Audiology
Duration
2 years
Entry
Graduate
Scope of practice
NZ
Cohort size
24
Audiology
The Master of Audiology will prepare you to work as an audiologist. Audiologists are experts who use specialised equipment to assess hearing, balance and neural function. They advise patients and help select and fit hearing aids. Audiologists are also involved in hearing loss prevention and rehabilitation of patients.
As an audiologist, you will be dealing with many elderly and young patients. This requires you to be extra patient and have excellent communication skills since your patients are likely to have a hearing impairment.
Entry and Statistics
Entry into audiology is competitive, and you will be selected based on your GPA and interview*. Nailing the interview is just as important as getting good grades! Below are some entry statistics to help you better understand the GPA needed for audiology. In total, there are 24 seats for audiology.
*(The university has not specified the weighting of the interview but it is assumed as 50%)
Want to maximise your chances? Check out our MMI Guide and receive a FREE Consultation today!
Graduate pathway
To enter the Master of Audiology programme, you must complete a relevant Bachelors degree from the University of Auckland. You must attain a minimum GPA of 5.0 in 60 points above Stage II to apply.
The University has stated that “A relevant degree may include subjects in one of health sciences, public health, or science. Whether a degree is considered relevant will also depend on the courses taken; relevant areas may include physiology and psychology.” It is best to ask the University beforehand if your degree is relevant!
This is an extremely simplified guide and we strongly encourage you to visit the UoA audiology entry guide and student centre for more information. We try to make our information as accurate as possible but entry criteria is subject to change and our information may be outdated.
For entry tips, please visit our graduate guide.
Number of applicants
No Data Found
Median successful GPA
The median GPA of successful applicants has increased. Although the median GPA is high, some students enter with a GPA much lower than this.
No Data Found
What does the programme involve?
The Master of Audiology is a comprehensive programme that comprises anatomy, physiology and mechanisms of disease of the ear. You will learn types of hearing corrections with hands-on experience at the university hearing clinic.
Anatomy and physiology
Anatomy and physiology of the auditory system
Mechanisms of disease
Mechanisms of inner ear disease
Hands on experience
Practical labs and placements
Hearing aids
Types of hearing corrections
Part I
Part I Audiology includes the foundations of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, physics, diagnostic audiology, electrophysiology, and hearing aids and rehabilitation. Further to this, students undergo clinical training under audiologists in adult and paediatric clinics with a major focus on adult rehabilitation. Students will start off with clinical observation in the UoA hearing and balance clinics. Students will also shadow ENT specialists within hospital settings.
Part I really prepares individuals with a solid foundation in audiology before stepping into clinical areas and before placements. There are a lot of opportunities to learn, which may be overwhelming but is for your good down the track.
Part II
Part II further focuses on paediatric hearing rehabilitation and diagnostic work in hospitals. This occurs simultaneously with student work on the Master’s thesis for the year, which is confirmed end of Part I. Further placements are made with private clinics, hospitals and with ENTs.
I was surprised by how much there is in the field of Audiology. It taps into numerous areas, including adult and paediatric hearing rehabilitation, vestibular therapy, tinnitus specialisation and counselling, or diagnostic audiology working alongside ENTs.
Wonder what it is like being an audiologist? Here’s what one says:
“As an audiologist working for a private company, most of my role is testing people’s hearing, diagnosing hearing losses, and fitting hearing aids. There is also a lot of education and counselling around ear health and hearing aid use.”
What do you enjoy the most about being an audiologist?
“I find hearing aid technology particularly interesting – there is so much innovation and applied science that can be squeezed into a tiny unit that people wear behind their ears.
It can also be tremendously rewarding, having the ability to change a patient’s quality of life once you give them access to sound again. Being able to hear influences every area of a person’s life – from social participation to being aware of safety cues to reducing the risk of dementia.”
What is a challenge you faced since graduating?
“One challenge that comes with the role I have faced since starting work is being drained socially. The audiologist role involves constant face-to-face interaction every moment that you are at work. Even though I consider myself a people person, I find myself enjoying the quiet evenings and chilled weekends. A good work-life balance is a must!”
What does the job involve?
There are a wide range of opportunities available for audiologists, with flexibility in what they can do.
Hospital & private clinics
Testing hearing
Prescribing & fitting hearing aids
Advising patients
After graduating, you will need to complete one year of supervised practice (usually in clinic) before being credited by NZAS. Audiologists can work in a variety of settings with regular business hours. Most work in hospitals or private clinics, but there is also the opportunity to work in schools and hearing aid companies. Audiologists mainly work with elderly and young patients fitting and adjusting hearing aids.
For more information, CareersNZ has a good guide of what audiologists do.
Pros and Cons
Like any clinical programme, Audiology has several pros and cons. Just know that everyone has different perspectives. A pro for you might be a con for others!
Pros
– Small, tight knit cohort.
– Regular work hours in private practices. Can opt for hospital work instead. Good work life balance.
– Flexibility between rural and urban clinics.
– Good job security with relatively high starting pay.
Cons
– Treatment and diagnosis are limited to the ears only and cannot do surgical procedures.
– Need further specialisation for some procedures such as ear cleaning.