Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences

Audiology Fact Sheet

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
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 individuals and families or caregivers on strategies and solutions to the communication needs of a person 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 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 effects

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; and engage in research to study communication development disorders and design corrective and testing equipment. They frequently 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
College and university clinics
Public and private schools
Industry
Home health agency (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 high aptitude in science and mathematics and a sincere interest in helping people. Patience, emotional stability, tact, and excellent communication skills are also helpful. 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. One the undergraduate level, a strong liberal arts focus is recommended, with course work in speech and hearing, phonetics, semantics, linguistics, psychology, and/or the biological and physical sciences.

A program of study in audiology is not usually available at the undergraduate level. More 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 doctoral degree (AuD or PhD) and become certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) requires the successful completion of a specific program of course work 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 the ASHA CCC standards. In some work settings, such as colleges, universities, or hospitals, a Ph.D. degree may be desirable.

Earnings

Salaries of audiologists depend on their educational background, experience, work setting, and geographical location of employment.The median annual salary for ASHA-certified audiologists in 2006 was $65,000. Audiologists with doctoral degrees earned median salaries of $68,000 (AuD) and $90,000 (PhD), in 2006. 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

In 2006, there were over 12,000 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. Federal law, dictating that disabled children will receive free and appropriate public education, means that 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 prevention of occupationally induced hearing loss combine to paint a bright picture for future employment opportunities of audiologists.