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Career as an audiologist

When you are looking for information on a career as an Audiologist it is very confusing because we are known by many different titles such as: Physiological Measurement Technician (PMT), Medical Technical Officer (MTO), and Clinical Physiologist. We prefer the name Audiologist because we work with people and not just machines.

Our role overlaps and has areas of common ground with other professionals in Audiology such as Audiological Scientists, Hearing Therapists and Hearing Aid Dispensers. Our professional bodies are currently discussing a merger. The similarities in our jobs have also led to a new BSc Honours Degree in Audiology being offered by several Universities.

Where Do Audiologists Work?

Audiologists mainly work in the NHS usually in hospitals or community clinics. There are a small number of audiologists in private practice and the armed forces.

What Do Audiologists Do?

We work as part of a team, which may include other professionals such as Ear Nose and Throat Specialists, Hearing Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists.

Not all grades of Audiologists have the same level of responsibility. Higher grade Audiologists may take referrals directly from GP’s or do the more complex work and difficult cases.

We work directly with patients of all ages and abilities; technology is so sophisticated we can test the hearing of newborn babies who are a few hours old. Audiologists work with babies, children, adults and elderly people to identify and measure hearing loss, detect balance problems and neurological diseases.

If a problem is detected which needs rehabilitation, we work very closely with patients to develop a rehabilitation plan. This plan needs to modified and adapted to meet the needs of the person through different stages of their life. Patients who attend as small babies for rehabilitation are often still attending when they are grown up with families of their own!

Salary

The audiology grades are grade 1 to grade 5 To gain promotion as an Audiologist you will have to continue to study and gain qualifications. As the government are providing funds to help modernise the audiology profession there are many job opportunities throughout the country. The pay and conditions of service are also under review but as a newly qualified audiologist you will expect a salary of £12,000 while a grade 5 will expect £30,000

Honours Degree

The degree that is now offered by several universities will give you a broad understanding of audiological principles, theory and knowledge and equip you with the skill to practice. In addition to the university lectures and seminars there are several supervised placements arranged in audiology clinics. The whole of year three will be spent in a clinic.

The government are helping us by providing funding to meet the course fees of a large number of applicants. Students may also be eligible to apply for a bursary to meet living expenses PLUS there is a £10,000 (approx.) salary for the year three placement.

Entry Qualifications

You will need good GCSE results plus good passes at A level (or equivalent) in science subjects, such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Psychology.

As the University requirements do vary visit the Universities and Colleges Admission Service website www.ucas.ac.uk for the latest information.

If you have any queries contact:

Janet Evans, Publicity Officer, British Association of Audiologist’s, Audiology Department, Neath Port Talbot Hospital, Baglan Way, Port Talbot, SA12 7BX   Send to a friend

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