Audiology is an area of endeavor that developed out of concern for people with speech and hearing disorders. Audiologists devote themselves to helping both children and adults overcome hearing problems. Because speech and hearing are so interrelated, Audiologists work closely with Speech-Language Pathologists, as well as with other professionals and as consultants to educational, medical and other professional groups. Audiologists concentrate on individuals with hearing problems - they assess the type and degree of hearing impairment, then plan, direct and conduct rehabilitation and training programs. Audiologists may advance to administrative or supervisory positions such as clinic director or coordinator of clinical services. They may also become professors or department heads in colleges or universities, or choose to engage in research activities. Professional mobility is generally based on experience, skills, and level of education. A person entering this work must have academic ability and intellectual curiosity. One must have an interest in people and the ability to approach problems with a scientific attitude. Another requirement is the ability to become involved with patients without letting them develop an unhealthy dependence.

A number of professional degree programs in Audiology are available. The American Speech-Language and Hearing Association certification requires doctoral level training that includes at least 2,000 hours of supervised clinical practice in addition to successful completion of a national exam. Pre-professional course work should provide a broad liberal arts background, including biology, anatomy, physiology, physics, general psychology, child and adolescent psychology, sociology and anthropology.

• 4 year Bachelors Degree
• Doctorate Degree

Employment of audiologists is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2010. Some job openings also will arise from the need to replace audiologists who leave the occupation. Employment in the health services industry will increase as a result of several factors. Because hearing loss is strongly associated with older age, rapid growth in the population age 55 and over will cause the number of hard-of-hearing persons to increase markedly. In addition, baby boomers are now entering middle age, when the possibility of neurological disorders and their associated speech, language, and hearing impairments increases. Medical advances are also improving the survival rate of premature infants and trauma victims, who then need treatment. The number of audiologists in private practice, though small, is likely to rise sharply by the year 2010. This growth is attributed to the increasing use of contract services by hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. Employment in schools will increase as elementary and secondary school enrollments grow. In 1986, Federal legislation guaranteeing special education and related services to all eligible children with disabilities, while originally designed for school-age children, was extended to include children from 3-5 years of age. This legislation will also increase employment in day care centers, rehabilitation centers, and hospitals.

Audiologists specialize in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing problems. Workers in other rehabilitation occupations include speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, recreational therapists and rehabilitation counselors.

$55,000

• Central Missouri State University
• Fort Hays State University
• Rockhurst University
• Southeast Missouri State University
• Southwest Missouri State University
• University Of Kansas Intercampus Program In Communicative Disorders

• American Academy Of Audiology
• American Speech-language-hearing Association