Audiologist
Audiologists and hearing aid dispensers work with children and adults who have hearing loss, tinnitus, or problems with balance.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As an audiologist you could:
- see NHS and private clients in clinics, retail settings or in their own homes
- assess hearing using different tests
- fit, test or repair hearing aids
- advise on ear health and hygiene or remove ear wax
- keep customer records and administration up to date
Working environment
You could work in an NHS or private hospital or in a therapy clinic.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Career path and progression
With experience you could specialise in an area like:
- cochlear implants
- managing tinnitus
- working with deafblind people
- assisting people with learning disabilities
You could:
- lead a clinical team, manage a unit or move into a general management position in healthcare
- become a director of your own retail stores
- move into research or become a higher education lecturer at a university
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- customer service skills
- sensitivity and understanding
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- thinking and reasoning skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
- the ability to work well with others
- knowledge of English language
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
How to become
You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.
You can complete the NHS Practitioner Training Programme leading to a degree in healthcare science (audiology). This is a 3-year training scheme and includes a mix of on the job training and study.
To work as an audiologist or hearing aid dispenser in the private sector, you'll need to do an audiology or hearing aid dispensing foundation degree approved by the Health and Care Professions Council.
Postgraduate course
If you already have a science degree, you could join the postgraduate NHS Scientist Training Programme. This is a 3-year course in clinical science, specialising in neurosensory sciences.
You could study for the MSc in Audiology with the option to include a clinical placement depending on where you study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including a science, for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
You might be able to do a Hearing Aid Dispenser Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship usually takes 2 years to complete and is a mix of learning on the job and study. This will qualify you to work independently to test people's hearing and fit hearing aids.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
You could start as an audiology practitioner or a hearing care assistant and take further study to qualify as an audiologist or hearing aid dispenser.
You'll find it helpful to get some voluntary experience in healthcare before you apply for a course.
Professional and industry bodies
To keep up to date with developments in audiology or to find training, you could register with the British Academy of Audiology or the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists.
Further information
You can find out more about how to become an audiologist from:
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.