An audiologist is a healthcare professional that is focused on healthy hearing and balance. If you have hearing loss, they are your partner in better hearing. They work to help you better hear the world around you and live comfortably with tinnitus. They evaluate, diagnose, treat and manage balance disorders in people of all ages. Audiology is fast growing field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates job growth of 29 percent between 2014 and 2024. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it as a “Best Career” opportunity for many years. Traditionally, Audiologists earn a Doctor of Audiology (AuD) Degree. But they can attain other doctoral degrees such as PhD or ScD. In addition to obtaining an advanced degree, audiologists must be licensed in the state where they practice and participate in continuing education.

Audiologists change lives

Audiologists undergo extensive training so they can make a positive difference in the lives of the people they treat. Audiologists change lives for the better by:

  • Helping people understand how language is learned, processed and spoken
  • Evaluating if hearing loss affects a child’s ability to speak and learn
  • Assessing the health of their patient’s ears and auditory nerves
  • Identifying hearing loss
  • Providing therapy related to hearing loss and tinnitus
  • Fitting and programming hearing aids
  • Teaching lip reading, sign language and other communication techniques

You can find audiologists hard at work in a variety of settings. Look for audiologists in:

  • Private practices
  • Clinics
  • Hospitals
  • Universities
  • K-12 schools
  • Government, military and Veterans’ Administration hospitals.

Audiologists are technology experts

Audiologists are constantly researching and developing new technology to help people with hearing loss or tinnitus live life to the fullest. Recent technological advances include hearing aids so small they fit completely in the ear canal and cochlear implants. Audiologists have been instrumental in the development of visually-based alerting devices (ADs) to notify the hearing-impaired and deaf people of dangerous situations or special circumstances. These range from alarm clocks with strobe lights to pillow inserts that vibrate, as well as and fire and smoke alarms that provide a visual alert. Tinnitus treatment now includes masking devices and coping strategies developed by audiologists. No matter your age, audiologists are prepared to be your partner in better hearing and balance. Schedule an appointment with an audiologist in your area today and find out what they can do to improve your auditory health!