The Advanced Practitioner in Audiology How things have

The Advanced Practitioner in Audiology: How things have changed Neil Summerfield Advanced Audiology Practitioner

A brief bit of background about me…. • Worked in Audiology since 2001 • Worked in Salford Royal Audiology since 2005 • Part of the British Academy of Audiology board since 2012 • Started Advanced Practitioner course 2012

A brief history of Audiology in the UK • Originally 3 distinct roles with different training routes • Audiologist • Hearing Therapist • Audiological Scientist • 2000, the Department of Health (DH) allocated over £ 90 m to fund the Modernising Hearing Aid Services (MHAS) programme • The first Audiology Degree 2002 • 2010 ‘Modernising Scientific Careers The UK Way Forward’ • Audiology • Vision • Neurology • 2012/13 Any Qualified Provider • Training route determines registration. (Voluntary (RCCP) or Compulsory (HCPC))

All a little confusing at times…

Positive changes…

The Challenges…. "Audiologists do not have the broad • Any Qualified Provider training in history taking, physical examination (both general • Better health at lower costs and specific), differential diagnosis and management • Waiting Times strategy formulation that doctors possess” The British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists Head and Neck • Government targets. Surgeons’ (2008)

Basic Principles…. . Clinical Education Advanced Practice Research Management and leadership

Historical Pathways…. . • Dizziness Assessments • All tinnitus • Unilateral HL • Otalgia • Otorrhoea Dizziness Tinnitus ENT Hearing Problems Audiology • Bilateral hearing loss • Diagnostic tests • Tinnitus Rehabilitation • Vestibular Rehabilitation

Redesign of Pathways…. . ENT Dizziness Tinnitus Hearing Problems Audiology Advanced Practitioner Relevant Services: Cardiology, Neurology, physiotherapy etc. . Audiology

Not just Audiology Conditions • Front line staff • Holistic assessments • Extended appointments

What the future holds…. • Working in acute services • Increased integration of services • Reducing costs • Securing future jobs • Providing more patient centred care • Increasing the number of Advanced Audiology/ENT Practitioners

Questions…?