Student Perceptions of Learning Clinical Masking in Audiology: An Exploratory Survey Study.

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Hearing Science

Background:

• Clinical masking is a critical skill in audiology.
• Despite extensive literature, learning clinical masking is perceived as difficult by students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the learning experiences of audiology doctoral students and recent graduates regarding clinical masking.
• To identify challenges and effective strategies in learning clinical masking.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey design.
• Involved doctor of audiology (AuD) students and recent graduates.
• Analyzed 424 survey responses, including qualitative data.

Main Results:

• Most respondents found learning clinical masking challenging and effortful.
• Confidence development typically took over six months.
• Key themes included negative classroom experiences, inconsistent teaching, and a focus on rules.

Conclusions:

• Clinical masking is perceived as difficult to learn, influenced by teaching methods.
• Overemphasis on formulas and varied clinical approaches hindered learning.
• Practical experiences like clinic work, simulations, and independent practice enhanced skill acquisition.