Hearing therapists provide rehabilitation for adults with hearing loss or hearing difficulties such as tinnitus (perceived noise in the ear without corresponding external sound). They teach them techniques which help them to communicate and to make good use of what hearing they have.

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.

Pay

As a hearing therapist with the NHS on the Agenda for Change salary scales, you would normally start on Band 5, £34,494 to £42,977 a year. The current pay scales are from April 2025. Outside the NHS your income would vary according to whether you were freelance or employed.

Conditions

• Most hearing therapists work within the ear, nose and throat (ENT) department within a hospital, although not all hospitals employ hearing therapists.
• 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.

Useful Subjects

• Biology

Getting In

• Most National Health Service (NHS) Health Boards 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 4-5 Highers including 2 from Maths, science subjects and Psychology. Some universities require Advanced Highers.
• You would then take the postgraduate Masters (MSc) or Diploma (PgDip) course in Audiology (Pre-Registration) 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 within for 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.
• You may also find it useful to train in counselling or sign language.

Getting On

• You may be able to specialise in work such as balance rehabilitation, cochlear implants or working with people with learning difficulties or dual sensory loss.
• You may move into management.
• You might do research work.

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.