Taking Ear Impressions
A one-day course on how to take an impression of the ear safely and accurately using the latest techniques and procedures. A theoretical and practical training day that will give you the confidence and skill to take the perfect impression. View full details…
This one-day course takes place on a Wednesday. Please select venue and course date using the calendar below.
£295.00
Description
This is a specialised learning course for those Healthcare professionals who already have qualifications in ear anatomy and otoscopy and/or experience in audiology. The course will provide you with the skills to take perfect ear impressions safely and expertly.
By taking this course, you will be able to offer more services to your patients including the provision of ear impressions for hearing aids and hearing aid molds. Ear plugs for noise, swimming, shooting, musician in ear monitors, surveillance intercoms, motorcycle, industry, motorsport and other specialist requirements. The practices are taught following the guidelines of the British Society of Audiology.
The course focuses on the main methods of taking earmold impressions using a syringe or gun. The content covers all aspects of earmold impression taking, including ear anatomy, earmold impression history and theory, infection control, equipment training, client assessment, technique, documentation and ear infections.
On successful completion of the Taking Ear Impressions course, trainees will be able to:
- Undertake otoscopy and impression-taking safely (on individuals over 5 years) and according to BSA procedure.
- Recognise conditions of the ear, identify ear abnormalities and understand onward referral guidelines.
- Recognise responsibility to adhere to scope of practice and insurance/liability limitations.
- Understand outer, middle, and inner ear anatomy, physiology, and common ear conditions.
- Demonstrate appropriate history-taking.
- Safely perform ear examinations, following BSA guidelines.
- Adapt ear examinations and still be safe with different patients and surroundings.
- Understand appropriate use of earwax removal methods and offer recommendations.
- Demonstrate patient-centred care and appropriate communication with patients and significant others.
- Reflect on the areas of gaining consent, documentation, and further ear care management.
- Manage health and safety issues and have practical infection control procedures.
- Understanding different otoscopes and video scopes and their limitations.
- Arrange for earmold manufacture and keep accurate records of procedure.
By completing this course, you will learn extensively about the tools which are used for ear mold impression taking as well as techniques to safely use them. Equipment used includes otoscopes, otolights, otoblocks, impression materials, bracing, bite blocks, syringes and impression guns.
Areas covered by the course include:
The one-day course covers a range of topics that help you become confident and competent within ear examinations and taking ear impressions. To support this, we assign foremost importance to real-life subject training and use an extensive library of images for learners to develop their confidence. We tailor each course to meet the needs of the individual participants on the day with a trainer who is skilled in making the learning environment an inclusive one for all participants. Core elements of the course cover the following areas:
- Ear anatomy and physiology
- Consultation skills, history taking and personal assessment.
- Common ear problems – foreign bodies, earache, infection, cerumen impaction
- Obtaining informed consent
- Safe practice during ear examinations and impression taking.
- Potential problems and how to address them.
- Equipment and consumables
- Infection control, safe disposal and cleaning of equipment
- Patient advice
- Health and safety and risk assessment
- Methods of earmold impression taking, all aspects of the actual impression taking process, with a clear focus on technique. Includes: bracing, otoblock selection and placement, bite block placement, gun vs. syringe material loading and injection, cure time, removal, inspection of impression, and the post-removal ear exam.
- Documentation & Outcomes A review of the post-impression process, including end product fitting, addressing remakes, and proper documentation.
Registration and drinks 8:45 am
Morning Session
9:00 am Welcome to the course – getting to know each other and your trainer.
9:15 am Overview of Anatomy and Physiology of the Ear
9:30 am The importance of patient history, gaining consent and documentation.
9:45 am Abnormalities and pathologies of the ear
Common ear ailments and their treatments
Characteristics of wax and recommendations for wax removal
10.00 am Methods of earmold impression taking.
Introduction of equipment.
Otoblock placement techniques
Observe and practice otoscopy and otoblock placement.
Break
11.15 am Observe and practice impression taking.
Safe practice on ‘dummy ears’
12:00 noon Lunch 30min
Afternoon Session
12:30 pm Real patient practice sessions.
1:30 pm Q&A session including critical review of impressions.
2:00 pm Practical assessment
Break
3:00 pm Short verbal and written assessment, reflective practice.
3.45 pm Review & close.
Finish 4pm
- Short quiz with verbal questions, multiple choice questions, short written answers.
- We are looking for safe practice.
- We will assess you on your progression in competency and we offer constructive feedback after each patient to help you improve.
- The ability to understand and recognise correct and incorrect placement of an otoblock.
- The ability to safely take an ear impression and correctly determine its suitability.
- Completed training logbook with one reflective practice.
- Understanding of contraindications.
- Understanding when to refer to other healthcare professionals.
On successful completion and assessed competency, you will receive an Audible Education Accredited pass certificate that can be added to your professional CPD portfolio.
To join the impressions course, and progress your specialisms, you ideally need to be a healthcare professional who is currently practising, or about to work in, hearing care.
Professions that may wish to expand their knowledge or consider aural care may include the following:
- audiologists
- dentists
- GPs and other qualified doctors
- head and neck specialists
- healthcare professionals working within the health and social care sector
- hospital nurses
- nurse practitioners
- occupational therapists
- osteopaths
- paramedics (particularly those working in a primary care setting)
- pharmacists
- physician associates / assistants
- physiotherapists
- podiatrists
- practice nurses
- registered hearing aid dispensers
Other healthcare professionals – please contact us to discuss your experience and requirements. We would love to talk to you about other areas where we can support your training and help you build a career pathway in audiology.
Aural care and taking impressions should only be undertaken by those who have successfully completed both a formal theory and practical training to carry it out. Those undergoing training in impression taking, and subsequently performing the task, would normally be experienced hearing health care professionals.
The audiology, nursing or medical professional usually undertaking this procedure will be registered with a statutory regulator (e.g. the HCPC, NMC or GMC) or registered on a PSA accredited register (AHCS or RCCP).
All non-registered healthcare professionals or practitioners (e.g. hearing and health care assistants – HCA) must undergo the required training in impression taking procedures and understand the clinical governance arrangements that are in place regarding procedural and professional scope
If in doubt please speak to us: contact@audible-education.co.uk
- 1 day course.
- Free on-site road parking.
- Refreshments and lunch provided.
- Our certificate to add to your professional CPD portfolio.
- Discounted equipment packages available.
- Discounted ongoing supplies available.
- Relevant form templates provided.
- On going after training support.
Coming soon.