What is an Audiologist?
A university-educated specialist who diagnoses and treats hearing problems for individuals of all ages. Since 2007 audiologists are required to have a doctoral degree in audiology from an accredited university. Audiologists may also carry national board certification. All states require licensing.
An audiologist earns a master’s or a doctoral degree in audiology. All of the audiologists at the Maryland Hearing and Balance Center are licensed by the State of Maryland Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Speech-Language Pathologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers and are certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (CCC-A). Audiologists are trained hearing health professionals who: • Evaluate hearing using behavioral and objective (non-behavioral) test procedures • Identify hearing loss • Refer patients to otolaryngologists (ENTs) for medical or surgical management of hearing loss and ear disease • Determine need for hearing rehabilitation • Determine candidacy for hearing aids • Select and fit hearing aids • Evaluate the balance system The professional audiology staff at the Maryland Hearing and Balance Center is highly experienced in basic and advanced audiological test procedures for adults and children, hearing aid fittings for adults and children, and newborn hea
Audiologists are specialists in hearing health care who provide diagnostic (find out what is wrong) and rehabilitative services (provide care or help treat) to individuals with hearing and balance problems. Specifically, audiologists specialize in the prevention, detection, assessment, and rehabilitation of hearing and balance disorders. Many audiologists fit and dispense hearing aids and give instructions on the use and care of hearing aids. Many also are involved in programs that monitor and help prevent noise-induced hearing loss. Audiologists are involved in industrial hearing conservation programs and also serve as government consultants in areas such as noise abatement. Newborn baby hearing screening programs are also being developed in hospitals around the country to identify hearing impairments at an early age. Go to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for current information about a career as an audiologist.
Audiologists are health care and education professionals who identify, assess, and manage disorders of auditory, balance and other neural systems. Audiologists provide audiological (aural) rehabilitation to children and adults across the entire life span. Audiologists select, fit, and dispense amplification systems such as hearing aids and related devices. Audiologists prevent hearing loss through the provision and fitting of hearing protective devices, consultation on the effects of noise on hearing and consumer education. Audiologists are involved in auditory and related research pertinent to the prevention, identification, and management of hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance system dysfunction. Audiologists serve as expert witnesses in litigation related to their areas of expertise.
An audiologist is a professional who diagnoses, treats, and manages individuals of all ages with hearing loss, tinnitus, and/or balance problems. Audiologists will determine appropriate treatment of your hearing and/or balance problems by combining a complete history with a variety of specialized assessments and can dispense and fit hearing aids as a part of a comprehensive hearing rehabilitation program. Audiologists are found working in medical centers and hospitals, private practice settings, schools, government health facilities and agencies, colleges, and universities. As a primary hearing health care provider, audiologists refer patients to physicians when the hearing or balance problem requires medical or surgical evaluation or treatment.
