Audiologist

Audiologists test people’s hearing, finding and measuring hearing loss. They also test and assess patients for balance problems. They work closely with the patient, giving them advice and information to help them develop the skills they need to manage difficulties. Audiologists fit patients with hearing aids and give advice on a range of other devices.

Also known as:

Medical technical officer – audiology
Physiological measurement technician – audiology

Work activities

Audiologists test and measure people’s hearing, using specialist equipment such as audiometers. They use a range of tests. For some, the patient does not have to respond to a sound. For example, in a test for auditory brainstem response, the patient wears electrodes on their skin while equipment measures electrical activity from their auditory system. Apart from measuring any hearing loss, audiologists can also work out if the patient has a balance problem. They assess balance problems and can arrive at a diagnosis of neurological (nerve system) problems. Audiologists are involved in the assessment of ear-related balance problems. Audiologists work closely with their patients, often giving them long-term support and advice. They enable patients to cope with or overcome hearing loss, balance problems and conditions such as tinnitus.

If the patient needs a hearing aid or other device, audiologists will select and fit the one that best suits their needs. They will also give advice on how best to use it, and emotional support to help the patient come to terms with wearing it. Apart from working with patients, audiologists also look after, test and maintain the equipment. Audiologists work closely with a wide range of health, social care and education professionals, such as doctors, speech and language therapists and people in social services departments. Some audiologists specialise in work with children. For example, they diagnose babies that are born with permanent hearing loss. They support parents during this distressing time and work with a multi-disciplinary team to address the baby’s needs. Other audiologists specialise in the rehabilitation of adults. They plan and deliver an individual programme to increase the patient’s communication skills and independence. This programme could include hearing aid support, tinnitus management, counselling or balance re-training, depending on the patient’s needs.

Personal qualities and skills

To be an audiologist, you’ll need:

To enjoy working with people.
The ability to listen to patients as they describe their problems.
Empathy and a caring nature.
To be comfortable with speaking at a normal level but slightly slower pace, so patients can lip-read you.
Good planning and time-management skills.
Technical skills to use equipment.
Problem-solving skills.
Practical hand skills to work with small hearing aid parts.
An interest in science; analytical skills; and willingness to keep up to date with technology.

Pay and opportunities

NHS employees are paid on a rising scale within defined pay bands, according to their skills and responsibilities. Where audiologists start on the Agenda for Change payscale depends on what area of audiology they specialise in. However, newborn hearing screeners start on band 2, at £22,383. Healthcare science practitioners tend to start on band 5, earning £28,407. Trainee clinical scientists will start on band 6, at a pay rate of £35,392. Usually you will rise through the payscale with experience and seniority. Different pay levels are possible in the private sector. NHS pay rates are correct as of January 2024.

In the NHS, audiologists usually work a 37.5-hour week, Monday to Friday. Some work shifts on a rota basis. Part-time work might be available.

Employers include the NHS (in audiology units and schools or child assessment centres). There are limited opportunities in private healthcare companies and in industry (for example, carrying out hearing assessments). Opportunities for audiologists occur in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on the NHS Jobs website, in local/national newspapers and on job boards.

Entry routes and training

To become an audiologist, you could:

Take a three year training scheme known as the NHS Practitioner Training Programme, mixing work-based training and study.
Join the NHS Scientist Training Programme, if you have a science degree.
Undertake an apprenticeship. Options include healthcare science associate (level 4 / higher), hearing aid dispenser (level 5 / higher) or healthcare science practitioner (level 6 / degree).

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: This career is an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.

Qualifications

To get onto a degree programme, you’ll generally need:

Two to three A-levels, including at least one science subject/maths.
GCSEs at grades 9-4 in your A-level subjects.
A further two to three GCSEs (9-4), including English and maths.

Equivalent qualifications, such as Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 Nationals and the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

To get onto a higher or degree apprenticeship, you’ll need:

Two relevant A-levels.
GCSEs in English and maths.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Courses If you don’t have the qualifications you need to enter a degree in healthcare sciences: audiology, you might be able to start one after completing a college or university Access course, such as Access to Science. You don’t usually need any qualifications to start an Access course, although you should check this with the course provider.

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