Jane Deans - British Academy of Audiology |British Academy of Audiology

My career in Audiology began as a student Physiological Measurement Technician in 1987 at Southend Hospital in Essex, where I completed the BTEC in MPPM and the BAAT parts 1&2. I gained an Audiology MSc from University College London in 2001. From Southend, I worked at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Swindon. I am currently employed as the Head of Audiology Services for Hywel Dda University Health Board in South West Wales.

Over the years, I have worked in all aspects of clinical Audiology, and also student mentoring and quality assurance/accreditation. My clinical interests are now focused on tinnitus and hyperacusis.

I am a firm believer that education and training is key to building a strong Audiology workforce. Throughout my career, I have been involved in various educational, training and development issues. This has included the development and implementation of the N.V.Q Level III in Audiology, and eight years as an assessor for the practical component of the British Academy of Audiology examinations. I have worked with Bristol University as a Senior Assessor for the BSc final clinical examinations, and later as an external examination verifier for Aston University’s Audiology Foundation degree course.

Since 2013, I have been a peer assessor for the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) IQIPS accreditation scheme. After gaining UKAS accreditation in Swindon, I moved to a full time position within UKAS in 2016 as an Assessment Manager. Supporting services through their accreditation journey was an amazing experience and privilege.

In addition to my Head of Service role, I continue to act as a peer assessor for UKAS, and I am the current chair of the Audiology Speciality Advisory Group, which reports to the Welsh Government.

Throughout my career, I have strived to consistently provide best practice within my work and drive the quality of Audiology services forward for both clinicians and our service users.

Away from work, I often find myself in cold Scottish rivers fly fishing – emphasis on the fishing rather than the catching!