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Audiology is a physiological health care science involving the study of the auditory system. It involves specialised knowledge, skills, and technology which enable practitioners to conduct hearing tests and assessments, and prescribe management and treatment options, such as hearing aids, or referral to doctors who specialise in audio-vestibular medicine. Audiology services are provided in hospitals and in private or community clinics. These services are available to people of all ages and seek to improve and maintain hearing, communication, and balance. Audiology is considered a Neurosensory science and a healthcare science. Occupations in Audiology include: new-born hearing screener, hearing aid audiologist, and other senior healthcare science practitioner and clinical scientist roles.

Audiology Jobs

Audiologists specialise in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of hearing defects and ear-related disorders. They conduct hearing tests, assess auditory conditions, and provide advice and services which prevent, manage and rehabilitate hearing loss. They work with a range of patients, from new-borns to the elderly. Audiologists can work as Hearing Aid Dispensers and prescribe, fit and repair hearing aids and other devices. They can identify complex conditions which require referral for further treatment and care. Audiologists/Hearing Aid Dispensers work in hospital departments, and in private and community clinics. In hospitals they work in multi-disciplinary teams with other healthcare staff, including science practitioners and clinical scientists, healthcare assistants, and nurses and doctors who specialise in audio-vestibular medicine. Audiologists (Hearing Aid Dispensers) have undertaken, either via university or via an on-the-job apprenticeship or training program such as the NHS Practitioner Training Programme (PTP), a BSc (with Honours) degree in Healthcare Science (Audiology) or a related science field. They are registered with the HSPC.

New-born Hearing Screeners work in neonatal units and postnatal wards in hospitals and maternity and child health clinics. They use specialised equipment and technology to assess the hearing of new-born babies. They clean, maintain, and test audiology equipment, they accurately record results using computer systems and forward these to appropriate healthcare staff. They have direct contact with babies and their parents, providing reassurance and explaining procedures and results. They work in multidisciplinary teams with healthcare scientists, neonatal nurses, GPs and other health and medical staff. There are no set entry requirements for new-born hearing screeners.