What is an Audiologist?

An audiologist is a person who has a masters or doctoral degree in audiology. Most Audiologists today have a clinical doctorate. This has been the entry level degree for the past 5 years. Doctors of Audiology (Au.D.) have extensive training academically and clinically. Audiology is the science of hearing. In addition, the audiologist must be licensed or registered by their state to practice audiology, after obtaining over 2000 supervised hours of clinical experience.

Audiologists are health-care professionals who evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders. An Audiologist is a person who has a minimum of a masters or doctoral degree in Audiology. The Clinical doctorate has been the entry level degree since approximately 2008. Individuals with a Doctor of Audiology, or Au.D., have extensive training academically and clinically. Audiologists must licensed in the state they practice and can have a certificate of clinical competence in Audiology by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association, or CCC-A.

• prescribe and fit hearing aids
• bill insurances for medically necessary diagnostic testing and for hearing aids when the individual has a policy with a benefit
• assist in cochlear implant programs
• perform ear- or hearing-related surgical monitoring
• design and implement hearing conservation programs and newborn hearing screening programs
• provide hearing rehabilitation training such as
• auditory training
• speech reading
• listening skills improvement