What Is an Audiologist?
Audiology is a highly respected profession that was ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best careers in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Audiologists are the primary healthcare professionals who evaluate, diagnose, treat and manage hearing loss and balance disorders in adults and children. Audiologists:
- Evaluate and diagnose hearing loss and vestibular (balance) disorders
- Prescribe, fit and dispense hearing aids and other hearing assistance technologies
- Are members of cochlear implant teams
- Perform hearing-related surgical monitoring
- Design and implement hearing conservation programs
- Design and implement newborn hearing screening programs
- Provide hearing rehabilitation, auditory and listening skills training
- Assess and treat especially children with central auditory processing disorders
- Assess and treat individuals with tinnitus (noise in the ear, such as ringing in ears)
- Treat all types of hearing loss in the elderly, adults, teens, children and infants
Almost all types of hearing loss are treatable by an audiologist. An audiologist treats hearing loss caused by nerve damage with hearing aids, assistive listening devices and hearing rehabilitation. Audiologists work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, private practice, ENT offices, universities, K-12 schools, government, military, and Veterans’ Administration (VA) hospitals. Most audiologists earn a doctor of audiology (AuD) degree. Some earn a doctor of philosophy (PhD) or doctor of science (ScD) degree in hearing and balance sciences. Audiologists must be licensed or registered to practice in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
