Audiological scientist : Job description

Audiological scientists assess, diagnose and manage patients who have hearing, balance and tinnitus problems. They administer and interpret diagnostic tests to patients. They may also be called clinical scientists (audiology).

They have a direct clinical role working with patients, who are often very young children or elderly people. The job gives the opportunity to combine direct patient care and academic training with research activity.

Once a trainee audiological scientist has undergone a period of on-the-job training and passed a formal assessment, they are able to register with the Association of Clinical Scientists (ACS) and with the Health Professions Council (HPC) to practise as an audiological scientist.

Many audiological scientists develop clinical expertise in a specific area of audiology, such as:

• paediatrics;
• balance (vestibular) disorders;
• complex procedures and devices, such as cochlear and brain stem implants or bone-anchored hearing aids;
• working with non-routine caseloads (e.g. patients with multi-sensory impairment).

Typical work activities

Typical work activities include:

• administering auditory tests for babies, children and adults;
• interpreting and reporting on test results;
• developing and improving test techniques;
• communicating with a wide variety of patients;
• advising on the selection, fitting and evaluation of hearing aids;
• researching new advances in hearing aid technology, such as digital hearing aids;
• testing and maintaining implanted devices, such as cochlear implants;
• operating audiometric equipment;
• conducting research into disorders affecting hearing and balance;
• teaching and training other healthcare professionals;
• managing audiology services, including monitoring and improving the quality of service provided;
• supervising support staff.

The post involves working as part of a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including:

• ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeons and other hospital specialists, such as neurologists;
• speech and language therapists;
• physiotherapists;
• educational audiologists;
• paediatricians;
• teachers of hearing impaired people.