Apprenticeship training course
Hearing aid dispenser (level 5)
Working independently to test people's hearing, advising on hearing care and where necessary supplying and fitting hearing aids and other communication devices.
- Qualification level
-
5
Equivalent to higher national diploma (HND). - Typical duration
- 24 months
- Apprenticeship category
- Health and science
- Maximum funding
-
£11,000
Maximum amount government will fund
for apprenticeship training. - Also known as
-
- Audiologist
- Hearing aid audiologist
- Hearing aid dispenser
- Hearing specialist
- Skills
-
Skills an apprentice will learn
- To be able to interpret, apply and evidence the practical application of all relevant Health and Care professions Council Standards into actions and behaviours.
- To be able to exercise a professional duty of care.
- To maintain objective, professional and comprehensive records that clearly evidences gaining informed consent, activities delivered and accurately reflects all discussions and supports the continuity of end user care.
- To be able to use a structured approach to building a Continuous Professional Development portfolio that meets regulatory requirements and follows Professional Body guidance.
- To be able to engage in reflective practice appropriate to the role.
- Effective communication skills; including questioning, active listening, observation and rapport with end users, carers, their families and the wider care team.
- To be able to confidently navigate and seamlessly use the employers selected patient/customer record system.
- Safely conduct otoscopy to British Society of Audiology standards and safely conduct physical ear examinations.
- Identify, report and advise on observed abnormalities for onward referral to another healthcare practitioner.
- Explain the results of the examination to the end user in a professional and empathetic manner advising on the most appropriate action to take and using the findings to inform the next stages of assessment.
- To respect physical and cultural barriers that may prevent the examination to be effectively conducted and make adjustments where practical and necessary.
- Conduct safe, effective and appropriate ear wax removal.
- To take a relevant case history and record findings, specific to wax management, including; the nature and position of wax and the relevant case history and contra indicators to influence the selected removal approach.
- To safely and effectively dispose of clinical waste.
- To be able to conduct air conduction and bone conduction audiometry to British Society of Audiology recommended procedure.
- To be able to interpret air conduction and bone conduction results to determine if masking rules apply and where necessary perform the masking procedure.
- To be able to interpret the results obtained and make onward referral or determine service user care plan actions.
- To be able to adapt testing procedure and explanations to suit different responses and avoid erroneous results, including where tinnitus is present.
- To be able to explain the audiogram, results and any identified hearing loss to the person being tested.
- To analyse audiometric results to select the most suitable technology to assist an end users hearing.
- To program and set up a hearing product in a way that provides the best experience for the end user, their families or carers.
- To communicate with end users and their families or carers in a way that motivates them to want to take action, while respecting their individuality and competence in making informed choice.
- The ability to evaluate service user feedback on amplification and how this will be incorporated into the fitting and Individual Management Plan.
- To be able to use objective outcome verification and outcome validation methods and interpret the results to determine appropriate amplification objective and strategy.
- To be able to construct and write up a individual management plan centred on patient needs with a joint decision making and goal setting approach.
- To be able to explain and demonstrate hearing aid maintenance and use to the service user.
- To be able to set up assistive listening devices.
- To be able to adjust or reprogram hearing aids as appropriate to the patient’s feedback provided at the rehabilitation appointment.
- To be able to use an array of hearing satisfaction outcome questionnaires. and objective verification methods.
- To be able to access and interpret hearing aid data from built in usage log systems.
- To be able to fine tune the programming of hearing aids to improve the end user experience.
- To be able to design a task orientated programme to support the improvement in communication skills of the end user and their support network.
- Be able to conduct a systematic fault find of a hearing instrument using visual and electronic tests.
- Perform hearing aid triage - Cleaning, maintaining and making simple repairs of hearing instruments.
- To communicate with end users resulting in identifying their end goals with relation to their current hearing aids and hearing needs.
- To be able update and record findings alongside reviewing any previous records to highlight any changes that may have occurred for the end user.
- To communicate with end users and their families and/or carers in a way that will allow them to make an informed joint decision about their management plan.
- To be able to explain the impression taking procedure to patient professionally and calmly.
- To be able to insert a variety of otostops at the correct position for the required product and to seal ear canal.
- To be able to take an impression compliant to British Society of Audiology recommended procedures using a variety of impression materials and syringes.
- To be able to identify when the impression is ready for removal and safely remove it without trauma to the ear.
- To be able to advise and escalate actions, calmly, if an issue arises during the impression taking or removal procedure.
- To be able to inspect, examine and review the completed impression to assess it's viability for the supplier to use to manufacture the desired product.
- Time management and prioritisation skills.
Full information on Hearing aid dispenser (level 5) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
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Regulated occupation
Hearing aid dispenser (level 5) needs a training provider who is approved by Health and Care Professions Council.
Apprenticeship location
Canterbury, Kent Remove location