Expert in Hearing Technology and Audiology

Contents

The program offers advanced and multidisciplinary training in audiology, integrating the biological foundations of hearing, psychoacoustics, digital signal processing, auditory and vestibular technologies, objective diagnostic systems, and applications of artificial intelligence and big data. Training is complemented by in-person practical sessions focused on the use of clinical devices, data analysis, and the resolution of real cases in audiology and vestibulology.

A1. Advanced Signal Processing in Hearing Aids, Cochlear Implants, and Central Implants (3 ECTS)
- Physiology of hearing and auditory pathologies.
- Digital signal processing applied to hearing aids.
- Noise reduction and speech enhancement technologies.
- Auditory implants: typologies, indications, fitting, and clinical procedures.
- Fitting and optimization of hearing devices.

A2. Cochlear Micromechanics (3 ECTS)
- Anatomy and structure of the cochlea.
- Mechanical properties of the basilar membrane and cochlear amplification.
- Mechanosensory transduction and biomechanical interactions.
- Theoretical models of cochlear micromechanics.
- Genetics and hearing.

A3. Psychoacoustics: Principles and Applications in Auditory Perception (3 ECTS)
- Fundamentals of psychoacoustics.
- Relationship between physical properties of sound and auditory perception.
- Masking, critical bands, and loudness.
- Localization and separation of sound sources.
- Applications in audiology, implants, acoustics, and artificial intelligence.

A4. Pathophysiology of the Ear and Hearing Diagnostic Devices (3 ECTS)
- Anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the auditory system.
- Cochlear function, auditory nerve, and central auditory pathways.
- Audiometry, tympanometry, and impedancemetry.
- Otoacoustic emissions and electrocochleography.
- Auditory evoked potentials and auditory steady-state responses.

A5. Advanced Statistics, AI, and Big Data in Audiology (3 ECTS)- Fundamentals of statistics applied to audiology.
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning.
- Analysis of large volumes of clinical data.
- Personalized medicine and outcome prediction.
- Ethics, privacy, and data interoperability.

A6. Devices for Vestibular Diagnosis and Rehabilitation (3 ECTS)
- Functioning of the vestibular system.
- Vestibular pathologies and diagnostic methods.
- Vestibular diagnostic technologies.
- Vestibular rehabilitation and neuroplasticity.
- Clinical cases and design of personalized treatments.

A7. Advanced Audiology Practicum (3 ECTS)
- Practical sessions in cochlear micromechanics and acoustics.
- Psychoacoustics experiments.
- Fitting of cochlear implants and central implants, signal processing using Python/Matlab.
- Auditory electrophysiological evaluation (OAE, AEP, ECochG, ASSR).
- Vestibular diagnosis (vHIT, VEMPs) and clinical applications.

Itinerary

The Expert Diploma in Hearing Technology and Audiology can be undertaken in two ways:

- By enrolling directly on the full programme.
- By successfully completing the micro-credentials that make up the programme and then applying for recognition of these to gain entry to the programme and undertake the Advanced Audiology Practicum module.

Related programmes

Advanced Signal Processing in Hearing Loss Treatment Devices: Hearing Aids, Cochlear Implants, and Central Implants

Specific skills

- KT01: Relate advanced knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and neural processing of the auditory and vestibular system to explain the mechanisms involved in hearing, balance, and their disorders.
- KT02: Explain the physical, perceptual, and technological principles underlying modern hearing technologies, including hearing aids, auditory implants, diagnostic devices, and auditory and vestibular rehabilitation systems.
- KT03: Explain the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, advanced data analysis, and personalized medicine applied to audiology and hearing health technologies.

- ST01: Apply experimental, instrumental, and computational techniques to study auditory and vestibular function, characterize hearing devices, and interpret physiological and electrophysiological measurements.
- ST02: Interpret clinical, physiological, and perceptual data for the assessment of auditory and vestibular function and to support decision-making in clinical and research settings.
- ST03: Analyze auditory and vestibular technologies for their selection, fitting, and optimization based on the functional characteristics and individual needs of each patient.

- CT01: Integrate knowledge of cochlear biomechanics, psychoacoustics, auditory physiology, and signal processing technologies to understand the mechanisms of auditory perception and their application in the development and improvement of audiological solutions.
- CT02: Adopt an interdisciplinary approach to the use of advanced technologies for the diagnosis, assessment, and rehabilitation of auditory and vestibular disorders in clinical and healthcare contexts.
- CT03: Critically evaluate the use of artificial intelligence, big data, and digital technologies in audiology, considering ethical, privacy, quality, safety, and healthcare personalization aspects.
- CT04: Adapt advanced scientific and technological knowledge of audiology to professional practice, innovation,and research, in order to propose improvements in the population's auditory and vestibular health.

Title obtained

Expert Diploma in Hearing Technology and Audiology