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Demonstrate knowledge of the causes, effects, and the medical
management of hearing impairment
Level
5
Credits
8
Purpose
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.
Subfield
Community Support
Domain
Hearing Therapy
Status
Registered
Status date
20 May 2008
Date version published
20 May 2008
Planned review date
31 December 2013
Entry information
Open.
Replacement information
This unit standard replaced unit standard 18598.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA, industry
and teaching professional in the same field from another
provider.
Standard setting body (SSB)
Community Support Services Industry Training
Organisation Limited
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0024
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Special notes
Definitions
Current best practice is documented in the University of Auckland, School of Medicine
Master of Audiometry Programme pure-tone audiometry clinical protocols. These are
available from Careerforce, PO Box 25-255, Christchurch.
Organisation’s policies and procedures are the policies and procedures of the employing
organisation of the employee and include ethical codes, standards, and requirements of
any other organisations involved.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
23363 version 1
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Examples of relevant codes of ethics are those adopted by the New Zealand Audiological
Society, the Hearing Therapists Association of New Zealand, Academy of New Zealand
Audiometrists Association, and the Ear Nurse Specialist Group Aotearoa New Zealand.
These are available from the organisation concerned.
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Explain the anatomy and physiology of the ear.
Range
pinna, external auditory meatus, tympanic membrane, mastoid bone, stapes,
malleus, incus, eustachian tube, middle ear cavity, round window, oval window,
cochlea, basilar membrane, endolymph, perilymph, scala vestibuli, scala
tympani, organ of corti, tectorial membrane, cochlear duct, inner hair cells, outer
hair cells, auditory nerve, cochlear nucleus, brain stem, auditory cortex, semicircular canals.
Performance criteria
1.1
The anatomy and physiology of the ear are explained in terms of the function of
the parts of the ear.
1.2
The anatomy and physiology of the ear are explained in terms of the linkage of
the parts of the ear to the hearing process.
Element 2
Explain the types and causes of hearing loss.
Performance criteria
2.1
The auditory system is explained in terms of where in the system hearing loss
occurs.
Range
2.2
Possible causes of hearing loss are explained.
Range
2.3
conductive, sensori-neural, mixed, central.
two congenital, two acquired.
The degrees of hearing loss are explained.
Range
slight, mild, moderate, severe, profound.
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Element 3
Describe the psychological and psycho-social effects of hearing impairment.
Performance criteria
3.1
Psychological effects are identified and described in terms of the impact on an
adult with a hearing impairment.
Range
3.2
may include but is not limited to – anxiety, depression, anger,
denial, frustration, defensiveness, aggression, isolation, paranoia,
emotional wellbeing, dependency;
evidence of a minimum of four impacts is required.
Psycho-social effects are identified and described in terms of the impact on an
adult with a hearing impairment.
Range
may include but is not limited to – socio-economic, vocational,
educational, social, recreational;
evidence of a minimum of three impacts is required.
Element 4
Demonstrate knowledge of the medical management of hearing loss.
Performance criteria
4.1
Health professionals involved in the management of hearing loss are identified
and their roles explained in accordance with the relevant New Zealand
professional association or code of ethics.
Range
4.2
may include but is not limited to – general practitioner,
otorhinolaryngologist, audiologist, hearing therapist, ear nurse
specialist, rehabilitationist, audiometrist;
evidence of knowledge about a minimum of four professionals is
required.
Medical interventions in the management of hearing loss are explained in
accordance with current best practice.
Range
may include but is not limited to – stapedectomy, mastoidectomy,
cochlear implant, bone anchored hearing aid, auditory brain stem
implant, myringoplasty, ossiculoplasty;
evidence of a minimum of three interventions is required.
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4.3
Referral pathways for medical conditions that may require some management
of hearing loss are described in accordance with the organisation’s policies and
procedures.
Range
may include but is not limited to – acoustic neuroma, diabetes,
‘aural fullness’, high blood pressure, vertigo, Menière's Disease,
hyperacusis, cholesteotoma, tympanic perforations;
evidence of a minimum of four conditions is required.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated
authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against
unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register
credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Community Support Services Industry Training Organisation Limited
enquiries@cssito.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit
standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016