Audiologists
Audiologists work with patients of all ages. When someone experiences hearing, balance, or other neural ear problems, they are usually referred to an audiologist for evaluation and treatment. They utilize computers, audiometers, and other equipment to measure the ability to hear sounds and at what level, the ability to distinguish between sounds, and the effects of the hearing or balance problems on the individual's lifestyle.
Duties, Activities, and Scope of Practice
The audiologist interprets the results of these tests and determines a course of treatment, which can include such things as hearing aids, cochlear implants, or just simple cleaning of the ear canal. They then tune the hearing aids or implants and instruct patients in their care and maintenance.
Fact
Hearing and balance disorders can result from illness (especially when high fever or inner-ear infection is involved), or injury to the ear — both physical or from a loud noise or explosion. They can also result from birth defects, the use of certain medications, or simply aging. Premature babies may have poorly developed hearing systems, and are often prone to hearing problems related to the noise effects of incubators. Most states now require screening of newborns as well as mandate early intervention if problems are detected.
Audiologists also work with patients to improve hearing problems that don't respond completely to aids or implants. They teach lip-reading and other techniques to maximize communication. They may recommend amplifiers or light systems for such things as telephones, doorbells, and other alerting devices.
Education and Training
A master's degree is the current standard; however, by 2007 a doctoral degree will be required to seek certification. There are 107 accredited colleges or universities in the United States that offer programs in audiology. The curriculum includes English, math, communication sciences, chemistry, physics, biology, and psychology. The graduate courses include genetics, normal and abnormal communication, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, ethics, and assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of the auditory, balance, and neural systems.
Licensure/Certification
Audiologists can become certified in two different manners. The first is by earning a CCC-A (Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The candidate must have completed a graduate degree and 375 hours of supervised clinical experience, as well as complete a nine-month postgraduate internship and pass the Praxis Series Exam in audiology. This exam is administered by the Educational Testing Service.
The American Board of Audiology also certifies audiologists who have completed an accredited graduate degree, passed a national examination, and performed 2,000 hours of professional practice under the supervision of a certified audiologist within a two-year period.
All certified audiologists must apply for renewal every three years and must have completed forty-five units of continuing education in that three-year period. By 2007, all applicants must have a doctoral degree to become certified.
Work Settings and Salaries
In 2004 there were about 10,000 jobs for audiologists according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Most of those jobs were in hospitals, clinics, health care centers, physicians' offices, and outpatient care centers. Approximately one in seven jobs was in educational services, such as elementary and secondary schools.
Most audiologists work full-time and some cover weekend and evening hours to meet the needs of patients. Those who work in educational settings usually work an academic calendar year.
Salaries for those working in educational services were somewhat lower than for other audiologists. The educational median salary in 2004 was $53,000, and for others it was $56,000, according to a survey by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports salaries ranging from $34,990 to $75,990.
Career Potential and Additional Information
Many hearing, balance, and neural ear problems are related to aging, and as the population ages, the need for audiologists will continue to grow. Growth is expected to continue at a rate faster than the average for all occupations through 2014.
Educational systems are bound by federal law to provide access to special education and services for qualified students with disabilities. This will ensure a need for audiologists in the education system.
If you are interested in finding out more about careers in audiology, contact the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Their Web site is
