Careers in Audiology

Audiology is a healthcare profession focused on hearing, balance, tinnitus, and related communication needs. Audiologists work with people throughout the lifespan in private practices, hospitals, universities, schools, research programs, industry, government, and other settings.

A career in audiology may appeal to students interested in science, healthcare, technology, counseling, and long-term patient relationships.

About the Au.D. Degree

The AuD is the designator for the professional doctorate in the discipline of Audiology and requires a 4-year post-baccalaureate program. The 4th year of training includes externship experiences and additional training opportunities.

Specific prerequisite coursework currently varies somewhat by institution. Prospective Au.D. candidates are advised to check with each institution to learn about requirements or prerequisites prior to applying.

In addition to a degree, most states have licensure requirements in order to legally practice. Individuals completing an Au.D. program should contact the Department of Health in their state to learn about the licensure requirement and any continuing education requirements to maintain the license.

Evolution of Audiology

Audiology was born out of the armed forces rehabilitation programs during and following World War II. Academicians from disciplines such as deaf education, speech pathology, psychology, and other scientific backgrounds invented the early testing, auditory training, and amplification protocols needed to meet the needs of thousands of WWII veterans with hearing loss. These events, combined with the concurrent development of the equipment necessary to evaluate hearing, formed the early seeds of the profession we know today as audiology.

Since the 1950s, Audiology has evolved into an independent healthcare profession with practitioners working throughout the United States in a wide range of clinical, educational, research, and business settings. Today’s audiology profession is defined by:

a desire for autonomous practice
doctoral-level academic training programs
the formation of an independent credentialing entity
a greatly expanded scope of practice
legislation to allow direct patient access to audiologists

Audiology has been largely influenced by the inclusion of hearing aid dispensing in the scope of practice. Originally, audiologists could recommend amplification, but could not dispense. In the early days of the profession, academic societies questioned the ethics of audiology practitioners who chose to combine hearing evaluation and hearing aid dispensing in their practices. The Academy of Doctors of Audiology was formed in 1976 as the Academy of Dispensing Audiologists to support those early pioneers who both recommended and fit hearing aids. The result was that audiologists moved beyond technician status; practices expanded to include both diagnosis and treatment.

The additional revenue provided by hearing aid sales resulted in more opportunities for independent practice. The trend continues to this day with more and more audiologists seeking autonomous professional status.

Nature of Work

Audiologists stand at the center of providing today’s hearing healthcare. They work with patients of all ages from newborns to centenarians who manifest hearing and balance disorders. Audiologists are skilled in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of hearing problems. They also fit and dispense hearing aids and other assistive devices, manage hearing loss prevention programs, provide tinnitus retraining therapy, perform cerumen management, participate in forensic audiology and evaluate auditory processing disorders. Audiologists are trained in the anatomical and physiological aspects of the auditory and vestibular system. They are adept at counseling older adults and their families about hearing loss as well as counseling the parents and teachers of children with hearing loss. Audiologists serve on multi-disciplinary teams with other healthcare professionals including physicians, physical therapists, optometrists, teachers, and speech-language pathologists and make medical referrals when necessary.

Providing Rehabilitation Services

Audiologists are responsible for developing a complete rehabilitation protocol for individuals who are experiencing hearing loss and for whom medical treatment is not warranted. Audiologists determine the appropriateness of amplification, specify which hearing instruments and circuits would be most appropriate, and plan a complete adjustment protocol to ensure patients will adjust to and benefit from amplification. Audiologists provide follow-up care at regular intervals by monitoring the patient’s adaptation to amplification, modifying the instrument for the environment in which it is worn, and checking for the accumulation of ear wax in the canals. Audiologists may also recommend assistive listening devices such as alerting systems, telephones and TV amplifiers.

Monitoring and Preventing Hearing Loss

Audiologists are strongly committed to preventing hearing loss and provide educational resources, hearing protection and counseling to patients who are concerned about workplace or hobby noise. Audiologists also provide services to employers who are required to implement a hearing conservation program to comply with OSHA regulations. Audiologists find creative hearing protection solutions for professionals (i.e. musicians, pilots, etc) who work in high noise environments but must be able to hear speech, music or warning signals within those environments. Audiologists fabricate ear protection for those who must, for specific medical reasons, prevent water from entering the ear canal such as while showering or swimming.

The Business of Audiology

Audiologists who choose to enter private practice and those who become managers are familiar with basic business practices. Particularly for the private practice business owner, audiologists may receive additional formal business training in law, accounting, and management. Audiologist owners network with other professionals such as CPAs, attorneys, bankers, and financial planners. Successful private practitioners are proactive and current concerning such matters as legislative issues, federal laws, reimbursement, HMO’s, insurance carriers and the federal healthcare system. They understand the concerns of business including how to read and interpret financial reports and heed the “bottom line”. There is a growing interest among audiologists in the private practice service delivery model. While business ownership is not for everyone, the rewards can be great for those seeking a career offering greater professional autonomy.

Working Conditions

The work environment of the practicing audiologist is most often medical-professional. Many audiologists work full-time schedules in professional healthcare or educational settings. Hours vary by workplace, and some positions may require evening, weekend, travel, or on-call availability.

Employment

Audiologists are owners, managers, employees and consultants in a variety of service delivery models including but not limited to:

Independent Private Practice
Otolaryngologist Based Practice
Hospital or Medical Clinic
State-funded Hearing or Rehabilitation Program
Educational Audiology – Public and Private Schools
Rehabilitation Facilities
Hearing Manufacturing Industry
Academic University and Research Based
Long-term Care Facilities
Consultant
Public Health Services
Armed Forces
HMOs
Industrial Hearing Conservation and Forensic Audiology

Educational Requirements

Admission prerequisites vary by institution, so prospective students should review the requirements of each program carefully. Audiologists must be licensed in every state, although specific requirements vary. Additional voluntary professional certification may also be available.

Job Outlook

Demand for audiologists is expected to remain strong as the population ages, awareness of hearing and balance health increases, and patients seek services across clinical, educational, research, public-health, and private-practice settings.

For current employment projections, median pay, workplace information, and educational requirements, consult the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for audiologists.