Audiologists

Audiologists make a hugely positive impact on the lives of patients of all ages from birth conducting newborn hearing assessments, to people aged 100 years and above – you are never too old to benefit from supportive hearing devices.

Audiology is a rapidly progressive field of healthcare where increasingly effective clinical interventions are constantly being innovated alongside more holistic techniques to help people self-manage conditions such as tinnitus, hyperacusis and vestibular conditions by harnessing the latest rehabilitative approaches.

This approach is very much evident here at the Newcastle Hospitals where we offer a wide breadth of Audiology services for both adults and children ranging from routine hearing aid fittings to highly specialist work including a bone anchored hearing aid service, pre-assessment for cochlear implants and auditory brainstem testing in newborn babies.

Our audiologists never stop learning and as well as working closely with ENT consultants, speech and language therapists and other professions many run their own clinics assessing patients’ hearing abilities and fitting hearing aids.

We are committed to ensuring our staff can access all the development opportunities they need to enhance skills and knowledge, and career progression into leadership and managerial roles is actively encouraged which we believe is key to future proofing an exciting and fulfilling career.

CPD support at Newcastle Hospitals

Career aspirations can be discussed at annual appraisals in close liaison with line managers, or at any other time of the year, to help understand and plan how we can help you to take steps forward and achieve your goals.

For example, you may wish to specialise in a particular area of practice or explore teaching or research. Further training can support you to prepare for a future role – you may wish to become an advanced, specialist practitioner or progress into management.

Annual appraisals help to shape personal development plans to set out learning opportunities which can be provided either in-house or externally.

Choosing the right CPD for you

There is a huge and diverse range of learning and development opportunities for you to choose from. We offer a wide variety of courses which are run in-house by our Education Workforce Development team and you can seek advice from our team here at the Newcastle Clinical Skills Academy about what might work for you.

If it’s something relating to leadership that you’re looking for then head to the Leadership section of our website to find out more.

If you have a particular interest in research then our section on how to #MakeSpace4Research will tell you everything you need to know.

Professional councils

Registration with a professional body is a clear demonstration that you are qualified, meet high standards for your practice and behaviour and are willing to be accountable for what you do which protects the public and promotes confidence in your profession.

Health and Care Professions Council

Clinical Scientists in Audiology require registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). 

Members of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) are required to meet the HCPC’s 5 CPD standards.

Keeping an up-to-date file of progress which documents your activities and achievements so that you have this to hand at any time should you be asked to provide it.

The HCPC carry out an audit of Audiologists every 2 years when they select 2.5% to present them with CPD activities.

You can find out more about how to fill in a CPD profile and see lots of examples of CPD activities on the Health and Care Professions Council website.

Academy for Healthcare Science

Audiologists can also be registered with the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) (incorporating the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists – RCCP)

If you are a member of the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) there are five standards that every registrant must meet:

• Maintain a continuous, up-to-date and accurate record of CPD activities; 
• Demonstrate that CPD activities are a mixture of learning activities relevant to current or future practice;
• Seek to ensure that their CPD has contributed to the quality of their practice and service delivery;
• Seek to ensure that their CPD benefits the service user
• Upon request, present a written profile (which must be their own work and supported by evidence) explaining how they have met the standards for CPD.

You can find out more about how to evidence your CPD on the AHCS website.

Professional support

Your profession may also have specific expectations – as a practicing Audiologist you may find some of the following information helpful.

British Academy of Audiology (BAA)

The BAA aims to help its members to develop in their professional skills, provide a benchmark for quality and professional standards and promote audiology as an autonomous profession.

Its website provides a wide range of information including:

• Professional support on a wide range of topics including paediatric audiology, cochlear implants, tinnitus and EDI and accessibility
• Signposting for career progression and higher education
• Events, conferences, meetings and courses.

Find out more on the British Academy of Audiology website

British Society of Audiology (BSA)

The BSA is also a rich source of information and support focusing on learning, knowledge, practice and impact with dedicated sections on:

• Resources: recommended procedures and publications
• Groups: enhancing opportunities for inter-disciplinary networking
• Events: conferences, meetings and accredited courses
• Research: improving audiology knowledge and practice
• Online courses: virtual learning opportunities
• Audacity: the membership magazine

Find out more on the British Society of Audiology website

Contact us

To find out more about how to benefit from CPD funding and other learning and development opportunities at Newcastle Hospitals, speak to your line manager in the first instance or get in touch with the Newcastle Clinical Skills Academy team: