Audiology

The Nature of the Work

Audiologists are specialists involved in the study of normal and impaired hearing, prevention of hearing loss, identification and assessment of hearing problems, and the rehabilitation of persons with hearing impairment. They perform services and activities which include the following:

• Measurement of hearing ability of children and adults
• Identification of presence and severity of hearing problems
• Provision of aural rehabilitation including counseling about handling communication situations at home, work, and school to reduce the effects of the hearing loss
• Sales and assessment of the benefit of amplification devices, such as hearing aids
• Instruction in the use of a hearing aid or other assistive listening devices to a variety of listening contexts
• Instruction in the care and maintenance of amplification and other assistive devices
• Design of rehabilitation programs to help persons learn to identify sounds heard
• Provision of speech (lip) reading training
• Collaborative consultation with teams of professionals, with individuals and families or caregivers on strategies and solutions to the communication needs of a child or adult with a hearing loss
• Administration and interpretation of screening, assessment, and diagnostic procedures such as air conduction, bone conduction, speech audiometry, acoustic imittance (impedance) tests, evoked potential tests, and electronystagmography
• Initiation of hearing conservation programs in industry and with the public to prevent hearing impairment from occupational or environmental noise exposure
• Consultation and expert witness testimony on environmental noise and occupational noise-induced hearing loss
• Initiation of clinical (applied) and/or basic research related to hearing loss and its effect

In addition to diagnosing and treating hearing impairment, audiologists may use their skills to:

• Train future professionals in colleges and universities
• Administer or manage agencies, clinics, or private practices
• Engage in research to study communication development disorders and design corrective and testing equipment
• Work with medical specialists, educators, engineers, scientists, and other allied health professionals and technicians

Work Sites

Audiologists provide services and work in many different types of facilities:

• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation Centers
• Centers for the developmentally disabled
• Private practice offices
• Colleges and universities
• Public and private schools
• Industry
• Home Health Agencies (home care)
• Long-term care facilities
• Health departments and community centers
• State and federal government agencies
• Research laboratories

Entry Requirements

For a career in audiology, one must have a aptitude in science and mathematics and a sincere interest in helping people. Patience, emotional stability, tact, and excellent communication skills are also essential. An audiologist must be resourceful, objective, and willing to study new techniques and electronic devices throughout his/her career.

During high school, prospective audiologists should consider a program with courses in biology, physics, mathematics and psychology. On the undergraduate level, a strong liberal arts focus is recommended with course work in speech and hearing, phonetics, semantics, linguistics, psychology, and the biological, and/or physical sciences. A program of study in audiology is not available at the undergraduate level. Typically, students obtain an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders which provides introductory course work in audiology. Graduate education to complete a degree in audiology includes course work and practicum experiences in the nature of speech, hearing, and language disorders; measurement and evaluation of speech production; language ability and auditory processes; clinical treatment of individuals with communication disorders; and audiology instrumentation and rehabilitation.

To practice in most work settings, audiologists must hold a clinical doctorate degree (Au.D.) and become certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) requires the successful completion of a specific program of coursework and practicum, a supervised Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY), and passing a national examination. Most states also require speech-language pathologists and audiologists to be licensed to practice. Licensure requirements are frequently identical to ASHA and CCC standards. In some work settings, such as college teaching, research, and private practice, a Ph.D. degree is desirable.

Earnings

Salaries of audiologists depend on their educational background, experience, work setting, and geographical location of employment. According to U.S. News and World Reports, December 17, 2007, the profession of Audiologist will be one of the "Best Careers of 2008." The national median salary is $64,500. Fringe benefits such as insurance and leave for these professionals are usually very good.

Working Conditions

Most audiologists work in clean, comfortable, air-conditioned surroundings. Those providing clinical services work with patients in testing and treatment rooms with equipment, materials, and supplies for identifying, evaluating, and treating hearing disorders. Audiologists frequently confer with speech-language pathologists, teachers, lawyers, physicians, psychologists, and social workers. Helping individuals improve their communication abilities is both a challenge and a satisfaction. An additional challenge is the constant need to learn about new technology for hearing measurement or assistive aids and to update knowledge through keeping current with research literature and continuing education periodicals and seminars.

Size of the Profession

There are more than 10,000 ASHA certified audiologists. These individuals hold many major positions in clinical, academic, and research fields. Additionally, there are an estimated 10,000 individuals who are licensed to provide services to the communicatively disordered and hearing impaired, or who work as aides or technicians.

Future Outlook*

The future of the audiology profession appears excellent. Employment of speech-language pathologists and audiologists is expected to grow much faster than the average (employment is projected to increase 36% or more between 1998 - 2008) for all occupations through the year 2008. Because hearing loss is strongly associated with aging, rapid growth in the population age 55 and over will cause the number of persons with hearing impairment to increase markedly. In addition, baby boomers are now entering middle age, when the possibility of neurological disorders and associated speech, language, and hearing impairments increases. Medical advances are also improving the survival rate of premature infants and trauma and stroke victims, who then need assessment and possible treatment. Federal law mandates that disabled children will receive free and appropriate public education. This means school districts are hiring or contracting with more audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Greater awareness of the importance of early identification and diagnosis of hearing disorders in infants and toddlers, the aging of the U.S. population, a growing number of young adults suffering hearing loss, and the concern over the prevention of occupationally induced hearing loss combine to paint a bright picture for future employment opportunities for audiologists.

*Information provided by the U.S Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistices.