What is an Audiologist?

An audiologist is the hearing health-care professional who is educated and trained to evaluate and treat hearing, balance and related disorders.

Audiologists hold either a master's or doctor's degree and have earned the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the Americal Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the national professional, scientific and accrediting organization responsible for certifying audiologists.

If you would like more information, please call  800/638-3255  or write ASHA at 10801 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852.

What Services Do Audiologists Provide?

Audiologists assiss the extent of hearing loss, balance and related disorders and recommend the appropriate treatment, including aural rehabilitation, hearing aids and other amplification devices.

Audiologists' services include:

• Testing and diagnosing hearing and balance disorders in infants, children and adults
• Educating consumers and professionals on the prevention of hearing loss
• Selecting, fitting and dispensing hearing aids and assistive listening, alerting and captioning devices
• Consulting and administering help through hearing conservation programs in industry to prevent workplace-related and recreational hearing loss
• Consulting to federal, state and local agencies on reducing community noise
• Conducting research into environmental influences on hearing, new testing methods and new rehabilitative devices--such as cochlear implants
• Working with adults and children who need aural rehabilitation, such as auditory training and speechreading

With the help of a certified audiologist, people with hearing problems can receive treatment that can lead to better hearing.

Treatment for hearing problems is the best it has ever been and it keeps getting better....

Where Can I Find an Audiologist?

Audiologists provide professional services in many different places, including:

• public and private schools
• colleges and unifersities
• private practice
• hospitals
• community hearing and speech centers
• rehabilitation centers
• nursing care facilities
• industry
• state and local health departments
• state and federal governmental agencies