Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.


Knowledge of hearing devices and their technical features includes:
Hearing aids
Assistive listening devices including implantable aids and other sensory devices
Alerting devices
Volume control, telecoil, direct audio input, directional microphones


Components include:
Custom, modular, analogue, digital, programmable, non-programmable
Induction, infra-red, FM
Microphones, directional microphones, amplifiers, tone controls and filters, receivers, telecoil, audio input, remote control, bone conductor, batteries, A:D and DA converters


Acoustic features include:
Venting, tubing horns, constriction, dampers
Mould and shell materials


Electro-acoustic features include:
Gain, maximum power output, compression, AGCi, AGCo, output limiting, multiple channels, multiple bands


Advanced signal processing includes:
Multiple microphones/ports, feedback managers, noise cancellers, multi-memories, adaptive features, frequency transposition, speech cue enhancement


Equipment used for hearing device evaluation includes:
Test box
Insertion gain machine
PC
HiPro/Noah Link
Manufacturer's software
Recorded speech material


Test box measurements may include:
Assessment of acoustic performance
Determination of battery consumption
Comparison of acoustic performance against manufacturer's specifications to determine if hearing aid is working to specification
Setting coupler gain targets

EVIDENCE GUIDE

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible


Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Access to appropriate workplace, equipment and instruments where assessment can take place or the simulation of realistic workplace setting, including access to equipment for assessments
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
Relevant professional bodies policies and guidelines on the conduct of screening hearing tests
Relevant legislative and regulatory documents
Relevant publications from peer-reviewed sources
Access to professional library for accurate and current relevant information
Manufacturers' specifications for the use and storage of equipment


Method of assessment
Observation in the work place (if possible)
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory)If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
Practical case presentation
Case studies and scenarios
Interviews/Questioning
Role plays
Written exams


Related units:
This unit is to be assessed in conjunction with the following related units:
HLTAU505B Dispense and maintain hearing devices for adults and provide communication counselling
HLTAU506B Develop, implement and evaluate an individual hearing program
HLTAU508B Identify needs for referral