How to become an Audiologist

How to become an Audiologist Not sure whether becoming an Audiologist is your true calling? Depends what  youve  heard…Audiologists treat patients who have issues with their hearing or balance, specialising in identifying and diagnosing a range of problems which affect the ears.The work they do is absolutely vital in improving the quality of life of patients of all ages, ensuring that people arent limited to living in a world without hearing. Aside from general audiology, Audiologists may specialise in a particular area of the field, such as implants, paediatrics or auditory rehabilitation.So whether it’s fitting hearing aids, installing assistive listening devices, or simply providing advice for someone suffering from hearing loss, it’s all in a day’s work for a good Audiologist.Typical day-to-day duties for an Audiologist may include:Examining patients to evaluate their conditionAdministering tests to assess their level of hearingExamining ears for any physical abnormalitiesDiagnosing problemsProducing moulds and fitting patients with hearing aids or cochlear implantsPrescribing speech or physical therapy to help alleviate hearing difficultiesGiving counselling to patients with severe hearing loss, and helping with lip readingIs it right for me?In order to become an Audiologist, you’ll need a keen interest in science and technology, not to mention excellent interpersonal skills.You’ll often be working with patients who significantly struggle with their hearing, and your ability to communicate with them clearly and efficiently will similarly be key to your success.Finally, getting your point across won’t always be an easy job. Being able to put your patients at ease, without the need to repeat yourself or make them feel uncomfortable, is of paramount importance. Patience will also be a virtue in this professionOther key skills for an Audiologist include:Excellent attention to detailA caring and sensitive bedside mannerTactEmpathyProblem solving skillsCounselling skillsThe ab ility to motivate despondent patientsCareer Progression Trainee AudiologistUp to £20,000 AudiologistUp to £30,000 Team ManagerUp to £40,000What's it really like? It’s easy to overlook just how scary it is for someone to lose their hearing. Working as an Audiologist, I get to help incredibly isolated and frustrated individuals get back to some sense of normality. It isn’t always easy, especially if their hearing is so severely affected that all I can do is provide them with ongoing support. But there are so many technological advancements in audiology happening all the time, which means more people are being treated than ever before. If the work I do helps even a few people get their lives back on track and not feel so alone, it makes it all worthwhile. Get qualifiedYou won’t necessarily need a degree in order to become an Audiologist. However, you will generally need five GCSEs A-C (including Maths, Science and English), as well as three A-levels (one in science), to qual ify for an NHS training programme.