Effectiveness of Simulation Training on Graduate Audiology Students' Auditory Brainstem Response Testing Skills

Abstract

Purpose Simulation is a tool commonly used in the clinical training of students within the health professions fields, such as medicine and nursing. The effectiveness of simulation as a teaching technique has been extensively documented in numerous health care professions; however, little is known about the effectiveness of simulation techniques in audiology education. This study assesses the effectiveness of a simulation activity focused on auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing conducted with students of an applied doctoral program in audiology. Method Twelve 2nd year audiology graduate students enrolled in the auditory electrophysiology course at Towson University in Fall 2018 participated in this pre–post study. Over a 3-week period, each student (a) received didactic instruction in ABR testing, (b) underwent a presimulation exercise skills assessment, (c) participated in a simulation exercise, and (d) underwent a postsimulation exercise skills assessment. Results Significant improvements were observed in clinical skill level for the ABR tasks evaluated in terms of both accuracy and efficiency (time in seconds needed to complete the task). The tasks evaluated included skin preparation, identification of scalp electrode placement sites, and scalp electrode placement in a variety of configurations (single- and two-channel arrays, horizontal and vertical electrode montages). Benefits associated with simulation-based instruction varied by clinical skill as well as by student. Conclusions The data described in this study reinforce the need to incorporate simulation in audiology training programs, especially for complex clinical skills. It also emphasizes the need for additional research that can be useful in the design and implementation of simulation-based exercises.

Improving Audiology Student Training by Clinical Simulation of Tinnitus: A Glimpse of the Lived Experience of Tinnitus

“…They also noted different barriers to the use of this method, such as a lack of knowledge/training, limited financial resources, an under-trained faculty, and minimal guidance from accrediting bodies. Clinical simulation has been used in audiology for many diverse purposes, such as improving (1) case history and feedbacks skills [ 47 ], (2) audiometry testing skills (including visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA)) [ 48 , 49 ], (3) auditory brain-stem response setup skills [ 50 ] and waveforms analysis [ 51 ], (4) otoscopic examination [ 52 ], and (5) probe tube placement for hearing aid verification [ 53 ]. The latter uses a real-sized head and ear mannequin called CARL that allows the many different audiology skill sets to be practiced, including ear impression, ear wax removal, audiometry, and hearing aid fitting/verification [ 54 ].…”