1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Audiologist

Audiologist

Alternative titles for this job include

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

Average salary (a year)

£27,055 Starter

to

£47,672 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 an audiologist

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

University

You'll need to complete the NHS Practitioner Training Programme 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 in the private sector, you'll need to do an audiology 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.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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 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

Volunteering

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

You could also get advice from the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust.

More Information

Registration

Professional and industry bodies

You could register with The Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists for professional development and networking opportunities.

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
  • knowledge of psychology
  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

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

In this role you could:

  • decide on the best way to test a patient's hearing
  • check hearing and adapt tests to suit the patient's age and ability
  • look into any related medical, physical or emotional symptoms patients have
  • fit, test or repair hearing aids
  • provide ongoing support and aftercare to patients

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 balance rehabilitation, cochlear implants, working with deafblind people or assisting people with learning disabilities
  • lead a team, manage a unit or move into a general management position in healthcare
  • 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

Hearing Aid Dispenser Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £10,296.00 Annually
  • Location: Birmingham
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Access to HE: Health Science Professions

  • Provider: HULL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 06 September 2023
  • Location: Hull

Access to HE Diploma: Health Science

  • Provider: UNIVERSITY OF DERBY
  • Start date: 05 September 2023
  • Location: Derby
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturday and bank holidays

We're closed Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.