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Clinical scientist, audiology

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As a clinical scientist working in audiology, you'll play a key role in assessing, diagnosing and managing patients with hearing, balance and tinnitus problems

You'll carry out and interpret tests to identify hearing and balance disorders and will recommend and provide appropriate management and rehabilitation.

Audiology is a rapidly evolving profession, with advances in technology and research providing new ways of assessing and managing hearing and balance disorders.

You'll need to combine an analytical, scientific approach with a caring and patient-focused attitude to your work.

Areas of audiology work

Clinical scientists in audiology may work in areas, including:

  • adult assessment and rehabilitation
  • auditory implants, including cochlear and bone-conduction implants
  • paediatric assessment and rehabilitation
  • research and service development
  • tinnitus assessment and management
  • vestibular (balance and dizziness) assessment and rehabilitation
  • working with patients with additional or complex needs.

Working as a clinical scientist in audiology

Your responsibilities will vary depending on your skills, experience and area of specialism. However, you'll typically need to:

  • assess babies, children and adults with hearing, balance and tinnitus problems using a range of specialist tests
  • interpret test results, make clinical judgements and produce reports
  • develop individual management and rehabilitation plans with patients and other healthcare professionals
  • select, fit, programme and evaluate hearing aids and other hearing devices
  • assess and support patients using implantable hearing devices, such as cochlear implants, depending on your area of work
  • provide rehabilitation, counselling and advice to help patients manage hearing loss, tinnitus or balance problems
  • work as part of a multidisciplinary team, which may include ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists, neurologists, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and paediatricians
  • develop and evaluate diagnostic techniques, clinical procedures and audiology services
  • carry out research, audit and service improvement, and keep up to date with developments in audiology
  • teach and train other healthcare professionals.

Clinical scientist salaries

  • Jobs in the NHS are usually covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay rates, which consist of nine pay bands. Trainees on the Scientist Training Programme (STP) are usually employed at Band 6, which starts at £39,959 in England.
  • Once qualified, you're likely to be employed at Band 7, with a salary of £49,387 to £56,515.
  • With experience and further qualifications, you may progress to more senior clinical scientist, principal, lead or consultant roles at Bands 8a to 8d, with salaries ranging from £57,528 to £108,814. A small number of the most senior service leadership posts may be paid at Band 9, which ranges from £112,782 to £129,783.

NHS staff working in and around London may receive a high-cost area supplement of 5%, 15% or 20% of their basic salary, depending on location and subject to minimum and maximum payment levels.

Salary levels for clinical scientists working outside the NHS, including in private or independent audiology services, may vary.

These figures apply to NHS England. NHS salaries in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland differ. Check your country's pay scales for the most up-to-date NHS salary information.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does a clinical scientist in audiology work?

You'll usually work a 37.5-hour week. Depending on the service, you may work shifts.

There may be opportunities to work part time.

How do I become a clinical scientist in audiology?

Training in England is usually through the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP). This is a three-year, full-time programme combining work-based learning with funded part-time study for an MSc in Clinical Science.

To get a place on the STP, you'll usually need a first or 2:1 undergraduate honours or integrated Masters degree in a relevant pure or applied science subject, such as:

  • audiology or physiology
  • biochemistry or clinical pharmacology
  • biology, biological sciences or biomedical sciences
  • medical engineering
  • medicine
  • neuroscience
  • sport or exercise science with significant scientific content.

Research experience is also desirable. This could be gained through a Masters degree or PhD, or other relevant scientific or academic research experience. You can also apply if you have a 2:2 honours degree in any subject plus a relevant higher degree, such as a Masters.

Applications are made via Oriel and generally open in January for training starting in September. You can only apply to one specialty. The recruitment process includes:

Training places depend on NHS workforce needs, and not every specialty or location is available each year.

If successful, you'll be employed as a trainee clinical scientist on a fixed-term contract for the duration of the programme and paid a salary. You'll complete rotation modules during your first year before progressing through more specialist training. You may need to travel to other hospitals, departments or training sites to complete parts of the programme.

Existing NHS staff working in a recognised scientific specialty may be able to complete the STP through the in-service route. You'll need to meet the entry requirements, be nominated by your employer and have arrangements in place for your training.

For full details about the STP in England, see the National School of Healthcare Science website. Recruitment and training arrangements vary across the UK. See the relevant information for:

Experienced scientists who've completed other relevant training may be able to demonstrate that their knowledge, skills and experience meet the standards required for registration through either of the following routes:

An alternative undergraduate route into audiology is the NHS Practitioner Training Programme (PTP). This is a three-year BSc (Hons) programme combining academic and work-based learning and can lead to work as a healthcare science practitioner in audiology. For a list of courses, see the British Academy of Audiology. If you later want to train as a clinical scientist and meet the entry requirements, you could apply for the STP.

Key skills for a clinical scientist working in audiology

You'll need:

  • analytical and investigative skills to interpret hearing and balance test results, identify patterns and make informed clinical judgements
  • communication skills to explain tests, results and management options clearly to patients, families and other healthcare professionals
  • empathy and patience to support people who may be anxious or adjusting to hearing loss, tinnitus or balance problems
  • problem-solving skills to investigate complex cases and adapt assessments or rehabilitation to individual patient needs
  • research and critical appraisal skills to assess scientific evidence and contribute to research, service development and improvements in patient care
  • teamworking and leadership skills to collaborate with other healthcare professionals, contribute to clinical decisions and, as you gain experience, support and guide others
  • technical and digital skills to use, evaluate and troubleshoot specialist audiology equipment, hearing devices and other technologies, and manage clinical data.

Do I need clinical science work experience?

Entry to the STP is competitive, but formal clinical science work experience isn't essential. However, you'll need to show you understand the programme, your chosen specialty and the role of a clinical scientist in audiology.

You can develop this insight by:

  • attending STP open days, careers events or departmental visits
  • completing a relevant placement as part of your degree or Masters course
  • getting experience of working with patients to develop your understanding of patient care
  • getting involved in research projects, audits or publications during your studies
  • speaking to current STP trainees or clinical scientists
  • where possible, visiting an audiology department or shadowing a clinical scientist.

You may need to be proactive in gaining relevant experience. Part-time work, volunteering, university societies and other extracurricular activities can also help you develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, organisation and problem solving.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs clinical scientists in audiology?

Many clinical scientists working in audiology are employed by the NHS, in hospital audiology departments, ear, nose and throat (ENT) services and community audiology services.

There are also opportunities to work in:

  • companies that develop and manufacture hearing aids, cochlear implants and other hearing and balance technologies.
  • private hospitals and independent audiology services
  • universities, in teaching and research.

Some clinical scientists also work across more than one setting, for example between hospital and community clinics.

Look for job vacancies at:

Where can a career as a clinical scientist in audiology lead?

The NHS offers a structured career path, with opportunities to progress to senior, principal and consultant clinical scientist roles. You can also develop specialist expertise in areas such as:

  • auditory rehabilitation
  • balance and vestibular assessment
  • cochlear and other hearing implants
  • paediatric audiology
  • tinnitus.

As you gain experience, you may manage more complex cases, lead specialist services and take on greater responsibility for research, service development and management. If you want to progress towards consultant-level practice, you can apply for the five-year Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) programme in Audiological Science, which combines advanced work-based training with doctoral-level study.

You can also develop a career in research or academia, for example by completing a PhD and moving into research or university teaching. Other opportunities include audiology service management, working in the hearing technology industry, or taking on professional, advisory, education and training roles.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is important throughout your career and is a requirement of HCPC registration. Membership of the British Academy of Audiology can provide access to CPD, specialist training, mentoring, networking and professional events.