Hearing Therapist

Description/Keywords:

Hearing therapist.

The work

You could be:

• explaining reasons for hearing loss to clients
• helping clients and their family to adjust to living with hearing loss
• introducing the client to methods of camouflaging the discomfort caused by tinnitus
• providing training in lip-reading or signing if appropriate
• advising about the operation of aids such as cochlear implants, hearing aids and loop systems
• advising on ear problems not directly related to loss of hearing such as vertigo, tinnitus, Meniere’s disease
• giving talks on aural rehabilitation to professional groups or the general public
• keeping records of treatment and progress of patients
• working with other professionals such as audiologists.

Conditions

• You could work in clinics, hospitals, health centres, residential homes, additional support needs schools, voluntary organisations or in patients’ homes.
• Working hours are normally regular but you might be on call in the evenings or at weekends.
• You might be able to work part time.

Getting in

• Most National Health Service (NHS) trusts prefer entrants to have a suitable qualification in audiology.
• There are currently no BSc degree courses in audiology available in Scotland.
• You would first take a relevant honours degree in a science subject such as maths, physics, biological sciences, psychology, linguistics, or speech-language therapy.
• Entry requirements for degree courses are normally 5 Highers including 2 from Maths, science subjects and Psychology. Some universities require Advanced Highers.
• You would then take either the postgraduate Masters (MSc) or Diploma (PgDip) course in Audiology or Rehabilitative Audiology at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. Check the website for course details.
• You will require a satisfactory PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) check to show that you are suitable for this type of work. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details.
• It helps if you have some experience with people with hearing problems or in teaching or working with older or disabled people.

This is a small profession and more entrants now have degrees in audiology. Most hearing therapists work in the NHS. A small number work for voluntary organisations.

What does it take

You should be:

• patient, dependable and adaptable
• interested in the science of hearing
• imaginative, to come up with new ways to help your patients
• good at solving problems
• practical and able to handle small pieces of equipment such as hearing aids
• able to teach and give instructions clearly
• friendly and sympathetic.

You should have clear speech patterns which are easy to lip-read.

Training

Training is normally on the job, with short courses to keep you up to date.

Addresses

British Academy of Audiology (BAA)
Association House South Park Road Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 6SH
Tel: 01625 504066
Email: admin@baaudiology.org
Website: http://www.baaudiology.org

Skills for Health
2nd Floor Goldsmiths House Broad Plain Bristol BS2 0JP
Tel: 0117 922 1155
Email: office@skillsforhealth.org.uk
Website: http://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/
Notes: Skills for Health is the Sector Skills Council for the health sector.