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Speech Language Pathology Audiologist (Rehabilitation Professions) DID YOU KNOW? (click for more)
DESCRIPTION OF WORK:
Audiologists work with people who have hearing, balance, and related sensory and nural problems. They use audiometers, computers, and other testing devices to measure the loudness at which a person begins to hear sounds, the ability to distinguish between sounds, and the nature and extent of hearing loss. Audiologists use computer equiment to evaluate and diagnose balance disorders. They interpret these results and may coordinate them with medical, educational, and psychological information to make a diagnosis and determine a course of treatment.
Audiologists may conduct research on types of, and treatment for, hearing, balance, and related disorders. Others design and develop equipment or techniques for diagnosing and treating these disorders.
Mean annual salary for this position is $53,580.
WHERE EMPLOYED:
About one in seven of jobs for audiologists were in preschools, elementary and secondary schools, or colleges and universities. Others were in offices of speech-language pathologists and audiologists; hospitals; offices of physicians; speech, language, and hearing centers; home health agencies; or other facilities. Audiologists are more likely to be employed in independent health care offices, while speech-language pathologists are more likely to work in school settings.
A few are self-employed in private practice. They contract to provide services in schools, physician offices, hospitals, or nursing care facilities, or work as consultants to industry.
PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Speech-language audiologists usually work at a desk or table in clean, comfortable surroundings. The job is not physically demanding but does require attention to detail and intense concentration. The emotional needs of clients and their families may be demanding. Most full-time speech-language audiologists work about 40 hours per week; some work part time. Those who work on a contract basis may spend a substantial amount of time traveling between facilities.
Speech language pathologists should be able to effectively relay diagnostic test results, diagnoses and treatment in a manner easily understood by patients and families. They must approach problems objectively and be supportive. Because a patient`s progress may be slow, patience, compassion and good listening skills are necessary.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Of the states that regulate licensing (49 for audiologists), all require a master`s degree or equivalent. However, a clinical doctoral degree is expected to be the new standard, and several states are currently in the process of changing their regulations to require the Doctor of Audiology (Av.D) degree or equivalent. Audiologists can acquire the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. To earn a CCC, a person must have a graduate degree and 375 hours of supervised clinical experience, complete a 36-week postgraduate clinical fellowship, and pass the Praxis Series examination in audiology, administered by the Educational Testing Service. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, as of 2007, audiologisits will need to have a bachelor`s degree and complete 75 hours of credit toward a doctoral degree in order to be certified.
Audiologists may also be certified through the American Board of Audiology. Applicants must earn a Master`s or Doctoral degree in audiology from a regionally accredited college or university, achieve a passing score on a national examination in audiology, and demonstrate that they have completed a minimum of 2,000 hours of mentored professional practice in a two-year period with a qualified audiologist. Certificants must apply for renewal every three years. They must demonstrate that they have earned 45 hours of approved continuing education within the three-year period. Beginning in the year 2007, all applicants must earn a doctoral degree in audiology.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
About 24 colleges and universities offer masters level programs and 62 offer doctoral programs in audiology in the United States. Course work includes anatomy; physiology; basic science; math; physics; genetics; normal and abnormal communication development; auditory, balance and neural systems assessment and treatment; audiologic rehabilitation; and ethics.
Educational program types for this career.
EMPLOYERS:
Potential employers for this career.
LAST UPDATED:
9/9/2007 - Update
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