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Audiologist

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Primary Secondary Post-16

An audiologist is a healthcare professional specialising in identifying, diagnosing, treating, and managing issues related to hearing and balance. Working primarily within the NHS but also in private clinics, audiologists conduct hearing tests, fit hearing aids, and provide rehabilitation for people with hearing loss or balance disorders. They work with patients of all ages, from newborn babies to older adults, and often collaborate with other healthcare professionals such as ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctors. The job involves a mix of technical skills, patient care, and problem-solving. Audiologists also play a key role in advising families and supporting patients to manage their conditions effectively.

Audiologist

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📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Audiologists in the UK typically earn between £31,000 and £47,000 per year, depending on experience and location.

Job Vacancies

There are approximately 2,000 practising audiologists in the UK, with demand expected to grow due to the ageing population.

Typical Working Hours

Audiologists usually work standard Monday to Friday hours, around 37.5 hours per week, especially within the NHS.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Paediatric Audiologist

Specialises in diagnosing and managing hearing and balance disorders in children, working closely with families and education professionals.

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Hearing Aid Dispenser

Focuses on assessing hearing loss and fitting hearing aids for adults, often working in private clinics or retail settings.

Clinical Scientist in Audiology

Works in hospitals to carry out advanced hearing assessments, research, and develop new treatments for complex hearing and balance problems.

Achieve Academic Qualifications

Study Science Subjects at School

Focus on science subjects such as biology, physics, and chemistry at GCSE and A-level (or equivalent).

Audiology is based on a good understanding of science, particularly biology and physics. Achieving strong grades in these subjects at GCSE and A-level will help you meet entry requirements for relevant university courses. Maths is also helpful for the analytical aspects of the job.

Complete a Relevant Degree

Apply for and complete an approved degree in audiology or healthcare science (audiology) at university.

In the UK, you need a degree in audiology or a healthcare science degree specialising in audiology, which typically takes 3 to 4 years. These programmes combine academic study with practical clinical placements where you gain hands-on experience with patients.

Gain Practical Experience

Complete Clinical Placements

Engage in practical placements as part of your degree to gain experience working with patients and equipment.

Placements are a crucial part of audiology degrees. They allow you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings such as NHS hospitals or private clinics, helping you build confidence and develop skills in patient care and technical assessments.

Register with a Professional Body

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

Registration is legally required for practising audiologists in the NHS and many private settings. It demonstrates your competence and commitment to professional standards. You may also join the British Academy of Audiology for further professional development.

Start and Develop Your Career

Apply for Audiologist Positions

Look for entry-level audiologist roles in NHS hospitals, private clinics, or community healthcare services.

Most audiologists start their careers in the NHS, but there are also opportunities in the private sector, with hearing aid suppliers, or in research and teaching. Be prepared for interviews and to discuss your clinical experiences from placements.

Continue Professional Development

Take part in further training, courses, or pursue a master's degree to advance your skills and career prospects.

Audiology is a rapidly developing field. Continuing professional development (CPD) is important for keeping up with new technology and treatment methods. You may specialise further, move into management, teaching, or research roles, or become a consultant audiologist.

🎯 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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