Audiologist

Audiologists are healthcare scientists who assess, diagnose and rehabilitate patients with hearing, balance and tinnitus problems. Their job activities are similar to audio logical scientists and clinical scientists (audiology) although they do not generally get involved with the research, development and management aspects of the role.

Typical work activities include: administering auditory tests on children over six years and on adults, the rehabilitation of patients, including counseling them and advising them on wearing hearing aids and hearing tactics, tinnitus counseling and rehabilitation, advising on the selection, fitting and evaluation of hearing aids, repairing and maintaining hearing aids, operating audiometric equipment.

For some activities, audiologists act in an assistant role to audiological scientists and clinical scientists (audiology), e.g. when administering hearing tests to babies and balance disorders (these tests typically require two people to perform). They may work in an audiology department alongside audiological scientists or in departments staffed by audiologists only.

Most audiologists are employed by the NHS, although there are opportunities in private hospitals and locum work is often available, usually via agencies. There are opportunities in the private sector; working for companies such as Boots and Specs avers dispensing hearing aids (some degree courses include registration with the Hearing Aid Council that allows this).

The audiology profession has undergone many changes to its career, training and funding structures. Its new Higher Training Scheme introduced a Higher Award in Audiology; IT will allow audiologists to eventually progress to clinical scientist (audiology) status.