Understanding the Role of a Doctor of Audiology: Expertise and Levels of Care in Hearing Health
What is a Doctor of Audiology?
It’s good question. A lot of the time when I tell people that I have a doctorate they tend to assume that I’ve done a PhD or some kind of research. In actual fact, the doctorate I have a clinically based rather than research, which means I can apply it more to my day-to-day patient care. Don’t get me wrong, PhD’s are great, just not something I could see myself doing (but never say never!).
However, let’s make a few things clear here. Being a Doctor of Audiology does not mean I am a medical practitioner or an Ear, Nose and Throat Consultant. My skill set firmly lies in the realm of audiology. It’s a clinical doctorate in a similar way that dentists hold a doctorate but are not medical practitioners.
What’s the difference between a Masters in Audiology and a Doctorate in Audiology?
To put it simply, my doctorate is an extension beyond my master’s degree. A requirement to apply for the doctorate course was to have a master’s already. The skills and knowledge I learnt extended beyond what I had already learnt in my master’s but also new areas such as pharmacology and business management. Interestingly, the only universities that provide a doctorate in audiology are ones in America. Reason being that you cannot practice audiology in America without a doctorate, which means their clinicians are held to an incredibly high standard.
Here in the UK there are several different layers to who can practice audiology. To break this down we have-
Hearing Care Assistant
These are healthcare professionals who support audiologists and hearing aid dispensers in providing audiological care. Becoming a hearing care assistant (HCA) typically involves 3-12 months of training depending on the pace of learning. Responsibilities may include conducting hearing screenings and assisting with hearing aid maintenance.
Hearing Aid Dispenser
The hearing aid dispensing qualification is a 2 year foundation level degree. Hearing aid dispensers must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. They are qualified to assess hearing, recommend hearing aids and fit hearing aids. Hearing aid dispensers tend to work in retail environments or opticians offering hearing aid services.
Audiologist
Audiologists tend to have a broader, more in-depth role than hearing aid dispensers. To qualify they must complete a 3-year Bachelor of Science degree which includes a placement year. Audiologists manage a wide range of hearing disorders and can work in a wide range of clinical setting such as hospitals, research institutions and with ENT specialists.
Specialist Audiologist
Specialists audiologists may carry out additional postgraduate master’s degree for 1 to 2 years. They may choose to study and specialise in vestibular disorders, paediatric hearing loss or cochlear implants.
Doctor of Audiology
A doctor of audiology will carry out additional training for 2 years following their master’s degree. The doctorate level program focuses on advanced clinical training in audiology. Whilst they can still assess and manage hearing loss and vestibular disorders, they often handle more complex cases due to their higher level of clinical expertise.
Why Does it Matter?
The distinction between these roles in audiology is crucial for understanding the level of care you may need or want when seeking help for your hearing issues. As a Doctor of Audiology, I bring a depth of clinical expertise that allows me to handle more complex cases, while still providing the same day-to-day care for those with hearing loss. It’s not just about having a title—it’s about ensuring patients receive the best, most informed treatment possible.
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