Audiology Research

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The Audiology Service in Wales is well known across the UK Audiology profession for our innovation and service improvement.  Individuals working in the service have been involved in many of the advancements in the Audiology profession over the last few decades, and indeed have led on key developments.  We also regularly share findings with the Audiology community nationally and internationally.

All of our developments are grounded in clinical need, that is in the need of people with hearing, tinnitus and balance disorders across Wales. Likewise, our research interests are primarily studies that can be directly applied to clinical practice, whilst supporting and working with academic colleagues in translational or underpinning science.

The Healthcare Science Programme within Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) and the Healthcare Science Research and Innovation Group (HCS RIG) have developed the first 5 year strategy for research and innovation for healthcare science professionals in NHS Wales.

The Vision:

For research and innovation undertaken and led by healthcare science professionals to play a key part in evidencing and delivering a healthier Wales.

The Mission:

• To increase our capacity and capabilities to ensure all healthcare science professionals have an opportunity to engage in innovation and research across all career levels.
• To improve the engagement of healthcare science professionals as leaders in research and innovation across NHS Wales.
• To cultivate an environment in healthcare science that encourages rigorous scientific inquiry, patient-centred, value-based innovation and continuous professional development to address prevalent health challenges in Wales.

WARN

The Wales Audiology Research Network (WARN) is a research network made up of Audiology professionals across Wales working together to improve research and innovation in Wales.  WARN was conceived in 2018 and originally implemented as an informal network to support audiology professionals who were undertaking doctoral studies. It very quickly developed into a wider network to support and build research capacity in the audiology professions in Wales at all levels. In the earlier years, research webinars were set up to encourage those with research interests to engage with research activities. In the recent years, WARN network meeting is held annually as a half day precursor event prior to the audiology Cymru National conference.

Key objectives for Welsh Audiology Research strategy: (add link to research strategy)

• To encourage Audiology workforce to participate in research and research related activities. 
• To promote understanding and implementation of evidence-based clinical practice in our services. 
• To develop a supportive team environment for staff undertaking research by enabling easier access to information, resources and peer support.  
• To establish a multi-professional Pan-Wales peer support network to allow sharing of research related ideas, information and experience.   
• To influence and inform the research setting agenda for guiding research-based activities. 
• To network with educational institutions and other health care teams to optimise opportunities for collaborative research projects. 
• To share outcomes from research projects in relevant meetings/platforms within audiology as well as in the wider health and social care settings.