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Sound is a huge part of our lives, so you can imagine how the loss of hearing may impact those who it affects. Loss of hearing might mean you can no longer detect those high pitched noises such as bird songs, it may mean you can’t distinguish voices if you’re in a loud environment, or it could mean you can no longer properly enjoy your favorite songs. Loss of hearing can be extremely debilitating and it affects around 48 million people in the US, the likelihood increasing with age.
Those in the music industry often suffer from the early onset of hearing conditions such as tinnitus, a condition that can drive people to extremes, for example, music stars Will.i.am, Phil Collins and Grimes who all admit to battling with the constant affliction of the condition. But thanks to improving technologies and the wonderful scientists and doctors who carry out audiology, when it comes to hearing, all is not lost. The role of an audiologist includes testing for and treating such conditions, changing the lives of those they work with.
About The Career
As with any role in healthcare, an audiologist needs to be caring, people’s person as they will deal with patients of all ages on a daily basis. Surprisingly, learning sign language is not a requirement as an audiologist, however knowing a little can be helpful in treating those on the lower end of the hearing spectrum, building better relationships and providing them with better treatment.
What you will need to treat people with hearing and balance disorders, is a doctor of audiology degree and state licensing. While this takes around 7 years of further education, the pay off is worthwhile with the average salary for an audiologist sitting at around £35,000 in the UK and even higher in the US, depending on experience, specialization, location, etc. Check Maxxima’s website for the best selection of UK Audiology jobs.
About The Tech
Did you know that Beethoven, one of the most famous classical composers ever to have lived, also suffered from hearing loss? Unfortunately for him, treatment for hearing only existed in the form of comical and ineffective “ear trumpets” up until 1870 when the inventions of electricity and the telephone lead to the creation of hearing aids.
Since then, hearing aid technology has made leaps and bounds, incorporating features like telecoils, Bluetooth and FM connectivity, which help you pick up sounds in public spaces or communicate with other electronic devices, smart setting that adapts to your surroundings, rechargeable batteries and increased wear. Hearing aids are also getting smaller, sleeker and more discreet, but with ever greater capability in a trend that is set to continue, just take a look at some of the latest devices.
There is a lot of stigma around the loss of hearing and relying on hearing aids resulting in people putting off the problem for an average of seven years before consulting an audiologist. The truth is that seeking treatment can greatly improve your quality of life and help to avoid further deterioration, allowing you to connect with your surroundings, maintain relationships and avoid the stresses that come with hearing disabilities.
