Report on European University Education in Audiology EFAS/DGA

1. Report on European University Education in AudiologyEFAS/DGA Bad Zwischenhn, Germany 17/18 January 2008 http://medi.uni-oldenburg.de/euea/index.html E.Pace Balzan As presented at the GA in Goteborg, Sweden, 16/6/08

2. Introduction: • Background to the concept of the ‘General Audiologist’ developed at a meeting in Giessen (Germany) in 1999 • Country representatives gave short presentations about existing educational programmes in Audiology as well as the current state of the practice of Audiology in their respective countries http://medi.uni-oldenburg.de/euea/html/country_specific.html –

3. 3 Sets of Working Groups First set Common features in Curricula across Europe in • Group 1: Technical Audiology • Group 2: Medical Audiology • Group 3: Pedagogical Audiology http://medi.uni-oldenburg.de/euea/html/curriculum.html http://medi.uni-oldenburg.de/euea/html/country_specific.html • Note: for the purposes of this meeting Audiology Professionals were divided into 3 groups: technical medical and pedagogical and representatives from all 3 groups were present at this workshop

4. Second set of working groups • Group 1: Core curriculum across different programs (whether medical, technical or pedagogical) http://medi.uni-oldenburg.de/euea/html/curriculum.html • Group 2: Options for exchange points across different programs and funding • Group 3: Political and legal issues (and what is the ‘General Audiologist’ and the ‘Audiology Expert’)

5. Group 2 (Exchange across different training programs and funding) established that (i) the start point was to collect a consortium of universities and sites that are willing to work together (ii) then, collect information about existing training programs and the entry points and requirements for exchange students (iii) next set up a grant proposal (e.g. for EU funding) EFAS could facilitate this process The role of EFAS would be to coordinate harmonization of curricula, facilitate exchange of information, and provide a list of institutions which participate in networked programs. EFAS could also develop a structure to provide CME

6. Group 3 (Political and Legal issues) proposed that EFAS should have a ‘Code of Ethics’ which could be adopted by its member states to achieve good practice Regarding concept of the GA within the concept of the Bologna Declaration: -General Audiologist level compatible with Bachelor degree -Audiological Specialist level compatible with a Master degree EFAS could act as the certification body at the different levels

7. Third set of working groups • Group 1: Inventory of partners that wish to participate in the Intensive Program (IP). Proposal for the exchange of students and lecturers. Information: Inga.Holube@fh-oow.de . Proposed meeting in March 2009, Coimbra, Portugal. Proposed first summer school 2010 • Group 2: The Bachelor/Master level as applied to the General Audiologist / Specialized Audiologist See diagram: http://medi.uni-oldenburg.de/euea/html/framework.html • Group 3: Curriculum/ Competencies development (minimum requirements) http://medi.uni-oldenburg.de/euea/html/curriculum.html • Group 4: Modules for a Master in Audiology for ENT Specialists http://medi.uni-oldenburg.de/euea/html/curriculum.html

8. Program framework

9. Possible pathways for becoming a ‘Specialized Audiologist’

10. Achievements • Increased knowledge of the existing University curricula for Education in Audiology • Agreement to get a European exchange program for Audiology trainees and lecturers running • Expanded on the concept of the General Audiologist within the guidelines of the Bologna Declaration