Audiologist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An audiologist is the professional specializing in; testing, monitoring, and diagnosing disorders of the auditory and vestibular system portions of the ear; an audiologist diagnoses and treats hearing and (balance) problems. Most audiologists have received an Au.D. (Doctorate in Audiology), or a Master's or Doctoral degree from an accredited university graduate or professional program in audiology. All states require licensure, and audiologists may also carry national board certification (the CCC-A or the ABA).
Audiologists are trained to diagnose, manage and treat hearing or balance problems for individuals from birth through adulthood.
All states in the US license audiologists and require at least a master's degree (for the time being) and several hundred hours of supervised clinical experience. Starting in 2007, new audiologists will be required to get a doctoral degree (Au.D. or Ph.D.) in audiology before practicing.
The average salary for an audiologist is approximately $85,000 in the US. If audiologists are required to get doctoral degrees this may result in a shortage in the future which could push up the average salary higher.
Audiologist have important work in helping to design and implement personal and industrial hearing safety programs, and providing special fitting ear plugs and other hearing protection equipment to help prevent hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss is a process that degrades hearing, but can be alieviated by the assistance of an audiologist.
[edit] See also
- Sensorineural hearing loss
- Hearing Impairment
- Deafness
- Noise induced hearing loss
- Unilateral hearing loss
- Pre-lingual deafness
- Cochlear implant
- Auditory brainstem response (ABR)
- Otoacoustic emissions
- Electronystagmography (ENG)
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
- Dizziness
- Balance disorder
- Earplugs
- Noise pollution
- Hearing Aids
[edit] References
Audiology Online - Audiology news, careers, education and information
