Course

Hearing Aids and Bioacoustics II

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Hearing Instrument Practitioner
Course code
HEAR 2100
Credits
2.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Online
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course builds upon the topics covered in Hearing Aids & Bioacoustics I (HEAR 1100). Concepts previously introduced such as compression, channels, programs, directional microphones, and digital noise reduction will be greatly expanded upon in this course.
Course content
  1. Introduction to compression as compared to linear signal processing
  2. Input/output functions, and how to read them
  3. Comparison of output limiting compression (OLC) versus wide dynamic range compression (WDRC)
  4. Dynamic aspects of compression (attack/release times)
  5. Multi-channel and programmability in hearing aids
  6. Compression in digital hearing aids
  7. Features common to digital hearing aids such as digital noise reduction, feedback reduction and expansion
Learning activities
  1. Online delivery
  2. Independent study of courseware
  3. Independent completion of online self-assessment quizzes
  4. Completion of field assignments
  5. Participation in online discussion forums
Means of assessment

The course evaluation will be consistent with ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½evaluation policy. An evaluation schedule will be provided in the course outline at the beginning of the course.

Midterm exam – 20-30%

Quizzes – 20-40% 

Field Assignments - 0-10%

Online Discussions - 0-10%

Final exam – 20-30%

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Define the elements of linear versus compression signal processing
  2. Categorize the various commonly used types of compression found in today’s digital hearing aids, such as output limiting compression (OLC) and wide dynamic range compression (WDRC)
  3. Recognize acoustic characteristics of linear and compression types of signal processing
  4. Explain dynamic aspects of compression found in digital hearing aids
  5. Discuss multi-channel and programmable properties in hearing aids
  6. Explain the basic technology behind directional microphones
  7. Describe features found in digital hearing aids, such as digital noise reduction and feedback reduction
  8. Compare the clinical benefits of directional microphones and digital noise reduction for understanding speech in background noise
Textbook materials

Consult the ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½Bookstore for required materials.

Requisites

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see

Institution Transfer details for HEAR 2100
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Summer 2025