Audiology

These inherent requirements apply to the following course: Master of Clinical Audiology.

Prospective and current students who are concerned about their capacities in relation to inherent requirements are strongly encouraged contact the CDU Access and Inclusion team to discuss possible adjustments or alternative courses. 

E: inclusion@cdu.edu.au

These inherent requirements should be read in conjunction with other course information and related material such as Audiology Australia’s Code of Conduct.

There are four domains of inherent requirements for the Master of Clinical Audiology.

Each domain has five levels:

1. Introduction
2. Description
3. Justification
4. Adjustments
5. Exemplars

The maintenance of conduct that is acceptable and appropriate, according to the recognised norms of society over a given period.

1. Introduction
   Behavioural stability is required to function and adapt effectively and sensitively in a demanding role. 
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Students must be able to manage their own responses and behavior to work effectively in a range of learning environments with diverse people and tasks. This includes the capacity to be receptive and respond appropriately to constructive feedback. Students should also be able to work with others in a team or group environment and make and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals to complete tasks or for professional practice. 
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Students must be able to act in accordance with professional regulatory requirements and standards which dictates the scope of clinical Audiology practice. 
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must support stable, effective, and professional behaviour in both academic and practice settings. 
5. Exemplars:
   • Being receptive and responding appropriately to constructive feedback 
   • Seeking support to cope effectively with own emotions and behaviour when working with individuals and other stakeholders in academic and service settings. 

The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through one's thoughts, experience, and senses.

Knowledge and cognitive skills: Acquired skills that reflect an individual's ability to think. Cognitive skills include verbal and spatial abilities, concentration, memory, perception, reasoning, planning and organisation, flexible thinking, and problem solving.

1. Introduction
   This course requires knowledge of theory and the skills of cognition, literacy, and numeracy. Consistent and effective knowledge and cognitive skills must be demonstrated to provide safe and competent audiological clinical care.
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Students must be able to locate, acquire, retain, and apply knowledge as part of their learning and for assessment. They must have the ability to sustain their attention over a designated period, maintain their focus in a variety of learning environments and remember information long enough to complete tasks in a reasonable and safe timeframe. Student demonstrates the capacity to use a range of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to complete academic assessment requirements. 
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Safe and effective delivery of clinical audiological management is based on comprehensive knowledge that must be sourced, understood, and applied appropriately. Students must be able to demonstrate capacity to locate appropriate and relevant information, the ability to process information relevant to practice, and the ability to integrate and implement knowledge into practice in a timely manner.
4. Adjustments
   Must ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded. 
5. Exemplars:
   • Ability to conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items
   • Applying knowledge of theory, research evidence, policy, and procedures in practice settings. 

The way a person recognises external stimuli - through sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch.

1. Introduction
   This course requires adequate visual, auditory, and tactile abilities.  
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Students should possess the ability to interact with visual, auditory, or tactile inputs sufficiently to manage their learning environment and to meet professional performance needs.
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Auditory and visual assessments of patients is fundamental to safe and effective clinical audiological practice. Students must demonstrate enough visual and aural function to undertake required range of skills, tasks, and assessments to maintain consistent, accurate and safe care to self and others.
4. Adjustments
   Must address the need to perform the full range of tasks involved in the practice setting. Strategies and adjustments to address the effects of vision and/or auditory impairment must be effective, consistent, and not compromise patient safety or treatment. 
5. Exemplars:
   • Safely operating diagnostic and rehabilitation equipment
   • Being able to be responsive to patient’s needs.

Fine motor skills: The ability to undertake precise coordinated movements of the hands for activities such as writing and manipulating small objects.

1. Introduction
   Audiology is a profession that requires manual dexterity and fine motor skills. 
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Students should possess the manual dexterity and fine motor skills sufficient to manage their learning environment and ultimately professional performance needs.
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Audiology students are required to undertake tasks that involve being able to grasp, press, push, turn, squeeze and manipulate various objects. Students must be able to demonstrate and perform these tasks consistently and safely to reduce the risk of harm to self and others.
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments should facilitate functional effectiveness and safety to self and others.
5. Exemplars:
   • Safely operating diagnostic and rehabilitation equipment.