Due to a shortage of audiologists in the NHS the Department of Health is funding a new degree in Audiology at Bristol University to increase the number of clinicians entering the profession.

            The four-year BSc will equip students with the necessary interpersonal skills, together with scientific, medical and clinical knowledge to become a registered Audiologist.  Once qualified they will work with people affected by hearing or balance problems, enabling them to participate fully and be integrated into society.

Based within the University’s new Centre for Hearing and Balance Studies, the course offers a multidisciplinary approach to the teaching of Audiology.

Students will develop practical skills in assessing and providing non-medical treatments for hearing loss including hearing aid provision and the teaching of communication skills.

The degree is unique in that it builds on the foundations of the Diploma in Hearing Therapy, which was previously taught at the University.

Disability studies, attitudes and attitude change, social policy issues, discrimination, sociology, health psychology, Deaf studies and rehabilitation will all be incorporated into this interdisciplinary degree, in addition to the science-based units covering physiology, the physics of sound and hearing aids.

 Marian Hoyle, Programme Director, said: ‘Hearing loss affects one in seven people, this impacts on working lives, social lives and all aspects of day-to-day communication. 

‘Students graduating with a degree in Audiology will be the professionals who are concerned with the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of hearing and hearing-related difficulties.  We hope that the students graduating from Bristol will make a significant contribution in alleviating the national shortage of Audiologists, and more particularly across the south west.’

            Further details about the new programme can be found at www.bris.ac.uk/audiology