What is an audiologist?

According to the American Academy of Audiology, audiologists are primary health care professionals who “evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss and balance disorders in adults and children.” These doctors of audiology (Au.D.) can work in a wide range of environments, including ear-nose-throat offices, schools, universities, hospitals and private practices. Licensure requirements for audiologists vary by state, but once the requirements are met, audiologists may treat patients ranging in age from infants to adults. Some of an audiologist’s most important responsibilities include:

• Prescribing and fitting hearing aids
• Recommending personal amplification systems and devices
• Assisting with cochlear implants
• Testing a patient’s hearing by measuring “the loudness at which a person begins to hear sounds, the ability to distinguish between sounds, and the impact of hearing loss on an individual's daily life” (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• Designing hearing protection programs for schools and the workplace; conducting newborn hearing assessments
• Performing hearing-related surgical monitoring
• Providing “hearing rehabilitation training, such as auditory training, speech reading, and listening skills improvement” (American Academy of Audiology)
• Researching treatments for hearing- and balance-related disorders

The AAA suggests that audiologists are able to treat nearly all forms of hearing loss. In cases of hearing loss caused by nerve damage, an audiologist may use hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and hearing rehabilitation to maximize the patient’s hearing capabilities.

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