About the Audiology programme
The e-Audiology project is a collaboration between the Department of Health’s National Audiology Programme and Health Education England elearning for healthcare.
The Department of Health launched the National Audiology Programme in 2007, working with local health systems to apply the health reform mechanisms of better commissioning and pathway redesign, choice and competition, information and incentives to the design and delivery of their audiology services. There is now a greater focus on sustainability and transfer of good practice.
e-Audiology supports the National Audiology Programme by providing a training resource that encourages continuing professional development, helping those who work within audiology services to provide essential care for their patients.
More information
The e-Audiology curriculum has three modules of elearning designed to support assistant and associate audiologists, audiologists, GPs, GP practice staff, other healthcare professionals and volunteers across the NHS.
Each module contains several elearning sessions, with each session taking approximately 20 minutes to complete. There are currently three modules, numbered 1, 3 and 4.
e-Audiology project curriculum
You can find out more about each element of the curriculum by selecting the modules below.
Module 1 - Pathway Support
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Topic 1
General SkillsTopic 1
General Skills
e-Audiology General Skills covers a number of audiology related professional topics required for practitioners in healthcare.
- The Work of the Audiology Department
- Professional Groups and their Professional Roles
- Team Working
- Health and Safety in Audiology
- Infection Control Issues
- Confidentiality, Equality and Diversity
- Consultation Skills
- Personal and Professional Development
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Topic 2
Anatomy and PhysiologyTopic 2
Anatomy and Physiology
e-Audiology Anatomy and Physiology covers essential knowledge of anatomy and physiology in audiology.
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Outer Ear
- Otoscopy Skills
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Middle Ear
- Anatomy of the Inner Ear
- Physiology of the Inner Ear
- Basic Nerve Conduction
- Anatomy of Neural Pathways
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Nose, Sinus and Throat
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Balance Organs
- Effects of Vision and Proprioception on Balance
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Topic 3
Acoustics and Psycho-acousticsTopic 3
Acoustics and Psycho-acoustics
e-Audiology Acoustics and Psycho-acoustics covers key scientific concepts used in audiology.
- Sound Waves
- The Decibel Scale
- Introduction to the Sound Level Meter
- Measurement of Sound
- Speech Production and Perception
- Perception of Sound
- Sound Localisation
- Tuning Forks (inc Tests)
- Recruitment
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Topic 4
Pure Tone AudiometryTopic 4
Pure Tone Audiometry
e-Audiology Pure Tone Audiometry covers the principles of testing hearing in adults.
- Introduction to the Audiometer
- The Audiogram Form
- Defining and Understanding Hearing Thresholds
- Calibration and Care of Equipment
- Test Environment
- Pre-test Assessment and Information
- AC and BC Audiometry
- The Need to Mask
- Recording and Reporting Audiometry Results
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Topic 5
Pathology, Symptoms and Management Options of Ear & Related conditionsTopic 5
Pathology, Symptoms and Management Options of Ear & Related conditions
e-Audiology Pathology, Symptoms and Management Options of Ear & Related Conditions covers a range of audiological disorders and their management.
- Pathology, Symptoms and Management of Conditions of the Pinnae
- Pathology, Symptoms and Management: Auditory Canal Conditions
- Pathology, Symptoms and Management of Cholesteatoma
- Recognising Outer Ear and Tympanic Membrane Conditions/Otoscopy
- Pathology and Symptoms: Eustachian Tube Dysfunction and Otitis Media
- Management of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction and Otitis Media
- Pathology, Symptoms and Management of Middle Ear Conditions
- Pathology, Symptoms and Management of Hearing Losses
- Ménière’s Disease – Cause and Presenting Symptoms
- Ménière’s Disease – Management Options
- BPPV and its management
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Topic 6
Hearing Loss, Communication and Hearing ConversationTopic 6
Hearing Loss, Communication and Hearing Conversation
e-Audiology Hearing Loss, Communication and Hearing Conservation covers the communication needs of audiology patients.
- Living with Hearing Loss
- Deaf Awareness
- Tinnitus
- Introduction to Sign Language
- Communication Tactics
- The Hearing Impaired Out-Patient – Ways to Improve the Experience
- Hearing Conservation and Noise Protection
- Assistive Technology in Audiology
- Realistic Expectations for Hearing Aid Performance
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Topic 7
Auditory InterventionTopic 7
Auditory Intervention
e-Audiology Auditory Intervention covers the underpinning knowledge required for managing hearing loss through the use of hearing aid technologies.
- Range of Hearing Aids
- Digital Hearing Aid Technology
- Hearing Aid Features
- The Ear Piece
- Impression Taking and Contraindications
- Hearing Aid Selection and Prescriptive Formulae
- Hearing Aids Fitting
- The Test Box
- Real Ear Measures
- Hearing Aid Maintenance and Repairs
- Implantable Devices
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Topic 8
Screening and Diagnostic InvestigationsTopic 8
Screening and Diagnostic Investigations
e-Audiology Screening and Diagnostic Investigations covers a range of audiological assessment tools used with adults and children.
- Diagnostic Audiograms and Uncomfortable Loudness Levels
- Tympanometry Equipment and Testing
- Understanding Tympanometry Results
- Otoacoustic Emissions
- Distraction Test
- Visual Reinforcement Audiometry
- Speech Discrimination Tests – Paediatric and Adult
- Co-operative and Performance Testing in the Under Fives
- Evoked Response Audiometry
- Screening for Hearing Loss in Childhood
- Adult Screening
- Balance Investigations – Excluding the Caloric Test
- The Caloric Test
- Other Advanced Diagnostic Tests
- Case Histories 1 – Effect of Results on Each Other
- Case Histories 2 – Effect of Vestibular Results on Each Other
- Vestibular Rehabilitation
Module 3 - Audiology in Primary Care
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Topic 1
Audiology in Primary CareTopic 1
Audiology in Primary Care
Audiology in Primary Care is for primary care professionals who are caring for people with common audiological problems (balance problems, ear wax, tinnitus and hearing impairment) with the aim to improve recognition of key symptoms, management and referral pathways.
- Methods of Wax Removal
- Hearing Difficulties in Primary Care
- Tinnitus in Primary Care
- Dizziness and Imbalance in Primary Care
Module 4 - Service Transformation
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Topic 1
Open Ear TechnologyTopic 1
Open Ear Technology
e-Audiology Open Ear Technology aims to raise the awareness of open canal fittings and associated practices.
- Open Ear Technology
- Verifying the Fitting
- Assessing the Outcomes of Hearing Rehabilitation
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Topic 4
Quality Enhancement ToolTopic 4
Quality Enhancement Tool
e-Audiology Quality Enhancement Tool (QET) explains how the QET system works, including the inputs that it will require, the knowledge management system (KMS) and how to use it, and the benefits audiology departments can expect from participating in the QET scheme.
- Quality Enhancement Tool Basics and Benefits
- Quality Enhancement Tool Completing a Census and Viewing Results
Sample sessions
Approximately 50 hours of online training is currently available. All e-Audiology sessions have been written and quality assured by leading professionals working in audiology and use multimedia features such as animation and self assessment to support the learning.
Below are two sample elearning sessions you can try out.
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Tympanometry Equipment and Testing
This session introduces the tympanometer and explains its features as well as the principles of tympanometry, including when tympanometry would be used and how to perform the test on a subject with normal ears and hearing.
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Anatomy of the Inner Ear
This session describes the anatomy of the inner ear, excluding the balance system. It looks at its relative position and structure in detail. The inner and outer hair cells and their differences are identified. The session goes on to discuss the fluids contained in the inner ear. It uses animation and images to show what the inner ear looks like.
Executive group
Julia Moore OBE
(Chair of Executive Group) National Director, HEE elearning for healthcare
Alan Ryan
National Programme Director, HEE elearning for healthcare
Sue Hill Hon MRCP, OBE
Project Champion, Chief Scientific Officer & National Clinical Lead for Physiological Measurement, Department of Health
Adrian Davis OBE
Clinical Champion for Audiology, Director New Born Screening Programme, MRC Hearing and Communications Group
Ewa Raglan MD (Hons)
Consultant Audiological Physician
Linda Luxon
Professor of Audiovestibular Medicine, UCL Ear Institute
Project team
Adam Crowley
Project Manager, HEE elearning for healthcare
Nick Johnson
Implementation Manager, HEE elearning for healthcare
Paul Jabore
Lead Learning Designer, HEE elearning for healthcare
How to access
In order to access the Audiology programme, you will need an elfh account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below.
To view the Audiology programme, select the View button below. If you already have an account with elfh, you will also be able to login and enrol on the programme from the View button.
NHS healthcare staff in England
The Audiology programme is also available to NHS healthcare staff via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). Accessing this elearning via ESR means that your completions will transfer with you throughout your NHS career.
Further details are available here.
Not an NHS organisation?
If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access elfh Hub, you may be able to access the service by creating an OpenAthens account.
To check whether or not you qualify for free access via OpenAthens, you can view the eligibility criteria and register on the ‘OpenAthens’ portal.
Registering large numbers of users
If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the Audiology programme, please contact elfh directly.
Organisations wishing to use their own LMS
For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.
How to license
In the event that you do not qualify for free access to the Audiology programme, you are able to license access through eIntegrity, a community-interest company established for this purpose.
You can check whether or not you qualify for free access by clicking on the ‘Register’ button above.
For more information on the licensing options available for the Audiology programme, please visit the eIntegrity website.
More information
Please select the following link for more information on how to use the elfh Hub.