Another field - how many leave audiology after studying it

[lux]

Just out of curiosity how many 3rd and 4th year audiology students (or even qualified audiologists and clnical scientist) are consider leaving the profession and doing another job or degree?

[birm @]

Me! I'm in my final year now and after doing the placement year last year, I don't think its for me. Are you considering your options too?

[lux]

Just keeping my options open birm.

[TW12 @]

i am currently a fourth year student and doing my last year. In the beginning i thought that i didnt want to do Audiology but after my year placement - i changed my mind.

[naf @]

I think I was a little bit like that - in my first year I wasn't too sure if Audiology was for me but now I think I've had a change of heart....there is so much you can go into....I know a friend who is going to specialise in Paediatric balance...challenging!!!! In the same way there are so many options (I think) in the field of audiology...I don't think I would be able to do another degree after this; another 3/4 years at university would be a bit too much for me

[TW12 @]

until you actually work in a departments its hard to judge whether you like Audiology itself as a job.

I take it that your looking for jobs soon.

[I@n]

I don't think I would be able to do another degree after this; another 3/4 years at university would be a bit too much for me

I felt the same but if you get the chance to do a PhD your mind can change (if your interested in research!)

[fredrick @]

There does to be quite a big drop out rate in years one and two but Im not sure about years 3 and 4. Im not sure if that is because people werent really aware of what the course involved prior to applying so they have dropped out and others came through clearing due to failing to get into medicine or things like that.

[TW12 @]

Yes there is definitely a drop in numbers in year 1 and year 2 - think the majority who dont want to do the course leave in the 1st year and the people who dont pass leave in the 2nd year.

[Captain_Otostop]

I'd be happy working as an audiologist but I'm getting more of a taste for doing experiments and research after working with one of the heads of department. So i could possibly do research at uni or work for a private manufacturer if i don't go with NHS.

[Mr. Potato Head @]

Pshht, I'm not leaving this field after spending FOUR years studying it. :P

[otolith]

Leaving after 3rd and 4th year? Wow, did it take that long to realize that audiology is not the correct field?

Well, I for one, almost left audiology at the end of 3rd year. That's the year we are exposed to clinical sessions. For me, I was considering optometry. The main reason of leaving would be emotional. Was too involved in the lives of the people that came in to the clinic. Had never seen so many syndromes in such a short time. Had listen to too many sad stories and was it was draining emotionally. It was difficult to see parents who don't care for their own children. They "reject" the child because he cannot hear. Refuse to do anything for the child, claiming that they are just too busy. Children with normal hearing but becoming hearing impaired after abuse. Just too emotionally draining and I was unprepared. My grades just took a dive. My enthusiasm just vanished. My excitement with technology became dim. What's all that study gonna do if we cannot help them hear better?

Thankfully I had excellent lectures that set my mindset aright and taught me how to empathize without getting involved emotionally.

The joy of being in audiology really dawn on me when I started working. Was happy because I could see the positive change in the lives of the children and adults that have been properly fitted and counseled. Seeing their faces brighten up. Seeing the families changed for the better. Seeing grandparents talking again (they withdraw themselves because they cannot hear clearly what is spoken) Seeing children from no response to becoming so noisy the parents have to ask them to stop talking

Audiology is about people. If one prefers not to work with people, then audiology may not be a field for them. Of course there is research and PhD but basically, audiology is about helping people hear better.

[Captain_Otostop]

i agree that its about peopel and you have to listen to them but I make it a point not to let them rabbit on about all their problems or you will only see 3 patients a day.

[otolith]

Yeah, learning to be in control of the session was something I lacked back in 3rd year. Once they start going on about how terrible their life is, it'll take 3 hours

[TW12 @]

sometimes all patients wnat is to have a chat with someone. I know that it can be a bit much at time but we are there to help the patients - thats what we are there for.