The National Diploma in Primary Ear Care for Practitioners

This is the diploma level course for registered health care professionals. It aims to equip health care professionals with the knowledge and clinical skills to enable them to provide holistic care for patients with a variety of ear problems.

The course is taught in small groups over 5 consecutive days (Monday – Friday) either on a residential or non-residential basis. Please note travel and accommodation is to be arranged by the participant and is not included in the course costs. Details of local accommodation are available on request.

On completion of the course attendees will have:

• An understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the ear
• The ability to take and record an aural history
• Examine the external ear and tympanic membrane using the otoscope
• The knowledge to recognise the ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ anatomy and physiology of the ear
• A foundation of knowledge on which to base practical aural toilet, ear instrumentation, irrigation and microsuction
• An understanding of ear infections including otitis externa, otitis media and cholesteatoma, and the knowledge to select the most appropriate treatment
• An understanding of tinnitus, vertigo, menieres disease, otosclerosis and acoustic neuroma
• The knowledge to differentiate between the different types of hearing loss; including the ability to carry out, record and understand the results of: screening audiometry, tuning fork test and tympanometry
• An understanding of surgical ear procedures including mastoidectomy, insertion of grommets, tympanoplasty and stapedectomy 

Knowledge assessed on day five of the course by:

• Completing a written assessment (60% pass rate)
• Completing a OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination)

Following the course attendees are given a three months’ period to complete/ achieve the following:

• A 3000 word assignment
• An ear care diary of 20-30 patients
• Fulfil all clinical competences

Please note the programme of Clinical Competencies which are expected to be achieved are listed below:

• Otoscopy
• Instrumentation
• Irrigation or Microsuction or both  
• Aural toilet
• Application of topical treatment; using a Jobson Horne Probe and cotton wool and insertion of a dressing impregnated with appropriate topical treatment
• Tuning fork and screening audiometry

Prior to attending the course, you must identify a mentor who will be able to oversee your work and sign to say that you have successfully completed all the competencies required.

Please note a certificate of completion will only be issued after submitted work has been assessed and graded, work can take up to three months to be marked. 

Price:

£975.00 per person (includes lunches)

 Forthcoming Dates:

October 30th - November 3rd, 2023 - FULL

December 4th - 8th, 2023 - FULL

January 8th - 12th, 2024 -  FULL

February 5th - 9th, 2024 

What to do now:

If you would like to apply to attend the Diploma Course, please complete an online application form. Ear Care and Audiology Course Booking Form (microsoft.com)

We aim to process applications within 5 working days however, this can vary during busy periods. Following your application, you will receive an email containing your booking confirmation and further course details. 

If you have any queries please contact us on the following details:

Email: rgh-tr.earcaretraining@nhs.net

Phone:  01709 423140

We look forward to seeing you here in Rotherham, safe and well, in the very near future

Testimonials

“An excellent, informative, mind-blowing course, which has definitely changed both my outlook on PEOPLE with ear problems, but will also change the way in which I will practice in future – and lead to safe practice for others”

“Great – it made me realise how much I could improve my service to my patients”

“…can’t believe I’ve been practising so badly for years”

“…did not realise how much I did not know”