What is an Audiologist?

Types of Audiologist

Important information

Potential Problems

Useful Links

Types of Audiologist

• There are 2 types of audiologist:

1. Hospital/Clinical Audiologists

Educational Audiologists

• The Hospital Audiologist will test a student’s hearing and provide him or her with appropriate hearing aids and earmoulds.

• The Educational Audiologist works mainly in educational settings with school age children. Their main duties include provision and maintenance of radio aids, monitoring and evaluation of hearing aids in home and school, providing teachers, parents and older pupils with advice about the maintenance and management of all hearing aid equipment and other assistive listening devices. They provide a link between health and education on audiological issues. An individual College may work in partnership with an educational audiologist from the local authority, or by establishing an arrangement with an audiologist or clinic.

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Important information

Information pupils need to have before leaving school:

• A copy of their audiogram and information on their hearing aids from their hospital audiologist

• Information from the educational audiologist/teacher of the deaf on additional audiological equipment the student may require to enable them to access your college/university course

Information needed before a student starts college/university:

• Location of the nearest audiology clinic

• How to access the services available in this clinic e.g. batteries, earmoulds and hearing aid repairs

• How to obtain a radio aid or other assistive listening devices:

1. If the course the student is studying is a HNC, HND or Degree level course then they can apply for Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA) to purchase the equipment. The student will need to have an assessment first. The student may be eligible for Disabled Student ‘s Allowance, which will provide funding for the support and equipment the student needs to enable them to access the course. The student will need an assessment of their support needs by a suitably qualified person.

1. If the course the student is studying is not as advanced as an HNC, a member of staff at the college should meet with the student to discuss technology needs as the college is responsible for providing the appropriate equipment. It may be necessary for an audiologist to assist in the needs assessment process.

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Potential problems

• Students will not be recalled for an audiological assessment every year as in school. If they feel that their hearing or aids need to be reassessed they have to arrange the appointment themselves.
• The normal waiting time for an assessment at an adult  audiology clinic can be quite long. It is important to support the student to find out how they can be fast-tracked through the system because their needs are greater as they are still in education.

• Costs may be incurred if working privately with an audiologist.

• If there are problems with the radio aid:

• The student is responsible for maintenance and repairs if  they bought it. Funds may be available to cover this cost (DSA can be used to purchase spare direct input leads and audio input shoes).

• The college is responsible for repairing the radio aid if they provided it.

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Useful Links

http://www.rnid.org.uk/

http://www.ndcs.org.uk/index.html

http://www.connevans.com/

http://www.ci-4teenz.com/

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