Microaccreditation in Auditory System and Cognitive Decline

The Microaccreditation course in Auditory System and Cognitive Decline aims to develop skills in two areas that are in full development at an international level in the practice of Audiology and that require some professional maturity.
The course consists of two curricular units:
– Cognitive Screening in Audiology: Hearing loss causes changes in brain structures and functions, increases the cognitive load as it requires greater effort to listen and understand what is being said. This effort will reduce the resources for auditory memory as these are finite and shared between listening and memory. The individual, due to effort and often to hearing fatigue, ends up isolating himself, which aggravates the risk of cognitive decline. If a good quality of hearing is necessary to reduce the risk of cognitive decline, the opposite also happens, especially if the listening environment is adverse (eg, noisy). The role of the graduate in Audiology (Audiologist) in auditory rehabilitation/training can contribute to the reduction of auditory-cognitive effort being a fact. This intervention may contribute to decreasing the risk of cognitive decline. At the beginning of auditory rehabilitation/auditory training, the Audiologist should screen for cognitive decline, not only to refer suspected cases, but also to monitor the improvement or maintenance of the cognitive health of the individual who uses their services. At an international level, such as in the USA, this practice by the Audiologist is starting to become commonplace. In Portugal, with training in cognition on the part of many audiologists, it is a current issue.
– Handling Cerumen in Audiology: Cerumen can cause hearing difficulties and discomfort and in some cases contribute to infections in the external auditory canal or even to the individual’s social isolation. Although the presence of cerumen is often asymptomatic, individuals may experience, in addition to hearing loss, a feeling of clogged ears, tinnitus, ear pain, among other symptoms. In the professional practice of the Audiologist, the removal of cerumen is something necessary so that the performance of audiological tests and the impression taking for the molds to be attached to the hearing aids is reliable. In several countries around the world, such as the USA and the United Kingdom, the Audiologist is also responsible for extracting cerumen. In these countries, advanced professional training courses on cerumen extraction are taught at various universities. Methods used may include irrigation of the external auditory canal, microsuction and manual removal. In Portugal, cerumen extraction is performed exclusively by Otorhinolaryngology doctors. This fact means that individuals often have to wait months for a consultation in a hospital with this specialty. Something that could be easily resolved by the Audiologist who, at this moment, whenever necessary, forwards to the otorhinolaryngology doctor for cerumen extraction.

Graduates in Audiology with clinical practice in audiology for at least 3 years, duly proven, may apply for enrollment and enrollment.

Portuguese