Careers

Why did I choose audiology as a career?

After finishing my BSc in Psychology, and taking a couple of years of off to travel overseas, I felt I needed to pursue some sort of vocational training. I was not keen to go back to university for another four years or so to complete another degree. I love working with and meeting new people, hearing their stories and experiences. I have always wanted to work in the health sector and have an interest in business and management.

Audiology is a profession that incorporates all these interests. A Master of Audiology allowed me to utilise the experience and qualifications I already had, and not only offers good job prospects in New Zealand, but also overseas. This qualification is portable and provides an excellent means for work and travel. Audiology is a satisfying profession that improves the quality of people’s lives and also provides a unique and exciting opportunity to work with state-of-the-art technology.

The course itself is intensive and challenging, and definitely resulted in some stressful times, however it was all worth it. It involves a mix of theoretical and practical courses covering physics, anatomy and physiology, and clinical and diagnostic skills for working with both adult and pediatric populations. The final step is to complete a dissertation, which although time consuming, is a very satisfying achievement. The intake for the course is relatively small, which means personal attention and support is offered to students. We had an amazing class who all still keep in touch and I am sure always will.

I have been associated with Bay Audiology for three years now and they have provided me with valuable clinical experience, a supportive team environment and good friends. I started my time with Bay working in my study breaks doing admin and odd jobs. This has allowed me to get to know my colleagues, as well as experience different aspects of running a business. I also did my clinical placement with Bay, which provided me with exceptional audiological experience, skills and guidance.

Bay Audiology promotes a dynamic and supportive work environment. There are many opportunities to take on new challenges, and learn new skills. Everyone in the company has been incredibly helpful and supportive, and I’m very excited to start my audiology career working alongside such wonderful people. In terms of starting a career in audiology, I could not have asked for much more.

Each Audiologist will clearly be somewhat unique depending on their areas of experience and preference as well as the population base they find themselves in. However, overall each clinic is relatively similar. 

My home based clinic is based inside a private medical centre (spelled 'center' for those Americans out there!).  I receive quite a number of referrals for some diagnostic audiometric assessments and basic vestibular assessments, including some BPPV repositioning if required.  Traditionally, the majority of appointments are dealing with diagnostic assessments and aural rehabilitation for adults.

There is a vast array of funding types available, which at least some can be accessed for nearly every patient seen.  We deal with a wide variety of manufacturers depending on the needs of the patient, basically anything that is available in the world CAN be accessed if required. However there are some that are supported more in the country than others, and of course these are preferred for obvious reasons in case any issues may arise.  On a day-to-day glance, I begin each day arriving at the clinic just before 8:30 (to make sure I’m on time!) and begin seeing patients for hearing assessments, needs assessments, fittings or follow-up appointments. 

Each appointment has ample time to effectively assess/treat each patient without being pushed for time and allows the majority of the paperwork to be performed during each session.  Should there be some administration duties (reports, notes, orders, correspondence to other professionals or audiologists, etc) there is also time allocated for this which is proven to be ample for clinicians of a variety of backgrounds from across the globe.  And did I mention a good solid hour for lunch?  I must say for those lovers of Mexican food, like myself, you will not find it here in its true Tex-Mex form.  However, I have become a massive lover and addict to the Turkish kebab.  Very similar to a large burrito, but ... dare I say it … better!

Sorry, I digress, but suffice it to say that the majority of each day has a nice balance of consistent appointments to keep one occupied and interested, but not at a rate that is stressful or compromises effectiveness or accuracy for the patient. And then I head out the door most days with a beautiful blonde speech-language therapist (she also happens to have married this ole Texan boy) around the 5 o'clock mark.  At which point I’m headed off to either basketball, ultimate frisbee, skateboarding on the boardwalk at the beach, going to a barbeque or other activities - to each their own for this part of the day of course.