Audiologists identify and assess hearing and balance disorders and recommend and provide appropriate help. The work involves administering, selecting, interpreting and reporting diagnostic tests for those suffering from hearing loss, balance or other hearing-related disorders.
The work combines scientific, technical and clinical aspects with rehabilitation skills.
Some undertake a wide range of audiology work, while many specialise in working with either adults or children.
Paediatric work involves:
- screening the hearing of newborn babies
- assessing and rehabilitating children with hearing loss
- fitting hearing aids and related devices, such as cochlear implants, which are used to improve hearing abilities by electrically stimulating the auditory nerve.
Adult rehabilitation involves:
- assessing and managing people with long-term hearing loss and hearing- or balance-related disorders and helping people to live with such conditions which may include advice on lip-reading, communication skills and information on equipment
- fitting hearing devices and related technologies
- using counselling skills and advice to follow up patients and ensure they get the greatest benefit from hearing aids
- liaising with social services, charities and voluntary organisations that help people with hearing impairments.
Some audiologists specialise in helping people whose balance has been affected or who have tinnitus (a constant ringing in the ear). Others choose to work with people who have physical, sensory or learning disabilities.
Audiologists keep patient records. They work as independent practitioners or as part of a team of healthcare professionals. They may also provide training and give talks on understanding hearing loss.
Hours and environment
Audiologists usually work 37.5 hours a week, from Monday to Friday. There may be an on-call rota to cover evenings, weekends and holidays. Job share and part-time work are possible.
Most audiologists are based in hospitals. Some work in the community (visiting patients in their own homes), health centres, schools for children with special educational needs and residential care homes. Others work in universities, in teaching, research and clinical environments.
A driving licence may be useful for visiting patients.
Salary and other benefits
These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.
Newly qualified audiologists earn in the region of €30,000 to €39,000.senior audiologists earn in the region of €41,000 to €50,000.
Clinical specialist audiologists can earn in the region of €50,000 to €56,000.
Skills and personal qualities
Audiologists should:
- have a clear speaking voice
- have good speech patterns and a delivery style which enables patients to lip-read
- be able to get on well with people of all ages and from a wide variety of backgrounds
- be able to use counselling skills effectively
- have a caring and understanding attitude
- be sensitive to clients’ individual needs
- be able to work well in a team
- be able to give clear instructions
- be able to think logically and adopt a scientific approach
- have a practical approach to problem solving
- have good manual dexterity.
Interests
It is important to:
- enjoy working with people
- have an interest in science and anatomy.
Getting In
University College Cork offer a two year post graduate MSc in Audiology (CKX51)
There are a number of UK universities offering undergraduate degree courses in audiology and also a number of post graduate audiology courses.They are listed here on the British Academy of Audiology website.
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