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Audiology

Audiologists are professionals specializing in the study of normal and impaired hearing, including the prevention of hearing loss, identification and assessment of hearing problems, and the rehabilitation of persons with hearing impairment. Daily duties include conducting ear examinations, training clients in speech and lip reading, measuring noise levels in work settings, and teaching individuals to use hearing aids or other helpful devices. An audiologist sees all types of hearing-impaired individuals - from children born with auditory abnormalities to elderly individuals just beginning to adjust to hearing loss. They frequently work with medical specialists, educators, engineers, scientists, and other health professionals in a variety of work settings.

An audiologist may work in a hospital, physician's office, or in a speech-language pathology/audiology clinic. They may also be hired by home health agencies to assist the elderly, or work in schools to help children with hearing problems. Some audiologists may choose private practice and open their own office, or contract their services to hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and industrial companies. The majority of audiologists are employed on a full-time basis and work close to 40 hours a week.

To be a practicing audiologist requires at least a master's degree. A doctoral degree (either Ph.D. or Au.D.) will be required by 2012 for certification although many programs are moving towards a doctoral degree sooner. Additional requirements include a significant number of hours of clinical work, passing a national examination, and fulfilling a postgraduate requirement of experience in the field. Over 200 colleges and universities have audiology master's programs. The American Speech-Language-hearing Association certifies competent individuals by awarding the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), and certain states have an established licensing requirement for audiologists. A PhD is almost always needed for audiology positions in colleges, universities, and some hospitals.