What Does it Take to Become an Audiologist?
Audiologists are individuals who help treat patients with hearing, balance and other ear problems. Hearing problems that an audiologist deals with can be caused by genetic disorders, premature birth, infections, medications and loud noises. Treatments provided by an audiologist can include ear canal cleaning, programming cochlear implants and prescribing hearing aids. Some audiologists work in a private practice, while others work in a hospital setting.
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Degree Program
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The minimum degree required by law for becoming an audiologist in the United States is a master's degree in audiology, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, most employers require audiologists to have at least a doctoral degree in audiology. Doctoral degree programs in audiology take four years to complete and award graduates the Au.D. credential upon completion. To obtain an audiology license, many states require individuals to complete a doctoral degree program that's accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Not all audiology doctoral degree programs are accredited in the United States, which makes it important for students to check for accreditation before enrolling. As of 2009, there were 70 audiology doctoral degree programs in the United States.
Admissions & Curriculum
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Accredited doctoral degree programs in the United States require applicants to complete coursework in physics, math, English, biology, chemistry, communication and psychology as an undergraduate. After being accepted to a doctoral degree program, doctoral students will complete coursework in normal and abnormal communication development, genetics, physiology, pharmacology, diagnosis and treatment.
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License
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All 50 states require audiologists to hold a license and 18 states require individuals to hold a doctoral degree by law instead of a master's degree, which all states require. Additional licensing requirements vary from state to state. Audiologists must contact the medical board of the state they wish to practice in to find out what its licensure requirements are. Some states require audiologists who want to dispense hearing aids to obtain an additional license on top of their general audiology license. In addition, many states require audiologists to complete continuing education courses to maintain their certification throughout their career.
Certification
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Although not required by law, some audiologists choose to pursue the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology that's available from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Audiologists can also pursue board certification from the American Board of Audiology. Obtaining these certificates can help an audiologist with career advancement.
Salary
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The median salary in 2008 in the United States for audiologists was $62,030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10 percent of audiologists were paid over $98,880.
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References
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