Audiology is a rewarding, multifaceted career that offers professionals a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. As an audiologist, you have the power to help people of all ages and backgrounds to overcome hearing challenges so they can communicate, learn, and lead meaningful lives. With increasing demand for audiology services, now is an ideal time to consider a career in the field. This blog post will provide an overview of audiology careers, including the qualifications necessary to become an audiologist, available job roles, and the advantages of working in the field. We hope this post will give those interested in audiology careers a better understanding of the profession and the potential opportunities it presents.
What do audiologists do?
The primary duty of an audiologist is to identify and treat patients’ balance and auditory problems. While an audiologist’s day-to-day tasks may change depending on their career path, they typically involve:
What are audiology careers?
Careers in audiology focus on the needs of patients’ hearing, ear, and balance while providing healthcare services to them. These specialists perform examinations and tests on patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, in order to identify and treat their auditory issues. They might give advice on medicines, help patients get fitted for hearing aids, or provide rehabilitation services to those with hearing loss.
They can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, private businesses, and schools, or they can run their own practices. Professionals in audiology typically work full-time jobs, putting in at least 40 hours per week and possibly more to support the needs of their patients. Hearing screeners who visit schools and facilities are among the audiology professionals who frequently travel for work.
Job outlook for audiologists
Here are 10 career options to think about if audiology is something you’re interested in:
1. Clinical audiologist
A clinical audiologist examines patients to identify any issues with their hearing, balance, or ears. They treat patients of all ages or focus on a specific population, such as children or the elderly. Audiologists create individualized treatment plans after using a variety of tools and testing procedures. They might fit patients with cochlear implants or hearing aids, for instance, or they might clean out the ears and prescribe medication for minor ear and hearing issues. Audiologists may also offer counseling, such as teaching vertigo and other balance exercises, or they may refer patients to speech-language pathologists and other medical specialists for additional assistance.
A doctorate in audiology is necessary for a career as a clinical audiologist. Additionally, in order to practice in their state, these professionals must possess a license, which typically entails passing both a written and practical test as well as having the necessary education and work experience. To demonstrate their expertise, audiologists can also become certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or the American Board of Audiology. Certifications assist in demonstrating that a candidate is aware of and follows ethical and professional standards.
2. Pediatric audiologist
An audiologist who focuses on treating patients under the age of 21, from infants to teenagers, is known as a pediatric audiologist. These specialists can assist people and families identify hearing loss and other auditory issues early on and create treatment plans for them that may include cochlear implants, hearing aids, or specialized therapy. They can work for themselves in private practices, and some even visit hospitals to check the hearing of newborns. To practice, a pediatric audiologist needs a doctorate, state licensure, and a national certification.
3. Educational audiologist
Children receive auditory healthcare services from an educational audiologist, who focuses on how their educational environment meets their needs. They collaborate with teachers and administrators to create individualized education plans (IEP) for students and to increase accessibility. To ensure that these students can understand their teachers and other students, an educational audiologist fits them with additional hearing assistive technology. These students may require hearing aids or cochlear implants. Additionally, educational audiologists can make suggestions, such as how to alter classrooms for the best acoustics or how to offer assistance and counseling to students. To practice, they must adhere to the same standards as other clinical audiologists.
4. Humanitarian audiologist
An audiologist who works with people who lack access to medical care for their hearing needs is known as a humanitarian audiologist. These specialists examine, identify, and treat patients, as well as fitting them for hearing aids when necessary. They frequently work for non-profit organizations that offer healthcare services. In this line of work, they may work either part- or full-time and travel the world to assist people in need. Additionally, some audiologists might discover opportunities to offer their services in nearby nonprofit or free clinics. To practice, humanitarian audiologists must adhere to the same standards as other clinical audiologists.
5. Forensic audiologist
An audiologist who focuses on applying their knowledge to legal matters is known as a “forensic audiologist.” For instance, they might evaluate a person requesting compensation for hearing loss brought on by their place of employment. The forensic audiologist conducts diagnostic assessments to ascertain whether the person’s claim is accurate and justifies payment. They may testify in court regarding the methods used to evaluate the claimant and any conclusions or recommendations made in light of those findings. These experts maintain their objectivity by basing their judgment on the truth and their knowledge and experience in the field of audiology. Forensic audiologists are typically practicing or certified and licensed audiologists.
6. Corporate audiologist
A corporate audiologist frequently works for businesses that produce and market hearing aids or other technologies. Although they frequently have prior clinical experience, audiologist certification, and licensure, these professionals typically don’t see patients. They employ their expertise in audiology in a variety of ways, such as by supervising product clinical trials and offering suggestions and feedback during the product development process. Corporate audiologists may use their industry expertise to move into sales or marketing positions at businesses and assist in promoting these devices to audiologists.
7. Audiology assistant
Together with an audiologist, an audiology assistant assists in providing patients with medical care. They might work in medical practices, hospitals, or establishments that offer assistance and hearing tests. These specialists assist with patient care tasks like setting up and cleaning equipment, conducting hearing tests, documenting results and patient information, and giving advice on hearing aids or other treatments. Additionally, audiology assistants may handle office administration tasks like scheduling appointments, creating billing documents, and keeping track of office supply inventories.
Aspiring audiologists can start working as audiology assistants to gain relevant experience and understand the duties and daily responsibilities of the position. Most employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in a related field, though some may accept applicants with only a high school diploma or GED. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s program allows them to also pursue certification as an audiology assistant. Passing a test and specific educational, course, and clinical experience requirements are required for this certification.
8. Hearing aid specialist
Patients with hearing loss receive hearing aid solutions from a hearing aid specialist. Patients’ hearing abilities are evaluated, and molds of their ears are taken in order to fit them with devices. Hearing aid specialists may follow up with patients on a regular basis to make sure their devices are still functional and comfortable and to make any necessary modifications or repairs. These professionals are sometimes called hearing aid dispensers.
A high school diploma or GED is required for hearing aid specialists, though some employers may favor applicants with a two-year associate degree or experience from a registered apprenticeship. Gaining state licensure by passing a written and practical exam is necessary to work as a hearing aid specialist. In order to become professionally certified, they must also pass a national exam given by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences. Hearing aid specialists who wish to become licensed audiologists may later pursue a doctorate in audiology.
9. Hearing screener
A hearing screener tests patients hearing abilities. These specialists evaluate patients using a variety of tools and tests, and they have the option to refer them to an audiologist for additional testing. Some hearing screeners examine newborns soon after birth, while others examine kids in schools. They can also work full-time providing testing services at medical facilities or offices of doctors.
A high school diploma or GED is the minimum education requirement for this position. Licensed audiologists typically train hearing screeners, and some employers might favor applicants who have certifications in audiology or hearing assessment. The National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management offers training and certification for people who want to specialize in newborn hearing tests.
10. Professor
Additionally, audiologists can work in the field of education as professors or assistant professors of audiology. Students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in audiology and other clinical fields are trained by these professionals. Depending on their position or institution, they might oversee students’ clinical work and provide them with guidance and mentoring.
Candidates for audiology professor positions at four-year colleges and universities are frequently required to hold a doctorate in the field as well as certification and licensure to practice this profession. A master’s degree or higher in audiology is required for professionals to apply for adjunct or assistant professor positions.
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Audiologist Salary (2020) – Audiologist Jobs
FAQ
What is a career in audiology?
Careers in audiology focus on the needs of patients’ hearing, ear, and balance while providing healthcare services to them. These specialists perform examinations and tests on patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, in order to identify and treat their auditory issues.
Is audiology a good career choice?
due in part to the U.S.’s growing older adult population, S. , the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that audiology jobs will grow by 21 percent from 2016 to 2026, making it one of the fastest-growing professions in the U S. Furthermore, audiology was ranked as the fourth-least stressful profession in the nation by a recent CareerCast survey.
Are audiologists in high demand?
Job Outlook From 2020 to 2030, it is predicted that the number of audiologists will increase by 16 percent, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Over the next ten years, there are expected to be, on average, 800 openings for audiologists.
Is it hard to get a job as an audiologist?
Between 2019 and 2029, there will be a faster-than-average growth in the number of audiology jobs. The increase will be about 13 percent during that time, which is higher than the average job growth rate of 4 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
