National Diploma in Hearing Therapy (Level 5)

Note: Careerforce is not aware of any education providers currently delivering this qualification

The National Diploma in Hearing Therapy is designed for people who wish to work in the field of adult aural rehabilitation.

Hearing Therapists work in a range of community and clinical settings.  Usually people entering this field will have a tertiary qualification and experience in the health, education and or social services sectors.  Alternatively people will need to demonstrate maturity and a good level of general education, and may have relevant experience and recognised skills in working with the elderly, people with hearing impairment, or people with other disabilities.

People awarded this qualification will be able to demonstrate an ability to integrate adult aural rehabilitation theory with practice.  They will demonstrate particular understanding of the causes, effects, and medical management of hearing impairment; the application of technology to assist those with hearing impairment; the causes, effects, and management of tinnitus; knowledge of hearing conservation; knowledge of speech production and speech perception in relation to hearing therapy; the impact of hearing loss on a person’s life; and hearing loss issues related to ageing.

They will demonstrate skill in developing, implementing, and evaluating rehabilitation plans for adults with hearing loss following assessment of the loss and of the person’s communication needs.  They will be able to engage in personal adjustment and informational counselling with an adult with a hearing impairment, and will be able to train them and their associated others in communication strategies.