of the fees paid, less an administration fee limited to 10% of the fees paid or $500, whichever is the lesser. If a student withdraws on or after the eighth (8th) day, then no refund is due to the student.

Refunds for students who withdraw outside this timeframe will be dealt with on a case by case basis and the decision is up to the discretion of LU HTS.

Course cancellation - refund of fees

If the course is cancelled by Framework Solutions Ltd for any reason then the student is entitled to a fee refund calculated according to the following formula:
Total course fee
Less administration costs equal to the lesser of 10% of the fee paid or $500
Less the replacement cost or repair costs of any equipment or software damaged or not returned by the student
Less the greater of Either The percentage of the balance remaining calculated by the following formula: Unit standard credits completed divided by the minimum number of credits required to complete course Or The percentage of the balance remaining calculated by the following formula: Number of weeks elapsed since the course commenced divided by the length of the course measured in weeks.

Abandonment of course by student
If a student does not formally withdraw but is deemed to have abandoned the course by not meeting the training provider's attendance requirements without seeking leave of absence, or by not meeting ongoing assignment/assessment requirements, then no refund is due to the student and all fees are forfeited to Framework Solutions Ltd. Framework Solutions Ltd will contact relevant external agencies to inform them that the student enrolment is terminated and the student record will be deemed incomplete through having failed to attempt all specified academic requirements within the period of enrolment.

Hearing Therapy Diploma Training Programme

General Aim

To provide trainees with the knowledge necessary to work in the field of adult aural rehabilitation in a learning environment that is supportive and encouraging.

The training provided is predominantly competency-based, requiring demonstration of understanding and application of knowledge gained. On successful completion of any of the unit standards, the credits will be registered with NZQA and you will be credited with those unit standards towards accreditation in the National Diploma in Hearing Therapy.

2009 Schedule:

Block 1:

Three weeks -

trainee home-based

20th July - 7th Aug 2009

Includes two week focus on pre-reading / self learning assignments / reflective journal and one week observation of an experienced hearing therapist in their workplace

Block 2:

Four weeks -

Auckland training facility

10th Aug - 4th Sept 2009

Face to face intensive training (attendance at Auckland training facility)

Block 3:

Two weeks -

trainee home based

7th Sept - 18th Sept 2009

Focus on reading / self learning assignments

Block 4:

Three weeks -

Auckland training facility

21st Sept - 9th Oct 2009

Includes one week intensive training and two weeks clinical practicum
On being assessed as competent during/following the clinical practicum:

scholarship trainees will be offered by LU HTS a position in the area for which they have applied
fee paying trainees will commence their employment as a trainee hearing therapist at their approved work place

Block 5:

20 month on - job -

clinic-based (place of work)

commencing 19th Oct 2009

Block 6:

four days -

usually Auckland approx

June 2010

Expected completion date of training:

18th July 2011

Note:

Workshops which are not Standards-based, but which are relevant to the New Zealand work environment, e.g. cultural issues, relevant legislation, are included in the training programme
Most training days are from 8.45am - 4.00pm
Homework assignments and self-directed learning assignments are required throughout the training

Assessment and Moderation

Assessment against unit standard requirements is carried out throughout the two year training course
Every opportunity will be given to the trainee to meet the assessment requirements
All assessment activities are moderated for fairness, validity and consistency
Each trainee will be allowed a maximum of two re-submissions for each of the unit standards within a given timeframe
Failure to meet the assessment requirements within the allocated time frame for each of the unit standards will put the trainee's continued placement on the course in jeopardy

Programme Expectations

Trainees are required to:

Attend all sessions and scheduled tutorials, unless approved otherwise
Submit homework and assignments by the due date
Reference all work
Meet all the unit standard assessment requirements
Take responsibility for their own learning and professional development
Commit to the self-study hours required for each of the unit standards
Advise the course Training Co-ordinators of any special needs in relation to disability, culture, faith
Refer to themselves as Trainee Hearing Therapist until they achieve the national Diploma in Hearing Therapy
Seek support from Training Co-ordinators if having difficulties

National Diploma in Hearing Therapy Unit Standards

Sub-field: Community Support
All the unit standards below are compulsory

Level 4

18604 - 4 credits
Demonstrate knowledge of hearing conservation. People credited with this unit standard are able to: explain the effects of noise on hearing; explain methods of hearing protection; and explain the components of a workplace hearing conservation programme.

19308 - 5 credits
Engage in personal adjustment and informational counselling with an adult with hearing impairment. People credited with this unit standard are able to: establish the environment for an informational counselling session with an adult with a hearing impairment; assist the adult with a hearing impairment to identify their own communication needs and psycho-social issues and to prioritise goals in relation to these; and manage the closure of an informational counselling session with an adult with a hearing impairment.

23364 - 3 credits
Interpret supplied diagnostic audiograms and tympanograms. People credited with this unit standard are able to interpret supplied diagnostic audiograms and tympanograms.

Level 5

23363 - 8 credits
Demonstrate knowledge of the causes, effects, and the medical management of hearing impairment. People credited with this unit standard are able to: explain the anatomy and physiology of the ear; explain the types and causes of hearing loss; describe the psychological and psycho-social effects of hearing impairment; and demonstrate knowledge of the medical management of hearing loss.

18599 - 6 credits
Demonstrate the function and application of hearing instruments and hearing aids. People credited with this unit standard are able to: explain and match hearing aid, earmoulds, and tubing to the assessed needs of an adult with a hearing impairment; explain the function, and demonstrate the application and maintenance of hearing aids; and explain the function, and demonstrate the application and maintenance of a cochlear implant.

18600 - 5 credits
Demonstrate the function and application of assistive devices for an adult with a hearing impairment. People credited with this unit standard are able to explain the application of assistive devices; and explain the function, and demonstrate the application and maintenance of assistive devices for an adult with a hearing impairment.

18603 - 7 credits
Analyse the causes, effects, and management of tinnitus. People credited with this unit standard are able to: outline the causes of tinnitus; analyse the effects of tinnitus; and analyse strategies for the management of tinnitus.

18605 - 6 credits
Assess the needs of an adult with a hearing impairment and identify support services. People credited with this unit standard are able to: use assessment tools to determine the communication needs of an adult with a hearing impairment; use assessment tools to identify the psycho-social needs of an adult with a hearing impairment; identify the technological assistance available to the adult with a hearing impairment in relation to their communication needs and psycho-social needs; identify professional support for the adult with a hearing impairment for their identified communication and psycho-social needs; and identify social, recreational, financial and vocational support services for the adult with a hearing impairment.

18606 - 8 credits
Carry out a hearing evaluation with an adult. People credited with this unit standard are able to: obtain a case history of an adult referred for a hearing test; use an otoscope to examine the ear canal and tympanic membrane; administer pure-tone screening audiometry; interpret the results of the screening test; and determine a relevant referral procedure.

18608 - 18 credits
Demonstrate an integration of hearing therapy theory with practice at an intermediate level. People credited with this unit standard are able to identify case studies and develop hearing therapy rehabilitation plans, and demonstrate integration of hearing therapy theory and practice with the use of case studies.

18611 - 5 credits
Explain and analyse speech production and speech perception in relation to hearing therapy. People credited with this unit standard are able to: explain speech production; analyse the impact of hearing loss on speech production; explain speech perception; and analyse the impact of hearing loss on speech perception.

18612 - 6 credits
Explain and analyse the issues relating to hearing impairment in the older person. People credited with this unit standard are able to analyse how physiological changes impact on an older person's ability to manage their hearing impairment; and explain the support needs of an older person with a hearing impairment.

Level 6

18601 - 10 credits
Train adults with hearing impairment to maximise visual and auditory cue. People credited with this unit standard are able to: develop speechreading and auditory training programmes; deliver a speechreading training programme; deliver an auditory training programme; and evaluate a speechreading and auditory training programme.

18602 - 8 credits
Teach an adult with a hearing impairment and associated others to use communication strategies. People credited with this unit standard are able to: teach an adult with a hearing impairment, and associated others to manage their listening environment; and teach an adult with a hearing impairment, and associated others, to manage their listening environment while communicating on the telephone.

18607 - 8 credits
Develop, implement and evaluate a rehabilitation plan for an adult with a hearing impairment. People credited with this unit standard are able to: develop a rehabilitation plan with an adult with a hearing impairment, and their family/whanau/caregiver(s) where appropriate; deliver a rehabilitation plan for an adult with a hearing impairment in consultation with the adult and their family/whanau/caregiver(s) where appropriate; and evaluate a rehabilitation plan with an adult with a hearing impairment and their family/whanau/caregiver(s) where appropriate.

18609 - 14 credits
Demonstrate an integration of hearing therapy theory with practice at an advanced level. People credited with this unit standard are able to identify case studies and develop hearing therapy rehabilitation plans, and demonstrate integration of hearing therapy theory and practice with the use of case studies.