Audiology an Inspiring Career Choice

Audiology is an ideal profession for those who want to make a difference in people’s lives. Audiologists deal with hearing loss, hearing disorders, and balance disorders related to the ear. They also work to prevent hearing loss. An audiologist degree allows you to help restore the ability to communicate, which is an exciting and very fulfilling way of changing people’s lives for the better.

Would an Audiology Degree Be Good For Me?

Audiology is a great career for an individual with the right qualities. Do you enjoy talking with people? Are you a good listener as well? Are you good at noticing non-verbal clues when people talk to you? Do you do your work very accurately? Do you communicate well? Are you good at taking tests? Do you consider yourself a problem solver? Are you patient? Do you have compassion for others? Lastly, and most importantly, are you able to attend school for quite a few years? These are important factors in determining whether becoming an audiologist is right for you.

What Do Audiologists Actually Do?

As licensed medical professionals, audiologists work with people who have hearing disorders, and sometimes balance problems related to their hearing difficulties. They conduct tests and use diagnostic equipment to evaluate the patient’s level of hearing loss and try to determine its cause. Upon diagnosing the hearing problem, the audiologist will determine how to treat the disorder and create a plan for treatment. After testing to determine the type and the severity of the hearing loss, an audiologist can fit and dispense hearing aids and educates the recipient about using the hearing aids. Audiologists also work with cochlear implant patients, fitting the implants, tuning them, and providing the rehabilitation patients need to help them adjust to hearing with the implants.

What Kind of Work Environment do Grads with an Audiology Degree have?

Audiology Degree graduates usually work in an office setting or in a hospital. Some audiologists who specialize in pediatric hearing disorders work in schools. Most work a regular 40 hour week. Some audiologists specialize in specific types of hearing disorders, for example, hearing loss in the elderly, or children’s hearing disorders. Some audiologists have their own private practices, usually testing for, fitting and dispensing hearing aids. Average income for audiologists is about $68,000 annually, but this figure can vary widely based on location, experience, and specialty. In 2010, the lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,590, and the top 10 percent earned more than $102,210. Audiology is a relatively small field, with only about 13,000 audiologists working in the United States.

The Outlook for those with an Audiology Degree

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, New jobs in the field of audiology are expected to be created at a greater than average rate, largely due to the increase in the elderly population. As the number of elderly Americans grows, cases of hearing loss are projected to increase as well, resulting in the need for more audiologists to evaluate and treat their hearing problems.

What Are the Requirements to Become an Audiologist?

Audiologists must be tested and licensed by the state in which they practice. In most states, the requirement for testing and licensure is a Doctor of Audiology degree. A doctorate or PhD degree requires three to four years of study beyond the four year Bachelor’s Degree. It is possible to take online adiology programs from a variety of different online colleges. Upon earning the Doctor of Audiology degree, graduates must take and pass a national test before going on to obtain licensure in their states.

See Also:

Author Bio:

Rebecca Chang contributed this guest post for NHC Audiologists. Rebecca is a freelance writer with a longstanding career in healthcare. Her articles mainly appear on health and lifestyle blogs.