BSL level 3 in an Audiological Scientist

[sbant]

I've just finished BSL Advanced Skills (post level 2) and am pretty sure I'll continue to Level 3 (or possibly NVQ3) next year. The only concern that is making me hesitate is being realistic about opportunities for its use and keeping up my skills within Audiology.

1. Do you have BSL level 3 (or NVQ3) or work with/know of any Audiologists/Clinical Scientists that do?

2. Do you have any views on the use of BSL within Audiology?

(Not sure of the best place for this topic, hope it doesn't get lost here!!)

[mancie]

At manchester university the BSC audiology course contains a brief introduction to BSL, this is in fact a pre-level 1 course. It is very basic. I don't think that any of the other BSC courses include this. So, all the Manchester graduates know a little bit of BSL. I don't think this unit is included in the MSC, not sure on this though. So the MSC people doing the CAC to become audiological scientists won't have done this.

I personally really enjoyed learning the little bit of BSL we did do. However, I don't know of any other audiologists who actually need to regularly use BSL in their job.

I haven't been working as an audiologist for very long (I'm only part time as I'm doing research at the moment), I mainly do adult work and unfortunately I have already forgotten a lot of the limited BSL I knew because there simply hasn't really been the need to use it in my job. I can think of only two occasions where I did need BSL for adult hearing aid users coming into a repair clinic. The limited BSL that I did remember did help a little.

I personally don't think that there is much opportunity to use BSL in normal adult or paediatric NHS audiology services. If there is a patient or carer who does need BSL, an interpreter can be booked. I don't know any other audiologists or audiological scientists who have full BSL.

I would love study BSL more but I haven't due to the fact I don't have time right now, and I suspect I wouldn't use it enough to retain the language.

[incus]

Agree with Mancie. Having worked in NHS audiology, both adult and paediatric for 20 years, there are few opportunities to use BSL. I found I rapidly forgot the BSL i learnt on the introductory course although it was still helpful having the odd word or phrase for the children who did sign. But signing adults are rare in hearing aid depts!

[sbant]

It would be interesting to hear the viewpoint of those that set the BSc/MSc curriculum, do we know that BSL awareness is all we need within the profession. There was talk about adding level 1 into Medical training, wonder what happened with that.

Talking to people in the Deaf community, there is some dislike/distrust of using interpreters for hospital appointments, and I have had overwhelmingly positive responses about the possibility of a level 3 audiologist. I just wonder whether the patients would materialise or not. It just strikes me as an unmet need, but how to audit it...?

[VickiK]

Agree that there are very few signing adults in attendance at adult audiology clinics although you will meet more in paediatrics - depends where you want to specialise? I did level 1 10 years ago - was working in a paediatric cochlear implant team at the time and it was very useful. However, you do need to practice regularly to keep up the skills and although not brilliant then, I am VERY poor now!

NHSP carried out a consultation with deaf children across London last year about their views of their audiology clinics. One of the priorites that they identified was having audiologists that could communicate with them (and for the group of signers that included BSL). NHSP will give you a copy of the DVD if you're interested.

Sometimes I think we're guilty of feeling we don't need to do something because we have interpreters, or because we primarily communicate with the parents. In someway I think we sometimes feel a bit of a failure if signing is used as it suggests our hearing aids and services aren't good enough. I think government policy and other recent developments will encourage us to further communicate directly with patients (eg using bilingual staff, emphasis on involving children in their own care). sbant - you might not get to use it much at work, but if you enjoy it and get the chance to practice at other times then you're probably a pioneer -keep up the good work!!

Vicki

[pmf @]

I know this is an old post but I thought I would bring it up again!
I am coming to the end of my 3rd year placement of the BSc and even in just a year I have had quite a few cases where I thought it would be beneficial to sign. The majority of these were on repairs, in one case I couldn't communicate at all with the patient. Someone with very basic BSL was able to explain that he would need an appointment with an interpretor which helped out a lot!
Even in the cases where there has been a member of family/professional interpreting I still feel it would be polite to be able to sign and introduce myself etc but leave the technical parts to the interpretor.
I am looking at starting BSL level 1. I'm sure that it does go rusty without much use but I feel I need the basics at least. Do any audiology departments sponsor their staff to do the courses or is it all self funded?

[Omsafiaa]

I've recently complete BSL 1 having felt very embarrassed every time a signing patient came into the department and I was completely unable to communicate with them.
I don't feel my skills are great but I have already had good responses from signing patients and families and I use it more often than I would have expected.

I think it's very important all Audiologists can at least do some basic signing. There's not a lot to learn if you keep it specific to the job we do. Perhaps we need a directory of those sorts of specialist signs we might use.

As far as I understand some departments do fund their audiologists to do the course, also education services might be a possiblility as they seem to have more contact with sign users than perhaps we do. Ask your ToD. I have also heard of clubs etc. set up by education which would be a good thing to attend to keep your skills going.

[johnjwaters @]

I'm trying to drum up a bit of enthusiasm on my course at Southampton (post grad dip) at the moment for BSL but I don't think people are that interested, for any of the various reasons posted above.

I'm quite a big fan of languages though and will be heading along to at least the taster sessions run in Southampton, if not the full one if they manage to put it on at a time that isn't Friday mornings.

[AudOz]

I know in 4th year at Edinburgh we can take BSL level 1 as an optional course. I learnt some Auslan (australian sign language) which is almost identicle to BSL and it has been very well recieved. Like others have said, having some basic skills would be great for audiologists.

I think it would be much appreciated by signing patients, meeting other signers is rare, so who better to sign hello than your audiologist!! Having Level 3 would be tough because of the limited times you would get to practise - but any signing, no matter how basic, would be a positive step.

[johnjwaters @]

I've just started BSL 1 in Basingstoke and despite it being a bit steep, It's proving very enjoyable. It's fairly intuitive too, due to all the hand waving I imagine.

[ssaeed]

I work in all fields of Audiology including Cochlear Implants and have found my BSL qualifications (I am halfway through level 2) really useful. Not only when a patient is a BSL user, but also just for better Deaf awareness and to improve communication tactics.

I have several patients who are signers and although I am comfortable having a conversation with them I will always insist on an interpretor being present (even when the patient's themselves don't feel it is neccessary) because in a clinical setting it is essential that patient's fully understand the process to give true informed consent to treatments. I don't think it is appropriate to see patient's without an interpretor unless you are qualified to that level yourself.

It is difficult to keep up practice in work because there are few patients who are BSL users, but if you enjoy it then there are many Deaf clubs who welcome hearing signers.

[AcousticS]

That's what I can confirm. 5 years ago I started in the Deaf Center in Frankfurt, the sign language (DGS) to learn. Unfortunately, it is with us of course in Germany not to be understood deaf patients. If not in our profession, where else? I am interested in the deaf movement.

Dr. Peddy ledd is very active. (Subject: "Audism" and "Deafhood")

Link:
http://www.grumpyoldeafies.com/2007/...addy_ladd.html

Among other things engergiert to McDonald´s with the formation of many branches. Their staff are encouraged to learn sign language.

Link:
http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/MCDONALD'S/262/1

I completed my civil service time in the Deaf School in Frankfurt. I am still of the opinion that should be offered in addition to the rehabilitation of CI-Makers also sign language gesture, at least accompanying spoken (LBG). Not either spoken or sign language, but both. There are still many barriers to overcome.

[Karen]

I am a student Audiologist coming to the end of my fourth year, and I learn't sign language prior to doing Audiology and currently hold my BSL level 3.

I was very suprised when attending for interviews for the Audiology course, that all picked up on my sign language, and several suggested that I would never use it.

Despite this, I have to say that it has come in very useful especially during my placement year, although it wasn't used regulary, patients appreciated the effort that you were able to communicate with them.

The hospital where I was based encourages all staff to do level 1 BSL as part of their CPD, and I think they pay part if not all of the cost.

Prior to starting in Audiology, I worked with the Deaf community for 5 years and audiologists tend to have a bad reputation amongst them. However, all of them said how good it would be to have an audiologist that could sign.

Whilst I would always advocate the use of an interpreter in an appointment to ensure all the information is correct, it is nice to be able to comunicate with your client group to show that you are making the effort.

[AcousticS]

My opinion is.
Our profession deals with deaf people.
if not we be understanding. who should do it otherwise?
Deaf people have the right to optimal treatment in the clinic.
Of course I am for an interpreter. Basic knowledge of sign language, we should be able to.
This should be nurtured in schools for the deaf more. Already in the study for prospective teachers.