“Audiology is not just a job – it’s almost a calling.”
What’s the best way to look after our hearing? Renee Almeida, an adult audiology clinical lead at Imperial College Healthcare, offers five top tips and reveals that she knew when she was just nine-years-old that she wanted to spend her life helping people with hearing problems.
See more from Renee on BBC Morning Live, in a four minute film about how to look after your hearing (from around one hour, six minutes into the show).
Tell us what you do.
I have been one of the Trust’s adult audiology clinical leads since 2018, after first joining the NHS over 25 years ago. Our service helps people who have hearing and balance problems, using cutting-edge technology. We provide care at St Mary’s and Charing Cross hospitals, as well as in community settings. I focus on the smooth running of the department and proudly assist the head of service in developing and delivering strategic planning and quality improvement initiatives, helping to shape the future of audiological care.
I trained in Brazil, came to London in 1997 and never looked back. I first worked at Charing Cross briefly in 1999 before rejoining in 2005 as a part-time chief audiologist after having my second child. I left Imperial College Healthcare to set up a business in early 2016 but the Trust never left me, and I came back in January 2018 as a clinical lead. I’ve vowed never to leave again, until I reach retirement age.
What first attracted you to audiology?
I decided I wanted to be an audiologist when I was nine years old, after seeing the difference a therapist made to a neighbour’s life. My father had partially lost his hearing due to a hereditary condition named otosclerosis – a calcification of the middle ear bones – so my mum was already alert to the signs of hearing loss. She noticed that our neighbour’s young son might be struggling to hear and encouraged them to get him checked.
He was diagnosed with severe to profound hearing loss, and soon a speech language therapist/audiologist started supporting him at home twice a week. I was in awe, witnessing how fast he was adapting to the hearing aid and saying his first words. I cheekily asked the therapist if I could observe a session – and I still remember it vividly. That’s the moment I knew what I wanted to do.
That little boy went on to have bilateral cochlear implants. Today, he’s married, has two teenage daughters and a great job. He lives a full and happy life.
Does anyone else in your family work in audiology?
Audiology definitely runs in the family, with my niece following in my footsteps after seeing how happy I am in the role and the career opportunities involved. We are a very close family, and this means a huge amount to me.
What do you love most about audiology?
Audiology is anything but boring! We help people reconnect with the world , support social reintegration and empower them to regain independence and confidence. We use the latest technology in hearing aids devices and other hearing solutions and devote a great deal of our time to counselling. It’s fascinating how we tailor rehabilitation plans to each individual’s needs, using a holistic and person-centred approach. There is also an interdisciplinary collaboration with GPs, ear nose and throat (ENT), neurology and other healthcare professionals.
Renee Almeida
"Audiology is anything but boring! We help people reconnect with the world, support social reintegration and empower them to regain independence and confidence."
Hearing rehabilitation is only a small part of audiology. The profession also involves aural care (earwax removal), vestibular/balance diagnostics and rehabilitation, paediatrics (including newborn screening), educational audiology, inner and middle ear implants, hearing therapy (which includes counselling on tinnitus and hyperacusis), occupational audiology, auditory processing disorders, research and academic teaching.
For me, audiology is not just a job – it’s almost a calling. It blends science, technology, counselling, compassion and leadership in ways that touch every part of the human experience . There is challenge, variety, creativity, and immense personal satisfaction in knowing that what we do truly matters.
I think it’s incredibly important to engage with the media, especially when working on issues that affect people’s lives so directly. Many news organisations have a wide audience, offering an opportunity to raise awareness of hearing health – an area that is often overlooked and has a huge stigma still attached to it. For me, it’s not about being in the spotlight. It is about using that visibility to educate people, amplify voices, share real experiences and challenge misconceptions.
I want the public to understand that audiology isn’t just about hearing aids. It’s about communication, connection, and improving quality of life. Media engagement is a powerful way to bring hearing health into mainstream conversations, build empathy, and push for better access and support for those who need it. Educating and promoting better hearing and listening is a central part of my professional purpose, particularly among younger populations.
Do you have any top tips for looking after your hearing?
Hearing and listening are related but they are not the same thing. Hearing is passive, it happens automatically. It is when our ears detect sounds like a car honking, birds chirping, or someone talking, even if we are not paying attention. Listening, on the other hand, is active as we choose to do it. We pay attention to sounds and try to understand them, like when you’re following a conversation or enjoying music.
We need to look after our ears, hearing and listening skills. Here are my top tips:
- Protect ears from loud noise and use ear protection in places like concerts, clubs, or construction sites. Being exposed to sounds above 85 decibels can cause permanent damage to the sensitive hair cells in the inner ear. As a rule, the louder the noise, the less time it takes for it to become harmful. Keep volume levels on ear/head phones down and limit usage time. Consider wearing bone conduction headphones instead of conventional (over-the-ear) headphones or ear buds. After exposure to loud noise, give your ears time to recover, ideally more than 16 hours of quiet after a loud event.
- Use noise cancelling headphones with caution and never for a long period of time. They block out important sounds, which can be dangerous when we are out and about. Equally concerning, they give the brain only one source of sound which can make the brain too comfortable and sensitive to general noises, impacting sound processing and tolerance.
- Be cautious with cotton buds and over-the-counter ear cleaning products. In most cases, it’s best to simply clean around the ear gently with a damp cloth and if the earwax is impacted, seek professional advice to have it removed. Occasional use of olive oil (medical grade) can help the skin to be moist and encourage earwax self-cleaning.
- Stay physically and mentally healthy. Regular exercise supports blood flow, including to the ears, which may help preserve hearing. Also, avoid smoking and alcohol as they are both linked to higher risk of hearing loss. Keep well hydrated as the inner ears are filled with liquid and can get dehydrated, which impacts our attention, focus, and tinnitus perception, potentially causing balance issues.
- Get a hearing test if you notice a change in your hearing, like needing the TV louder, struggling to follow conversations, or asking people to repeat themselves etc. As we get older, our hearing declines very gradually and early detection allows better management with hearing aids or lifestyle adjustments. Consider wearing hearing aids if they have been advised by the audiologist. They protect the brain from auditory deprivation and help people to stay socially engaged. Be open about hearing difficulties with friends and family – ask them to speak clearly and slower, not louder.
Please remember: sudden hearing loss requires urgent attention – it might recover if treatment is given sooner rather than later. Always go to your nearest A&E!
Are you looking for more people to be audiologists?
We most definitely are. Nationally there is a higher demand for audiology services with an aging population, increased awareness and early years screening. It is estimated that by 2030 over 4,500 more audiologists will be needed to meet the demand.
I’ve had quite a few proud moments. The first is being recruited so quickly when my English was still very limited. I had the knowledge and experience in audiology but had to learn the language very fast.
I always feel very proud when our students pass their exams with flying colours. I’ve also been involved in many transformations across our hospital sites, and I’m incredibly proud of their results. Lastly, I’m very proud to be part of an amazing team who are diligent, supportive and great fun to work with.
How do you switch off from work?
I have a large circle of friends and really enjoy spontaneous plans. My husband is great company and is always keen to join me in whatever is going on, which makes it easy to unwind. I also love spending time with my children, who are now young adults.
Travelling is a real passion of mine, as is going for long walks through London’s many parks or exploring National Trust sites. I feel very privileged to have a healthy work-life balance that allows me to enjoy all of these things.
Further information
Interested in a career in the NHS? Check out our current vacancies at Imperial College Healthcare.
