Healthcare Science
Audiology is the healthcare science discipline concerned with the assessment, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of hearing and balance disorders. It sits within the broader field of healthcare science and applies knowledge of anatomy, physiology, acoustics, and technology to the clinical management of patients whose hearing or balance is affected by age, noise exposure, disease, or developmental factors. As hearing loss becomes increasingly prevalent in an ageing population, and as the link between hearing health and cognitive wellbeing becomes clearer, audiologists play an increasingly important role in the healthcare system.
At Swansea University, this three-year, full-time degree gives you expert knowledge of the science of hearing and balance alongside the associated pathological conditions that affect them. You will study the anatomy and physiology of the auditory and vestibular systems, the physics of sound, the pathology of hearing disorders, audiological assessment techniques, hearing aid technology and fitting, and the rehabilitation approaches that help patients manage hearing loss. Clinical placements are central to the degree, giving you supervised professional experience in audiology departments alongside your academic studies.
Graduates from healthcare science audiology degrees are eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and for employment as audiologists in NHS audiology departments, hearing aid dispensaries, and private audiology practices. Many audiologists develop specialist expertise in areas such as paediatric audiology, cochlear implant programmes, tinnitus management, or balance disorders. The profession offers opportunities for continuing professional development, and postgraduate study in audiology, healthcare science, or related disciplines is available for those who wish to develop specialist or leadership roles.
The combination of scientific knowledge, clinical skill, and patient-centred care makes audiology a genuinely distinctive and rewarding career.