About the Program > Course Descriptions

Course Descriptions

PST 775: Opening Seminar: Orientation to Peer Mentoring

This session will provide an overview of the Peer Mentoring Program. The history and rationale of the program will be discussed and the coursework and expectations will be reviewed. The definition of civility will be covered and good use of professional courtesy will be discussed.  The format for the session will be lecture, discussion, and group work. Students will be given detailed instruction on how to use Blackboard, an online tool that will be primarily used for this program. Practicum assessments will be completed on-site and posted on Blackboard to prepare students utilize this application.  Additionally, students will have several opportunities to meet and network with other peers in the class, as well as with instructors.

PST 776: Hearing Loss in America

This course will provide an overview of hearing loss in America. Learners will read articles and complete activities to help them develop a broad understanding of the impact of hearing loss on U.S. citizens. Ongoing dialogue through the use of a discussion board will supplement ‘live’ chat discussions and related reading and assignments. Topics covered in this course will include: demographics of hearing loss in the U.S., micro-, meso- & macro-impact of hearing loss on individuals with hearing loss and their family, friends and co-workers, economic, cultural, healthcare & legal impact and options, related social policy and law; and community and national resources.

PST 777: Practical Audiology for Consumers

This course provides an overview of audiology for consumer needs. Hearing health professionals and their scopes of practice will be explored. Participants will develop an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the hearing mechanism and be able to describe how sound travels from its source to its interpretation by the brain. Several of the most common etiologies related to hearing loss will be examined. Participants will learn how to interpret basic audiologic information including pure tone results, speech audiometry and impedance results.

PST 778: Biopsychosocial Aspects of Hearing Loss

This course will explore the various aspects of the biopsychosocial model as it relates to hearing loss with particular emphasis on the psychological (affective, behavioral, cognitive) and social impact of hearing loss on individuals, their families, and group contexts in which they communicate. Topics covered in the course include: the grieving process and crisis as it relates to progressive and sudden onset hearing loss, parallel reactions, the range of behavioral reactions as it relates to the Assertiveness Continuum Model, as well as social and psychological impact of hearing loss.

PST 779: Communication Assistive Technology

This course focuses on communication technology, which enhances the ability of a person with hearing loss to communicate more effectively. Mentors will be taught to assess the communication needs of their peers and help to select and pursue appropriate options for one on one, group and computer-based communication, as well as to access the media (TV, radio, etc.). Emphasis will be on four areas of technology: Alerting & Warning Devices, Personal Amplification Systems, Group Listening Systems and Cochlear Implants. Both
Consumer Strategies and Communication Strategies will be addressed in this course.

PST 780: Peer Mentoring

This course will focus on the mentoring process, applying all information learned up to this point. Boundaries for mentors will be explored, clearly defined, and contrasted with those of counseling professionals. A needs assessment format will be explored for application to the peer mentoring experience. Problem-solving models will be introduced and practical solutions will be discussed. The assertiveness continuum will be applied to communication strategies and effective use of these methods will be covered.

PST 781: Closing Seminar: Applications of Peer Mentoring

This session will focus on applying and integrating all the content learned through the coursework in the program to the realistic responsibilities of the peer mentor professional. It will use discussion, lecture, and group work to apply real case studies to different aspects of the scope of practice for peer mentors.  Professional ethics and issues will be covered, as well as, how to cope in stressful situations, situations involving difficult to work with individuals, and situations requiring participating in a multidisciplinary team.  Community resources will be explored. Advocacy issues will be addressed. Trends in audiology and aural rehabilitation will be discussed. Hands-on exposure will be given for audiometric interpretation and hearing technology.  Strategic planning for the future will be introduced and covered on a group and individual basis.