General Information
Background
Audiology in the Philippines takes its humble beginnings from courses given by the Santo Tomas University Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology the first of which was offered in 1991. Since then, audiology has been the most sought after topic in our postgraduate courses ranging from three days to two weeks. Thanks to the unselfish support of the so-called pillars of Audiology in the Philippines from other countries such as Dr. Suchitra Prasansuk, Prof. Jun-ichi Suzuki, Prof. Phillip Newall, Prof. Dennis K.K. Au, Prof. Michael Gorga, Douglas Clutton, Glynn Vaughan and others who are too numerous to mention. The highlight of our activities was the hosting of the 4th Asia Pacific Congress on Deafness in 1994 which forged the bond between the medical and educational aspect of Audiology and the opening of the Hearing and Dizziness Center, Santo Tomas, University Hospital, an IFOS, ISA, HI fully accredited center for the prevention of deafness and hearing impairment.
The Republic ACT No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994" has for its purpose to rationalize graduate education in the country. Accreditation of undergraduate programs shall be the major consideration in granting permits to open new graduate programs except in cases where the Commission believes that the opening of such programs will contribute significantly to the development of high-level manpower in underdescribed and critical discipline. Audiology is a field which certainly falls in the critical discipline.
The dream of improving the audiological services by trying to profesionalise the field and set up a graduate diploma course at the University of Santo Tomas, Department of Otorhinolaryngology has now been turned into reality. The Masteral Course in Clinical Audiology is the first of its kind in the country accredited by the Commission on Higher Eduction and course curriculum designed by Macquarie University, Sydney.
Program Description
Audiology is the study of hearing, disorders of hearing and the remedial measures available to help the hearing impaired. Audiology can generally be divided into several distinct areas. The program is one which appeals to those wishing to work with people, linguistics and psychology are useful background, although other science courses are also appropriate.
The study of the nature and various types of hearing impairment and their effect upon the individual is a rewarding one. The often sophisticated Audiological and balance test procedures used in clinical diagnostic assessment have to be mastered and the complex equipment used must be understood. Audiologists also interpret test results and have to report on such results to medical and other staff.
The work involves remedial procedures such as the provision of hearing aid, vibro-tactile devices and cochlear implant devices for the profoundly hearing impaired. Other equipment is often used by the hearing impaired persons in an attempt to cope with their handicap.
There is also a need for auditory rehabilitation programs to help the hearing impaired. Counseling, auditory training and the acquisition of such skills as lipreading can make a significant contribution to the quality of life of the hearing impaired community.
The Audiologist must be aware of the needs of the handicapped group. There must be a group of test techniques involved to identify the various types of hearing loss in children and adults, and a knowledge of the remedial measures necessary to assist the hearing impaired person.
The program aims to provide its students with a.) basic understanding of the normal anatomy and physiology of the auditory system; b.) overview of psychoacoustics; c.) audiologic clinical skills; d.) understanding of the impact of hearing on the patient; and e.) skills in amplification and oral rehabilitation.
Being a pioneer in the Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas has forged a Memorandum of Understanding with Macquarie University of Sydney, Australia. The Memorandum is aimed at improving the field of Audiology in the Philippines through scholarly cooperation between the two institutions.
Facilities
Being a pioneer in the field of Audiology in the Philippines, the Department of Otorhinolaryngology takes pride with their Center for Audiological Sciences. The Center, a sound-proof and air-conditioned complex, is the first of its kind dedicated for research and training in Audiology. It is fully functional diagnostic facility consisting of the following:
- Vesibular Laboratory- for testing balance functions
HORTMANN Electronystagmograph - Audiology Laboratory- for hearing evaluation and Hearing aid fitting
MADSEN Aurical
OTODYNAMICS ILO288 Echoport OAE
HOMOTH Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry
HOMOTH Tympanometry
MADSEN OAE Screener
MADSEN Impedance Audiometer
INTERACCOUSTICS AD27 Diagnostic Audiometer
INTERACCOUSTICS AS208 Screening Audiometer - Ear mold Laboratory- for manufacturing quality ear moulds
The laboratory houses state-of-the-art and sophisticated equipments, which are at par with those in developed countries. Also, a library of books, journals, slides, videotapes, and other informational materials on Audiology are available for use among students. The Laboratory has also installed updated versions of different Fitting Protocol Softwares like DSL i/o V.4 NAL-NL1.2, HASP and Noah.
Affiliate Centers
The Audiology Program have identified various Centers which will serve as training ground for students enrolled in the course.
Hearing and Dizziness Center
Santo Tomas University Hospital
One of only ten fully accredited centers of the International Federation of Otolaryngological Societies - International Society of Audiology - Global Prevention of Hearing Impairment Worldwide.
Hearing and Balance Disorders Laboratory
St. Lukes Medical Center
The Center boasts of a complete array of equipments for evaluating hearing and balance, including a Computerized Dynamic Posturography.
Master in Clinical Audiology
Department of Otorhinolaryngology
Norberto V. Martinez, M.D.
Chair, Department of Otorhinolaryngology
Ma. Cristina Lopez, M.D.
Secretary, Department of Otorhinolaryngology
Master in Clinical Audiology
Section of Audiology/ Center for Audiological Sciences
Norberto V. Martinez M.D.
Course Director, M.S. Clinical Audiolody Program
Ma. Cristina Lopez, M.D.
Assistant Course Director, Department of Otorhinolaryngology
Faculty Staff
Norberto Martinez, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology,
University of Santo Tomas
Head, Hearing and dizziness Center, STUH & Hearing and balance Disorders
Laboratory, SLMC
Philip Newall, M.Sc.Aud.
Visiting Professor, University of Santo Tomas
Associate Professor, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Mary Anne Sunga – Vargas, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, University of Santo Tomas
Ma. Cristina Lopez, M.D.
Instructor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Santo Tomas
Assistant Head. Stuh Hearing and Dizziness Center
Kin-Kwok Dennis Au, Ph.D.
Guest Lecturer, University of Santo Tomas
Assistant Professor, University of Hong Kong, PROC
Douglas Clutton, M.Sc.Aud.
Guest Lecturer, University of Santo Tomas
Audiologist, Canada
Lea Labrador, M.Ed.
Guest Lecturer, University of Santo Tomas