Audiology

Audiology is the branch of science that studies hearing, balance, and their disorders. The term was coined by Raymond Carhart. Its practitioners, who study hearing and treat those with hearing losses, are audiologists. Employing various testing strategies (e.g. hearing tests, otoacoustic emission measurements, and electrophysiologic tests), audiology aims to determine whether someone can hear within the normal range, and if not, which portions of hearing (high, middle, or low frequencies) are affected and to what degree. If an audiologist diagnoses a hearing losshe or she will provide recommendations to a patient as to what options (e.g. hearing aids, cochlear implants, surgery, appropriate medical referrals) may be of assistance.

Audiologist Occupation

Audiologists are licensed professionals who have a graduate degree (Masters, Au.D. or Ph.D.) in the hearing sciences and state/national licensure. Currently, audiologists have a clinical/educational background that emphasizes diagnostic testing, amplification technology, hearing science, and assistive device fitting. Audiologists may also specialize in pediatric diagnostics/amplification, cochlear implants, educational audiology, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, and/or industrial hearing conservation. Audiologists also dispense hearing aids.

Audiologists are also involved in the prevention of hearing loss and other communication disorders. Hearing Conservation programs in industry and government strive to prevent noise induced hearing loss through education and Audiologist intervention. Audiologists are often in charge of Newborn Hearing Screening programs designed to identify hearing loss within the first 3 months of life.

In the United States, 50 states license Audiologists and they all require a graduate degree, though some require a doctorate. Most are expected to require doctorates (Au.D.) in the near future. Other requirements include passing a national exam offered by Praxis Series of the Educational Testing Service, at least 375 hours of supervised clinical experience, and a full year mentored fellowship or supervised externship. 40 states have continuing education renewal requirements that must be met to stay licensed. Audiologists can also earn a certificate from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or seek certification through the American Board of Audiology.

In Australia Audiologists must hold a Masters in Audiology, have 2 years clinical experience and be registered with an approved body such as Audiology Australia or the Australian College of Audiology (ACAud) to provide hearing aids to eligible pensioners or eligible war veterans.

Hearing aid dispensers (Hearing Instrument Specialists) are professionals with at least a high school diploma and have 2 years of training/apprenticeship in hearing aids. Prior to 1984, hearing instrument dispensers fit all of the patients referred to them by audiologists who sent the patients with a prescription for hearing aids.

United Kingdom

There are 8 United Kingdomeducational institutions offering degrees in Audiology:

• University of Aston[1]
• University of Bristol[2]
• De Montfort University[3]
• University of Leeds[4]
• University of Manchester[5]
• Queen Margaret University College[6]
• University of Southampton[7]
• University of Wales Swansea[8]
• University College London[9]

See also

• Hearing Aid
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Audiometrist

External links

• American Academy of Audiology
• National Association of Future Doctors of AudiologyStudent Organization for future audiologists.
• Audiology OnlineNews, information and online education for Audiology.
• Audiology Info
• SLP/AUD Open Website Directory Project
• Canadian Academy of Audiology

• ACAud Australia
• Audiology Australia
• British Academy of Audiology

References

• Audiologist Occupational Analysis
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Associationde:Audiologie

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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audiology Wikipedia article Audiology.