Rachel Williams BSc Audiology Graduate , 2009

Senior Audiologist in the NHS

Hi, I'm Rachel Williams and I studied BSc Audiology Graduate within Engineering and the Environment at the University of Southampton.

For anyone toying with the idea of a BSc in Audiology or MSc in Health Science specialising in Audiology I would thoroughly recommend it as a solid and rewarding career.

Having enjoyed my Biology A-Level I was keen to pursue a career which was scientific as well as helping people. I liked the University of Southampton because of the ski and snowboard society so decided it would be a good place to start looking for degree courses. I immediately felt at home on the campus but having looked at midwifery and nursing, quickly realised they weren't for me. I found myself in a talk all about ears and from then on decided that this was a career path I wanted to find out more about!

Audiology is an interesting course and not as specialised as I first thought. There are so many career opportunities that it brings such as specialisations in hearing aid rehabilitation, balance, tinnitus, cochlear implants or paediatrics. The degree course does not confine you to an NHS job; there are numerous opportunities in charitable organisations, high street shops, private hearing aid dispensers and management or sales of diagnostic equipment. The degree course itself is interactive and not solely lecture based. The lecturers are very professional whilst being ever supportive throughout the course. Even now, over 4 years on I am still in touch with them and they are always genuinely pleased to see how their students are getting on!  

For me personally I chose to work as an Audiologist directly with patients and began working at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in the summer after qualifying. I progressed to Senior Audiologist (Band 6 in the NHS) after just over a year and I now work with both children and adults. My job is very diverse and the job satisfaction is amazing. I work with patients ranging from the age of 2 weeks through to 100 years plus, so no day is ever the same!

I am now hoping to study an MSc in Health Science in Amsterdam as I've always wanted to live abroad. My BSc and subsequent work for the NHS has put me in a good position to fulfil this opportunity.