While you’re in undergrad, it’s a good idea to take courses in anatomy, physiology, and statistics. These courses provide a foundation of knowledge that will serve you well in your audiology program.
If you’re planning on taking some time to work before you get your doctorate, a master’s is also a good choice because you would have the ability to work as a speech-language pathologist, earning valuable experience in the field.
The American Speech-Language Hearing Association publishes a list of accredited audiology programs in the US. The list includes a website link and contact information for each program.
For example, if you want to work with kids, you might look for an externship at a school or a children’s hospital. The competition for some externships can be quite stiff, but your school has a lot of resources to help you get the most out of the application and interview process so you can find the externship that best suits your needs and interests. Externships aren’t paying positions, nor do they qualify as “experience” for your résumé. Rather, they’re required to get your doctoral degree.
The specific score you need to pass varies depending on the state where you want to practice. The American Academy of Audiology provides a list of state regulations you can use to compare requirements.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association provides contact information for each state’s licensing board.
Certifications are offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the American Board of Audiology.
Some of the tests audiologists administer are designed to measure the patient’s functional hearing as well as assess any nerve damage. Audiologists might have technicians to administer the specific tests, but they’re ultimately responsible for interpreting the results and making the diagnosis.
Audiologists can’t prescribe medications to treat hearing or balance issues, but they can refer patients to other specialists. They can recommend over-the-counter medications that might help relieve the patient’s symptoms. If the patient potentially needs surgery to correct their hearing or balance problems, an audiologist refers them to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeon. Audiologists don’t perform surgeries themselves.
In cases of severe hearing loss, audiologists might also coach patients on lip reading or the use of other assistive technology.
Most audiologists work full-time, but there are also part-time and contract audiologists. Contract audiologists typically work at several different facilities, so they spend a good deal of time traveling.
If you’re just thinking about a career in audiology and still have 8-10 years of school to finish, this is good news for you. By the time you graduate, the career will still be in high demand. You’ve picked a good time to get started!
