AUDP 8510 - Genetics and Pediatric Audiology: Foundations and Clinical Practice

10 weeks/4 credit hours

This course provides an integrated exploration of genetic, developmental, and pediatric considerations in audiology. Students will review embryological development of the ear, basic inheritance patterns, and genetic syndromes where hearing loss and/or audiovestibular deficits occur. The course emphasizes identification and intervention of pediatric hearing loss through developmental milestones, age-appropriate diagnostic procedures, and evidence-based amplification strategies. Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs, legislative mandates, and the role of educational audiologists are examined, alongside program administration, tracking, and quality improvement. Students will also develop skills in family-centered counseling, infection control in pediatric settings, and interprofessional collaboration. Ethical issues, appropriate referrals for genetic testing, and the complex challenges faced by young patients and their families are explored, with emphasis on multidisciplinary resources and best practice standards.