What is Audiology?

Audiology is a challenging and expanding field of clinical science and technology, involving the study of hearing and balance. As a healthcare profession, audiology also involves assessment, management and therapeutic rehabilitation of people with hearing and balance problems and associated disorders.  This includes patients of all ages from newborns and children through to working adults and the elderly.

Audiologists work in the NHS and employment opportunities are also available in the private sector.

Qualities of an Audiologist

• Ability to communicate well with all types of people
• Good problem solving skills
• A scientific educational background
• Ability to work as part of a team
• A caring and understanding attitude
• Good manual dexterity
• Analytical skills

British Academy Of Audiology Guidance On Audiology Careers Spring 2011
Careers guidance is complicated at the moment with the implementation of Modernising Scientific Careers. Please visit the Department of Health website for more information and updates on MSC.

1. I am interested in a career in audiology and want to know what undergraduate
university courses I can do.

• The current four year BSc (Hons) Audiology will be replaced by a three year degree (practitioner training programme) in Neurosensory Sciences. Audiology is one of the pathways within this. The programme combines and integrates both academic and workbased learning. Within the first year it is expected that the work-based learning provides a broad experience with short ‘tasters’ in the specialisms (Audiology, Neurophysiology and Opthalmic & Vision Science). This will give you a wide appreciation of the specialisms anda more holistic view of the areas which contribute to high-quality care. At the end of the programme you will be able to carry out the role of a Healthcare Science Practitioner in Audiology.
• This programme will be available from autumn 2011. Currently it is likely to be offered by De Montfort, Southampton & Sunderland.
• The 4 year BSc (Hons) Audiology programme will be offered for the last time in autumn 2011 by Manchester, Leeds, Swansea and University College, London.
• For details of universities please visit the UCAS website

2. I am currently a first year studying a science subject and was wondering what route
would be best to undertake after my degree? I am very interested in becoming an
audiological scientist.

• Graduates with a first science degree (2:1 or above) will be able to apply to the Scientist Training Programme. This will mean that you will be employed by an audiology department which will then arrange your clinical training for you. You will also enrol on a 3-year, parttime Masters in Neurosensory Sciences. The programme combines and integrates the generic learning across Healthcare Science as well as the three specialisms in neurosensory science (Audiology, Neurophysiology, Ophthalmic and Vision Science). It is not yet clear which Universities will be offering this programme as the tendering process to provide them has just started.

• When you have finished the PTP you will be able to register to work as an audiologist in the NHS.
• When you have finished the STP you will be able to register to work as a clinical scientist in audiology in the NHS.
• A new regulatory body is currently being created which will manage registration