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Audiologist

Alternative titles for this job include

Audiologists and hearing aid dispensers work with children and adults who have hearing loss, tinnitus, or problems with balance.

Average salary (a year)

£28,000 Starter

to

£65,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Audiologist

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

More Information

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

More Information

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 experience in healthcare before you apply for a course.

More Information

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:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

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:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

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

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

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

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for an Audiologist right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Access to HE: Health Science Professions

  • Provider: HULL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Hull

Access to Health Science Professions – Online

  • Provider: BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 December 2024
  • Location: Not known
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