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What Do Audiologists Do?

Audiologists work with people who have hearing, balance, and related ear problems. They examine individuals of all ages, assess the nature and extent of problems, and help the individuals manage their hearing and ear problems. Using audiometers, computers, and other testing devices and advanced technology, audiologists evaluate and diagnose balance disorders, and they measure 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. Audiologists interpret these results and may coordinate them with medical, educational, and psychological information to determine a course of treatment. Audiologists identify types of hearing loss and work with people who have diminished hearing to recommend, fit, and dispense hearing aids.

Audiologists and speech-language pathologists often work together because some speech problems are a direct result of hearing problems.

To learn more about audiologists, go to: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/audiologists.htm

Where Do Audiologists Work?

Most audiologists work in healthcare facilities, such as physicians’ offices, audiology clinics, and hospitals. Some work in schools or for school districts, and travel between facilities. Others work in health and personal care stores.

How Much Do Audiologists Earn?

In 2022, the average annual income reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for audiologists in the United States was $89,490. The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) reports that, in 2023, audiologists in New York earned a median annual salary of $81,182 (audiologists in the 25th percentile made approximately $60,535 while those in the 75th percentile made approximately $100,212).

Supply and Demand

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of audiology jobs in the U.S. will increase by 10% between 2021 and 2031. The New York State Department of Labor projects that the number of audiology jobs in the state will increase by 30% between 2020 and 2030.

An aging population in the U.S. will increase demand for audiologists as hearing loss and balance impairments are strongly associated with older people. Medical advances also are improving the survival rate of premature infants and trauma victims, who may need assessment and treatment. In addition, technological advances in hearing aids may also drive demand for audiology services.

For more information on projections of audiologists by New York State labor regions, 2018-2028, click here.

New York Educational Requirements

In New York, a licensed audiologist must complete a minimum of a master’s degree in audiology. This includes studies in basic communication processes and professional and scientific areas of hearing and hearing loss.  They must also complete a supervised practice of at least 400 hours. In addition, New York licensed audiologists have satisfactorily completed nine months of supervised experience and passed a written, state-approved, licensing examination.

Audiologists can also earn a doctoral degree in audiology (Au.D.) in a graduate program typically lasting four years. Graduate coursework in audiology includes anatomy, physiology, physics, genetics, normal and abnormal communication development, diagnosis and treatment, pharmacology, and ethics. Graduate programs also include supervised clinical practice.

UPDATE: New audiologists must earn a doctorate in order to begin practicing. The doctoral degree in audiology (AudD) is a four-year graduate program that you can enter while having a bachelor’s degree in any field. In addition, Distance Learning programs are offered for a limited time to practicing audiologists who hold M.S. or M.A. degrees and who wish to advance to the Doctor of Audiology. As the profession completes the transition to the Au.D. and university programs restructure their curricula, these distance learning programs will be phased out.

New York Licensure Requirements

To be licensed as an audiologist in New York, an individual must receive a master’s or doctoral degree in audiology from an approved educational program. This includes studies in basic communication processes and professional and scientific areas of hearing and hearing loss, as well as a supervised practice of at least 300 hours. In addition, New York licensed audiologists have satisfactorily completed nine months of supervised experience and passed a written, New York State-approved licensing examination.

To meet the examination requirement for licensure, an audiologist must pass the Specialty Area test of the Praxis Series, Praxis II, administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) in New York.

Licensed audiologists are required by law to complete 30 hours of continuing competency learning activities every three years to main their licenses.

For more information on New York licensing requirements for audiologists, go to: http://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/audiology/license-requirements.

Financial Support

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association offers information about financial aide on their website. Go to: https://www.asha.org/students/financial-aid/

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation offers scholarships. For more information, go to: http://www.ashfoundation.org/grants/default.htm.

The American Academy of Audiology has a list of grants, funding, and scholarship information. Go to: https://www.audiology.org/foundation/our-work/scholarships-and-awards//.

The New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Association also has scholarships for students. Go to: http://www.nysslha.org/student-scholarships/.

Education Programs in New York (subject to change)

Note: Please click on each school’s name to learn about the school’s academic programs, which may include audiology, speech-language pathology, and speech-language-hearing sciences.

Additional Web Links

For more information about audiologists, go to the websites for:

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association http://asha.org/.

The New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Association http://www.nysslha.org/.

The American Academy of Audiology http://www.audiology.org/.
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