Audiologist

Alt Names: Licensed Audiologist, Doctor of Audiology, Hearing Instrument Specialist

Career Description

Audiologists are responsible for evaluating, diagnosing, treating, and managing people who have hearing, balance, and/or other ear related issues. They are also authorized to fit, test, and supply hearing aids to patients should they require them.

Job Responsibilities

• Examine patients who have hearing, imbalance, or any other difficulties with their ears

• Assess and administer treatment

• (treatments may include) fitting, testing, and supplying hearing aids for patients

• Keep tabs on patients (during and after treatment) for progress

• Help patients and their families find alternative ways to communicate with loved ones (sign language, lip reading, etc)

• Conduct research to stay on top of latest technologies, and to find out about latest research studies in causes and treatments of hearing and balance disorders

Education & Training

• Completion of accredited 4 years of college (Bachelors degree)

• Earn Doctoral degree in Audiology (Au.D or PhD)

• Minimum of 1,820 hours of supervised clinical practice

License and/or Certification

• MUST earn license in all states in order to work

• Can earn Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) – Offered by American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

• Can earn credential from American Board of Audiology

Salary

2010 Median salary $66,660* [Source: www.bls.gov]

Valuable Skills & Qualities

This occupation is good for people who are:

• Organized
• Empathetic
• Decisive
• Interested in developing psychomotor skills
• Trustworthy

Work Environment/Setting

Ear, Nose, & Throat clinics, Private Practices, Hospitals, School Systems including colleges and universities, VA Hospitals