What is an Audiologist?

What is an Audiologist? (As defined by the American Academy of Audiology)

An audiologist is a licensed healthcare professional who diagnoses, evaluates, treats, and manages individuals with hearing loss or balance problems. Audiologists have received a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited university graduate program. Their academic and clinical training provides the foundation for patient management from birth through adulthood. Audiologists determine appropriate patient treatment of hearing and balance problems by combining a complete history with a variety of specialized auditory and vestibular assessments. Based upon the diagnosis, the audiologist presents a variety of treatment options to patients with hearing impairment or balance problems. Audiologists dispense and fit hearing aids as part of a comprehensive habilitative program. Audiologists may be found working in medical centers and hospitals, private practice settings, schools, government health facilities and agencies, as well as colleges and universities. As a primary hearing health provider, audiologists refer patients to physicians when the hearing or balance problem requires medical or surgical evaluation or treatment.

Education, Training, and Qualifications of Audiologists

Audiologists must have at least a master's degree in audiology to be licensed in the state of Florida. However, a doctoral degree will soon become the degree required. The professional doctorate in audiology (Au.D.) requires approximately 8 years of university training and supervised professional experience.

Audiologists can earn the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.