What is an audiologist?

Clinical audiologists are healthcare providers who measure and assess how well a person can hear sounds. They focus on treating people with hearing disorders. Audiologists often give people advice on:

• How language is learned and spoken

• The anatomy of the ear, brain, and nerves

• Causes of hearing loss

• Aural rehab. This includes ways for hearing-impaired people to improve how they speak and communicate.

• Hearing aids

• Lip reading and sign language

Audiologists give hearing exams. They test for middle ear disease. They treat people with balance problems, and they fit hearing aids. They work in different settings. These include:

• Hospitals

• Inpatient rehab centers

• Long-term care facilities

• Home health settings

• Schools

• Private practice

• State and federal government agencies

• Community clinics, such as community hearing and speech centers

• Colleges and universities 

Many audiologists have a master's degree. Some have a clinical doctorate degree in audiology. Audiologists are certified nationally. This is done by the American Speech Language Hearing Association. This group gives a Certificate of Clinical Competence-Audiology (CCC-A). Or the American Board of Audiology (ABA) may give the certification.