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Audiologist

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Primary Secondary Post-16

Audiologists are healthcare professionals who specialise in identifying, diagnosing, and treating hearing and balance disorders. In the UK, most audiologists work within the NHS, although there are also roles in private practice, research, and education. Day-to-day tasks include conducting hearing tests, fitting and adjusting hearing aids, counselling patients, and working with people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. Audiologists often collaborate with other medical professionals, such as ENT doctors and speech therapists, to support patients' overall well-being. This rewarding career requires excellent communication skills, empathy, and a strong foundation in science.

Audiologist

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📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Audiologists in the UK typically earn between £28,000 and £43,000 per year within the NHS, with experienced specialists earning higher salaries.

Job Availability

There are approximately 2,000 registered audiologists in the UK, with opportunities in both the NHS and private sector.

Projected Job Growth

The demand for audiologists is expected to grow by 7 percent over the next five years due to an ageing population and increased awareness of hearing health.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Paediatric Audiologist

Works specifically with children to assess and manage hearing and balance issues, often collaborating with schools and families.

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Hearing Aid Dispenser

Specialises in assessing hearing loss and fitting hearing aids for clients, providing advice and ongoing support.

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Clinical Audiologist in Cochlear Implants

Focuses on assessing patients for cochlear implants, fitting the devices, and providing rehabilitation support for implant users.

Complete Relevant Education

Achieve GCSEs and A Levels

Obtain good GCSEs, especially in science subjects, and A Levels (or equivalent qualifications), focusing on biology or related sciences.

To pursue a career in audiology, you should aim for strong grades in your GCSEs, particularly in science, maths, and English. At A Level, biology is often required or strongly recommended, and other science subjects are helpful. Some universities may also accept BTEC qualifications in relevant subjects.

Obtain a Degree in Audiology

Apply for and complete an approved university degree in audiology or a healthcare science degree specialising in audiology.

Most audiologists in the UK complete a BSc (Hons) in Healthcare Science (Audiology) or an equivalent degree accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS) or the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Courses typically last three or four years and include both academic study and practical placements.

Gain Practical Experience

Complete Clinical Placements

Undertake clinical placements as part of your degree to gain hands-on experience working with patients and using audiology equipment.

Clinical placements are a key part of audiology degrees, allowing you to apply your academic knowledge in real healthcare settings. You will learn how to perform hearing tests, fit hearing aids, and support patients. These placements also help you develop communication and problem-solving skills essential for the role.

Apply for NHS Practitioner Training

Consider applying for the NHS Practitioner Training Programme (PTP), which offers structured training in audiology.

The NHS Practitioner Training Programme is a three-year programme combining academic study with practical training in NHS hospitals. This pathway is ideal for those seeking to work in the NHS and leads to registration with the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS).

Become a Registered Audiologist

Register with Professional Bodies

Register with the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) or the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to practise as an audiologist.

After completing your degree and practical training, you must register with a professional body to work as an audiologist in the UK. This ensures you meet national standards for safe and effective practice. Registration also allows you to use the protected title 'Audiologist' and access further career development opportunities.

Apply for Audiologist Positions

Search for and apply to audiologist jobs in the NHS, private clinics, or research settings.

Audiologists can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community clinics, private practices, and academic or research institutions. You may choose to specialise in certain areas, such as paediatric audiology or balance disorders, as you gain experience.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Audiologist. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

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Career Progressions

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Sample Qualifications

How to become

You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.

University

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

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Apprenticeship

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

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Work

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.

Volunteering

You'll find it helpful to get some voluntary experience in healthcare before you apply for a course.

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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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