Audiology

Audiology is the study of hearing, balance, and related medical disorders. It is an expanding profession in New Zealand and internationally.

Subject overview

Audiology is a field of study with a broad range of applications. A combination of theoretical study and practical experience, audiology was established in 1990 at the University of Auckland in order to provide New Zealand students with a pathway into clinical audiology.

There are excellent facilities for research in a wide variety of topics, including anatomy and physiology of the ear, mechanisms of inner ear disease, psychoacoustics, acoustics, hearing aids, cochlear implants, tinnitus, psychosocial issues of deafness and auditory evoked potentials.

The University's Hearing and Tinnitus Clinic provides a service to the community and excellent opportunities for clinical training.

Where can audiology take you?

The job market for audiology-related professions is looking good, due to a combination of increased public awareness of hearing loss, an aging population, and the rise of headphones. Audiologists in New Zealand may embark on range of further research topics, or find themselves working in a variety of environments.

An audiologist may work:

  • With children and/or adults
  • In hospital clinics, private practice or in their own business
  • In educational settings (Deaf Education Resource Centres)
  • Within cochlear implant programmes in academic settings (universities)
  • For hearing aid manufacturers (product education or research)

Explore your study options in Audiology