What Is an Audiologist?
What Is an Audiologist?
Audiologists are health care professionals who identify, assess and manage disorders of hearing, balance and other neural systems.
What does an audiologist do?
Helps patients ranging in age from newborns to older adults
Selects, fits and dispenses hearing aids and other listening devices
Helps prevent hearing loss by providing and fitting protective hearing devices and educating patients on the effects of noise on hearing
Aids in research pertinent to the prevention, identification and management of hearing loss, tinnitus and balance system dysfunction
What are the educational requirements to become an audiologist?
Audiologists earn a master’s degree in audiology from an accredited university. Today many audiologists have a doctorate in audiology (AuD).
Audiologists serve a fellowship or externship year and must pass boards to receive licensing and accreditation. Further, audiologists enroll in continuing education credits to fulfill licensing requirements.
Typically, audiologists achieve certification from the national association, ASHA, as well as state licensing (such as the Maryland State Board) in order to practice audiology. Audiologists can stay abreast of changes in the field through associations such as the American Academy of Audiology.
