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Audiology Degree

Audiology is a branch of science that studies hearing and related disorders.  As technology has advanced, treatments for hearing impairments have become more common and in-demand. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 4,300 audiologists in 2012.
Audiology can be a perfect occupation choice for individuals who want to help patients with hearing conditions. In addition to practicing in their field, audiologists can also explore careers in medical sales, administration, and even research. Audiology degree programs are offered by many accredited schools. To pursue a career in this field, a degree will be needed. Audiology programs are designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge and skills relevant to the discipline.



Bachelors in Audiology

Undergraduate programs in audiology are usually paired with pathology or speech language. Students will gain an overview of speech production, hearing, language, and voice.  The curriculum is both theoretical and practical in nature.  The coursework will also highlight the latest developments in audiology and how conditions such as autism are linked to audiology. Here are a few courses students will study:

  • Introduction to Human Communication and Its Disorders

This course will identify the causes, characteristics, and treatments of speech and hearing disorders. Students will learn about stuttering, adult aphasia, and dementia.

  • American Sign Language

In this course, students will cover the basics of American Sign Language (ASL). The course will emphasize on vocabulary development, skills of basic conversation, receptive and expressive skills, and dialogue.

  • Articulation and Voice Disorders

Students enrolled in this course will learn about the diagnosis and treatments of voice disorders. The course will help students explore different disorders, causation, and treatment options.

  • Basic Audiology

This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of speech audiometry, interpretation of audiometric data, pure-tone testing, and aural rehabilitation.
Students will also take part in practical coursework. They will learn how to perform audiometric testing and screening, and perform routing hearing evaluations. The practice-based sessions take place under the supervision of a coordinator or instructor in a lab-setting. Bachelor level audiology programs typically take four years to complete.

Masters in Audiology

Masters in audiology is a graduate level program that takes around 2 years to complete. The program is designed to provide students with a strong theoretical foundation of hearing sciences and practical competencies. Students in this program will learn how to diagnose and treat auditory-related impairments.
The curriculum of the program will focus on skill development and practice. Apart from theoretical learning in classrooms, students will be required to gain hands on experience through clinical practice. The curriculum may vary a little from place to place. However, some of the important courses covered are:

 

  • Anatomy and Physiology

This is a fundamental course that aims to equip students with a brief understanding of human body functions, cell structures, and mechanisms.

  • Hearing Devices and Rehabilitation

This course will help students learn about different hearing aid devices and methods of rehabilitation. The course will highlight different devices, their uses, and effectiveness.

  • Professional Practices Issues and Community Audiology

In this course, students will learn about the professional practices and ethical standards of audiologists and related occupations.

  • Clinical Audiology

This is a practice-oriented course that is covered in a lab-setting or a healthcare institution. Students will practically learn how to diagnose audiology impairments and conditions.
Students will be required to complete all assignments, exams, and research projects that are a part of the curriculum. Please remember that the audiology graduate programs requirements may vary from college to college.

PhD in Audiology

This degree is designed for students preparing to work as licensed audiologists in the United States. A PhD is the highest level of education one can receive in audiology or any other academic discipline. Doctor of audiology programs can take around 4-8 years to complete, depending on the institute and the student’s pace.
A PhD in audiology will focus on research, build theoretical knowledge, and make students participate in a clinical internship or residency program.
The first few years of the program are dedicated to classroom based learning and independent research studies. Students will learn advanced theoretical concepts and conduct a research project. The final phase of the program will include completion of a dissertation, which will reflect a student’s research findings and conclusion. Here are some of the courses studied:

  • Principles of Audiological Evaluation

In this course, students will learn about the advanced procedures used in speech audiometry and masking. The course will also highlight audiogram interpretation.

  • Basic Auditory Sciences

In this course, students will learn about the basic structure and function of auditory systems. Some of the topics covered in this course include frequency, nature of sound, auditory filtering, and pure tones.

  • Pediatric Auditory

This course is designed to provide students with an overview of pediatric issues in audiology.

Learning Objectives

  • Assess and diagnose hearing impairments
  • Identify and understand the use of implantable hearing devices
  • Develop research skills and teamwork skills
  • Evaluate and recommend hearing aids for adults and children with hearing disabilities
  • Build strong communication skills

Study Audiology Online

Audiology online courses are easily available at a number of accredited institutes. Students who cannot manage on-campus classes can opt for online learning instead. The coursework of an audiology degree online is covered via online lectures, videos, slideshows, etc. This mode of learning is flexible and cost-friendly.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements will vary from college to college. Students will need a high school diploma to enroll in a bachelor’s degree in audiology. Applicants for master’s degree will need a bachelor’s degree transcript, whereas a master’s degree will be needed to enroll in a PhD program. Other requirements may include letters of recommendation, personal essay, and meeting a minimum CGPA requirement.

Career Prospects

Individuals who have completed a PhD in audiology are eligible to apply for a professional license in their state. The requirements for licensing will depend on the state’s licensing board of audiologists.  According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, audiologists made a median annual income of $69,720 in 2012.

States with the highest employment level in this occupation:

State

Employment

Employment per thousand jobs

Location quotient

Hourly mean wage

Annual mean wage

California 16600.111.2618.1337720
Florida 11300.141.6817.9737370
Illinois 9600.161.9217.937240
Texas 7600.070.7816.6234570
New York 6500.070.8520.1241840

Source: bls.gov

Frequently Asked Question(s)

Q:What can I do with a masters in audiology?

A:With a masters degree in audiology, you can work in government organizations, in public or private hospitals, have your own private practice, in community organizations or in a research facility. The degree teaches you the theoretical, practical and clinical aspects of the science of audiology through course work, research project, practical assignments, internships and year end projects.

Q:What do I need to enroll in a bachelors in audiology program?

A:If you are planning to enroll in a bachelor degree in audiology, you will need a high school diploma or GED. You may also be required to meet a certain grade criteria. For example, some schools may only accept applicants who have earned at least a C+ in all high school subjects. Other requirements may include letters of recommendation. Please remember that the admission requirements basically vary from school to school.

Q:What careers can I pursue with a PhD audiology degree online?

A:There are a variety of job positions you may be eligible for with a PhD in audiology. Here are some of them: clinical audiologist, audiology faculty member, licensed audiologist, audiology director, clinical director, chief of audiology, and more. The income level, job duties, and licensing or certification requirements may vary from one job position to another.

Q:What do audiology degree programs teach?

A:An audiology degree program will teach you about the cleaning of the ear canal, fitting a hearing aid or cochlear implant, prescribing physical, occupational or speech therapy, referring patients to particular healthcare providers as per their needs and instructing patients in compensatory strategies such as lip reading or understanding sign language.

Q:What do I need to enroll in audiology graduate programs?

A:To enroll in a graduate program in the field of audiology, you must fulfill the admission requirements of the selected school. These requirements may vary. However, you will need to provide the official transcripts of your bachelor degree. Other requirements may include letters of recommendation, a minimum CGPA score, and work experience.

Q:What are some of the audiology online courses i can take?

A:There are certain audiology courses that you can take online. These include the likes of Introductory Audiology, where you will be taught the basics of hearing and physical systems involved in the hearing process; Aural Disorders and Treatment, where students are made to identify and treat hearing relating disorders; Language Acquisition and Patterns in Children, where students are exposed to universal benchmarks of human language development and Physiology of Speech Hearing, where the anatomical and physiological aspects of speech are studied.

Q:Can you give an overview of doctor of audiology programs?

A:With a doctor of audiology program, you will be exposed to advanced subjects in this particular field of healthcare. The program will last three to four years, and will provide you with extensive knowledge on skills in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing and balance disorders. As part of the program, you will most likely be required to complete extensive clinical training in various medical settings, including hospitals, medical and private practices, schools and community clinics.

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