Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong

Programme Overview

The Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, was one of the first in South East Asia and China to offer post-graduate training in audiology. The first students were enrolled in 1996, and the next entry will be in September 2012.

What is Audiology?

This rapidly developing specialty involves the prevention, identification and assessment of hearing disorders and the rehabilitation of persons with hearing impairment. Hearing loss can have serious consequences for social, educational and language development if not detected and treated promptly. Audiologists work in a wide variety of settings, including adult and paediatric hospitals, private hearing aid practice, industrial consulting, schools and in research.

One person in ten has some form of hearing impairment. There is a strong demand for audiologists in many nations, including those in Asia, and our graduates are employed in a wide range of audiological settings.

The Programme

The division's two-year programme provides students with detailed theoretical background knowledge of human hearing and hearing loss, as well as intensive clinical practice in a variety of audiology placements. The medium of instruction is English and our students are encouraged to actively participate in the learning process. Assessment is in part progressive and by examination. With special arrangements and permission from the division, overseas students may be able to undertake part of their clinical training in their own countries. The programme is designed to provide students with high quality clinical skills and an appreciation of research in audiology. Students carry out a research project in the second year of the course.

Curriculum Outline

Anatomy and physiology:

general overview of human anatomy and physiology

Biological bases of speech and hearing:

anatomy, physiology and neurology of speech and hearing

Hearing Science:

acoustics and psychoacoustics

Audiology I:

basic audiometry, report writing, interpretation of audiological information

Audiology II:

paediatric audiology

Audiology III:

advanced audiological theory, diagnostic audiology including auditory evoked response and otoacoustic emission assessments

Amplification I:

personal hearing aids and classroom amplification systems - prescription and fitting

Amplification II:

advanced studies in the area of hearing aid fitting and cochlea implant procedures

Intervention I:

basic counselling approaches, the impact of hearing impairment

Intervention II:

auditory training for adults and children

Intervention III:

further work in the area of aural rehabilitation

Special topics:

including industrial audiology and educational audiology

Research methods:

research design, statistical methods and critical evaluation of research literature

Practical training I:

intensive supervised clinical work in a variety of audiological placements

Practical training II:

intensive supervised clinical work in a variety of audiological placements

Case study:

a detailed report on a hearing impaired individual and their assessment and rehabilitation needs

Dissertation:

a research project on a topic related to audiology or hearing science

Employers' Comments

"Your graduates possess excellent clinical skills, flexibility and patience towards clients."
Janet Ng, Manager, Widex Hong Kong Hearing & Speech Centre Ltd.

"I have hired so many of your graduates already. They are reliable, responsible, and hardworking."
Ping Kay Kam, Audiologist & Director, Phonak Hearing Centre Hong Kong Ltd.

Students' Comments

"I enjoy the programme very much. The PBL format used in the programme encourages a lot of discussion in class, which enables us to have a thorough and extensive understanding of the matters involved in audiology. The opportunities to get involved in different placement settings have also facilitated hands-on practice and allowed me to develop my clinical skills. Professors are helpful, and are very enthusiastic on sharing their knowledge with us. I also apreciate the department's effort in inviting world-renowned scholars from all over the world to come and give us lecture. This allows us to stay in touch with the latest development of the industry. Overall speaking, I am truly grateful with how the programme equips me as an audiologist."

"Problem-based learning efffectively facilitates my learning through a systematic, well-guided process, in which we critically question, discuss and conclude altogether. This is a really fun and thrilleing learning journey!"

"The overseas clinical placement in mainland China during this summer break widened my eyes on how our audiology profession is practiced outside Hong Kong and the pressing need in our professional service, offering me insights in future job opportunities!"

"The faculty has heen very nice and supportive in guiding us through happiness and bitterness. They are not only inspiring teachers, but also caring mentors and friends! We really feel like a big family!!"

Tuition and Fees

Fees for 2012/2013 intakes will be as follows:

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Payment instructions:
Please refer to the “Instruction for Application Fee Payment for Taught Postgraduate Programmes” which is attached to the application form. If in a special case, you cannot use of the mentioned payment methods, you may make payment through Bank of East Asia (BEA) counter to HKU bank account no. “015-514-40-59222-6” by cash or crossed cheque payable to “The University of Hong Kong”. After the completion of the payment transaction, please ensure that the 19-digit payment reference (i.e. 2099999983 00000 4001) printed on the bank pay-in slip is correctly input by the bank teller.
Enquiry: Please call Finance and Enterprises Office (FEO) at 2859 2322 or send email to student@fo.hku.hk if you have any question on the payment instruction.

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On leaving the University, a student’s caution money shall be used to offset the graduation fee or, if the student is not graduating, be returned to the student.

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Provisional.

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For the purpose of admission of non-local students, "non-local students" should be defined as persons entering Hong Kong for the purpose of education with a student visa/entry permit issued by the Director of Immigration.

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Due on acceptance of offer of admission and will be credited to the composition fee.

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Science in Audiology applicants should hold:

1. either a Bachelor's degree with honours preferably with a major in psychology, linguistics, physics, speech and hearing sciences or other science subjects from The University of Hong Kong; or
2. a degree from another university or comparable institution accepted as equivalent.

Admissions

Applicants may apply online via the online application system at www.hku.hk/rss/online.

Information Session

Date

March 3, 2012 (Saturday)

Time

3:00 - 5:00 pm

Venue

Room LG01, Hui Oi Chow Science Building