Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Working Life

Audiology technicians measure and evaluate the hearing ability and balance of adults and children. They perform tests using specialist equipment such as audiometers. These tests help to identify the different causes of hearing impairment, and so assist diagnosis.  
 
Some audiology technicians specialise in different types of work, such as tinnitus management or paediatric (children's) audiology. Others may carry out research with other professionals.  
 
Another aspect of the work done by audiology technicians is the long-term support of hearing impaired people. To this end, they work directly with clients and in liaison with doctors, social workers, employment advisers and other professionals. If a client needs a hearing aid or other equipment, the audiology technician prepares moulded ear inserts, and selects and fits the most suitable aid.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Maintain patient records at all stages, including initial and subsequent evaluation and treatment activities.
• Evaluate hearing and balance disorders to determine diagnoses and courses of treatment.
• Fit, dispense, and repair assistive devices, such as hearing aids.
• Administer hearing tests and examine patients to collect information on type and degree of impairment, using specialised instruments and electronic equipment.
• Monitor patients' progress and provide ongoing observation of hearing or balance status.
• Instruct patients, parents, teachers, or employers in communication strategies to maximise effective receptive communication.
• Counsel and instruct patients and their families in techniques to improve hearing and communication related to hearing loss.
• Refer patients to additional medical or educational services, if needed.
• Participate in conferences or training to update or share knowledge of new hearing or balance disorder treatment methods or technologies.
• Examine and clean patients' ear canals.

Further Information

• Audiologist- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Audiologist- from: GradIreland
• Hearing Therapist- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Audiology is the study of hearing and balance in the challenging and expanding field of clinical science and technology. Audiology involves assessment, management and rehabilitation of people with hearing, balance and associated disorders. This includes patients of all ages from newborns, children, adults and older people.

Candidates for the MSc in Audiology will hold either a minimum of second class honours grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or a postgraduate degree, in any scientific or medical discipline, such as but not exclusively, anatomy, biomedical science, engineering, social sciences, speech and language therapy, medicine, nursing and education.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: applied science.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: applied science.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: scientific, medical, anatomy, biomedical science, engineering, social sciences, speech and language therapy, medicine, nursing, education.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: audiology.

University College Cork offers an MSc in Audiology.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

• IAOA Irish Academy of Audiologists
• ISHAA Irish Society for Hearing Aid Audiologists
• CORU

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €37k - €72k

Salaries vary by employer (State / private) , role, duties, location, and experience.

Data Source(s):
HSE/ Indeed

Last Updated: August, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Psychologists; Pharmacists; Opticians (including dispensing opticians); Dental practitioners; Veterinarians; Medical radiographers; Podiatrists; Health professionals n.e.c.; Health services and public health managers; and directors Social services; managers and directors Health care practice managers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was above the national average for this occupation, although employment in 2022 were similar to 2021 levels. The CSO Census data shows that employment was spread across a large number of roles in 2022, with increases across all within this occupation since 2016.

While the numbers employed have increased since 2016, for the most part, the supply from the education and training system has not, and plans to expand training will not have an impact on the potential supply to the labour market in the short-term, given the duration of training required. This has led to issues for a number of roles within this group; for instance, there is an increasing number of students opting to study veterinary medicine in Poland due to the lack of available places to study in Ireland.

Psychologists and pharmacists were added to the employment permits Critical Skills list in June 2022 although new permits issued in 2022 primarily related to radiographers/sonographers, with a small number issued for dentists and pharmacists. With a quarter of those employed aged 55 years or older, replacement demand alone will create job opportunities in the coming years. Demand remains high across these occupations and issues with recruitment are occurring; however, as the numbers employed are too small across the roles for detailed analysis, evidence of shortages are difficult to determine.

• British Academy of Audiology

  • Association House, South Park Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 6SH
  • 44 (0) 1625 290046
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Health and Safety Executive

  • 1G Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 7HS, UK
  • +44 (0)845 345 0055
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• ISHAA Irish Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists

  • Irish Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists Doran & Minehane 59-60 O’Connell Street Limerick.
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Specsavers

  • Cirrus House 10 Experion Way Nottingham NG2 1EP
  • 0044 01566 771888/ 0044 0115 9330500
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• IAOA Irish Academy of Audiology

  • [email protected]
  • Click Here