Employment growth will be spurred by the expanding population in older age groups that
are prone to medical conditions that result in hearing problems.
More than half worked in health care facilities; many others were employed by educational services.
A master’s degree in audiology has been the standard credential; however, a clinical
doctoral degree is becoming more common for new entrants and is expected to become the new standard for the profession.
Audiologists work with people who have hearing, balance, and related ear problems.
They examine individuals of all ages and identify those with the symptoms of hearing
loss and other auditory, balance, and related sensory and neural problems. They then
assess the nature and extent of the problems and help the individuals manage them.
Using audiometers, computers, and other testing devices, they measure the loudness at
which a person begins to hear sounds, the ability to distinguish between sounds, and
the impact of hearing loss on an individual’s daily life. In addition, audiologists
use computer equipment to evaluate and diagnose balance disorders. Audiologists interpret
these results and may coordinate them with medical, educational, and psychological
information to make a diagnosis and determine a course of treatment.
Hearing disorders can result from a variety of causes including trauma at birth,
viral infections, genetic disorders, exposure to loud noise, certain medications, or
aging. Treatment may include examining and cleaning the ear canal, fitting and
dispensing hearing aids, and fitting and programming cochlear implants. Audiologic
treatment also includes counseling on adjusting to hearing loss, training on the use of
hearing instruments, and teaching communication strategies for use in a variety of
environments. For example, they may provide instruction in listening strategies.
Audiologists also may recommend, fit, and dispense personal or large area amplification systems and alerting devices.
In audiology (hearing) clinics, audiologists may independently develop and carry
out treatment programs. They keep records on the initial evaluation, progress, and
discharge of patients. In other settings, audiologists may work with other health
and education providers as part of a team in planning and implementing services
for children and adults, from birth to old age. Audiologists who diagnose and
treat balance disorders often work in collaboration with physicians, and physical and
occupational therapists.
Some audiologists specialize in work with the elderly, children, or hearing-impaired
individuals who need special treatment programs. Others develop and implement ways to
protect workers’ hearing from on-the-job injuries. They measure noise levels in
workplaces and conduct hearing protection programs in factories, as well as in schools and communities.
Audiologists who work in private practice also manage the business aspects of
running an office, such as developing a patient base, hiring employees, keeping
records, and ordering equipment and supplies.
A few audiologists 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.
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 patients and their families may be demanding.
Most full-time audiologists work about 40 hours per week, which may include weekends
and evenings to meet the needs of patients. Some work part time. Those who work on
a contract basis may spend a substantial amount of time traveling between facilities.
Audiologists are regulated in 49 States; all require that individuals have at least a
master’s degree in audiology. However, a clinical doctoral degree is expected to become
the new standard, and several States are currently in the process of changing their regulations
to require the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree or equivalent. A passing score on the
national examination on audiology offered through the Praxis Series of the Educational
Testing Service also is needed. Other requirements typically are 300 to 375 hours of
supervised clinical experience and 9 months of postgraduate professional clinical experience.
Forty-one States have continuing education requirements for licensure renewal. An additional
examination and license is required in order to dispense hearing aids in some States.
Medicaid, Medicare, and private health insurers generally require practitioners to be
licensed to qualify for reimbursement.
In 2005, there were 24 master’s degree programs and 62 clinical doctoral programs
offered at accredited colleges and universities. Graduation from an accredited program
may be required to obtain a license. Requirements for admission to programs in audiology
include courses in English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, psychology, and
communication. Graduate course work in audiology includes anatomy; physiology; physics;
genetics; normal and abnormal communication development; auditory, balance, and
neural systems assessment and treatment; diagnosis and treatment; pharmacology; and ethics.
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,
audiologists will need to have a bachelor’s degree and complete 75 hours of credit
toward a doctoral degree in order to seek certification. As of 2012,
audiologists will have to earn 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 2007, all
applicants must earn a doctoral degree in audiology.
Audiologists should be able to effectively communicate diagnostic test
results, diagnoses, and proposed treatments in a manner easily understood by
their patients. They must be able to approach problems objectively and
provide support to patients and their families. Because a patient’s progress
may be slow, patience, compassion, and good listening skills are necessary.
Audiologists held about 10,000 jobs in 2004. More than half of all jobs were
in offices of physicians or other health practitioners, including audiologists;
in hospitals; and in outpatient care centers. About 1 in 7 jobs was in educational
services, including elementary and secondary schools. Other jobs for audiologists
were in health and personal care stores, including hearing aid stores; scientific
research and development services; and State and local governments.
A small number of audiologists were self-employed in private practice.
They provided hearing health care services in their own offices or worked
under contract for schools, health care facilities, or other establishments.
Employment of audiologists is expected to
grow about as fast as the average for all
occupations through the year 2014. Because hearing loss is strongly associated
with aging, rapid growth in older population groups will cause the number of persons
with hearing and balance impairments to increase markedly. Medical advances are
also improving the survival rate of premature infants and trauma victims, who then
need assessment and possible treatment. Greater awareness of the importance of early
identification and diagnosis of hearing disorders in infants also will increase
employment. Most States now require that all newborns be screened for hearing
loss and receive appropriate early intervention services.
Employment in educational services will increase along with growth in elementary
and secondary school enrollments, including enrollment of special education students.
The number of audiologists in private practice will rise due to the increasing demand
for direct services to individuals as well as increasing use of contract services by
hospitals, schools, and nursing care facilities.
Growth in employment of audiologists will be moderated by limitations on insurance
reimbursements for the services they provide. Additionally, increased educational
requirements may limit the pool of workers entering the profession and any resulting
higher salaries may cause doctors to hire more lower paid ear technicians to perform
the functions that audiologists held in doctor’s offices. Only a few job openings for
audiologists will arise from the need to replace those who leave the occupation, because
the occupation is small.
Median annual earnings of audiologists were $51,470 in May 2004. The middle 50
percent earned between $42,160 and $62,210. The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$34,990, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $75,990.
According to a 2004 survey by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association,
the median annual salary for full-time certified audiologists who worked on a
calendar-year basis, generally 11 or 12 months annually, was $56,000. For those
who worked on an academic-year basis, usually 9 or 10 months annually, the median
annual salary was $53,000. The median starting salary for certified audiologists
with one to three years of experience was $45,000 on a calendar-year basis.
State licensing boards can provide information on licensure requirements.
State departments of education can supply information on certification requirements for those who wish to work in public schools.
General information on careers in audiology is available from:
American Academy of Audiology, 11730 Plaza America Dr.,
Suite 300, Reston, VA 20190. Internet:
http://www.audiology.org
Career information, a description of the CCC-A credential,
and a listing of accredited graduate programs, is available from:
Suggested citation:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition,
Audiologists, on the Internet at
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos085.htm
(visited June 21, 2006).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections
Suite 2135
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20212-0001
