How to Become a Professional Audiologist – Perhaps working as an audiologist will suit your interests in working with sound and helping individuals make the most of their hearing. In the US and around the world, there is a great demand for healthcare experts who can identify and treat balance and hearing issues. Discover what you must do to launch a rewarding audiology profession by reading on.
Things to Be Aware Of
- To become an audiologist, obtain a bachelor’s degree and then a doctorate in audiology (AuD).
- After completing your PhD degree, you must pass the Praxis exam to obtain a licence in the state where you wish to work.
- Become a member of professional organisations and earn any available credentials to improve your chances of getting the job you want.
- Depending on your location and working conditions, an audiologist can make roughly $78,950 per year.
Education
undergraduate degree
Prior to enrolling in any audiology school, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree. It doesn’t matter what you major in, however the majority of audiologists choose a discipline like biology or speech-language pathology that is closely related to audiology. [1]
It’s a good idea to study anatomy, physiology, and statistics classes when you’re an undergrad. These classes give you the knowledge you need to succeed in your audiology programme.
master’s diploma (optional)
Prior to earning your PhD in audiology, a master’s degree is not necessary, although it can be useful and make you stand out from other audiologists. Before beginning your PhD, you can gain some clinical experience with a master’s in speech-language pathology. [2] A master’s degree is a fantastic option if you intend to work while pursuing your doctorate because it would allow you to practise as a speech-language pathologist and get important professional experience.
the doctorate (AuD or Ph.D.)
You can enter the doctor of audiology degree straight out of undergrad and it is intended to last 4 years. Foundational classes on acoustics, aural therapy, hearing issues, and balance disorders are offered in the first two years. Also, you’ll learn how to identify and treat a variety of hearing and balance impairments as well as how to test hearing, amplify sound, and test hearing. Much of the last two years have been spent on research and clinical practise. [3]
A list of US audiology programmes with accreditation is published by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Every programme on the list has a website link and contact details.
externship in a hospital
The final year of your PhD degree is dedicated to your clinical externship, which offers you the chance to put everything you’ve learned into practise while working with actual patients. To get a desirable job, you’ll normally start applying in your third year. Choose an externship that specialises in the area in which you want to specialise. [4]
For instance, you can opt for an externship at a school or a children’s hospital if you want to work with children.
Although there may be intense competition for some externships, your school has many resources to support you in maximising the application and interview processes in order to discover the externship that best meets your requirements and interests.
Externships do not count as “experience” on your resume and are not paid positions. Instead, you must complete them in order to earn your doctorate.
