audiologist
How to Become an

Audiologist

The complete career guide to be an Audiologist: salary, job growth, employers, best schools, and education you may need to get started.
Table of Contents

Quick Degree Finder

Why We Love It

  • $77,420
    Potential Avg. Salary
  • 28%
    Job Growth Rate
  • Growing Demand
    Job Outlook
  • Don't Take Work Home
    Career Attribute

Audiologists are doctors who specialize in treating hearing loss and other ear-related problems. They test patients’ hearing, fit patients for hearing aids and other ear protection or amplification devices, and teach patients how to cope with hearing loss by teaching lip reading and sign language techniques.

Recommended Schools

What is an Audiologist?

The following job responsibilities are common for individuals in audiologist roles:

  • Operate audiometers to test patients for hearing loss
  • Recommend and fit patients for hearing aids and other hearing amplification devices
  • Teach patients how to protect their ears to prevent hearing loss
  • Teach patients with severe hearing loss how to cope by teaching sign language and lip reading skills
  • Diagnose and treat vertigo and other inner-ear diseases and issues

A Day in the Life

Audiologists commonly work with other ear, nose, and throat providers and treat patients who are suffering from hearing loss or other ear issues and diseases. When hearing loss is suspected, audiologists test patients to determine the extent of the hearing loss using specialized testing devices called audiometers. Audiometers play sounds at different frequencies, and by determining which sounds a patient is and isn’t able to hear, the audiologist is able to determine the extent of hearing loss and form a treatment plan for the patient.

Often, treatment for hearing loss is performed by fitting the patient for a hearing aid. Audiologists work with hearing aid manufacturers and distributors to select a variety of products to offer patients, and they explain the benefits and disadvantages of different devices to patients. Once a device is chosen, the audiologist takes measurements of the patient’s ear to order the device, and then teaches the patient how to use the device once it arrives.

Audiologists also diagnose and treat vertigo and other inner-ear diseases. Additionally, when patients are suffering from hearing loss that is too severe to be fully treated with hearing amplification devices, audiologists may teach patients how to cope by training them to speak and understand sign language, or by teaching them to read lips. Audiologists may specialize in treating children or seniors, or they may work with people over the entire course of their lives to ensure patients with hearing loss enjoy the highest quality of life using the most advanced hearing amplification devices.

Typical Work Schedule

For the most part, audiologists work full-time during normal business hours. However, part-time schedules may also be available, and some audiologists work evenings or weekends to accommodate patient schedules.

Projected Job Growth

Demand for audiologists is expected to grow significantly in the coming decade as a result of the aging Baby Boomer generation reaching ages where hearing loss is more common.

Typical Employers

Audiologists commonly work in private practices with other ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors. Some may also be employed by school systems, administering hearing tests to students, or they may work for pharmacies and other healthcare retail stores that administer hearing tests.

Recommended Schools

How To Become an Audiologist

The first step in becoming an audiologist is to earn a bachelor’s degree. At the undergraduate level, the major you choose to pursue is flexible. Many aspiring audiologists choose audiology-related majors—such as speech-language pathology or audiology—but those who attend colleges that do not offer audiology-specific bachelor’s degrees will be fine to pursue any other degree. However, you’ll want to make sure to take courses in biology, physiology, and math, regardless of your major.

After earning a bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to apply for and be admitted to a doctoral audiology (Au.D.) program. An Au.D. is the basic requirement for any audiologist. An Au.D. program is generally a 4-year degree program that combines both classroom and field study. Students will take courses in anatomy, physiology, genetics, diagnosis and treatment, pharmacology, and ethics, and will also spend time training under and assisting experienced audiologists in doctor’s offices.

After earning an Au.D., you’ll be prepared to seek work as an audiologist. Some states require audiologists to pursue additional certifications to become licensed as providers, so taking post-graduate exams to earn the appropriate credentials may be necessary. Most audiologists start off their careers working in offices owned by other providers—or working for schools or retail pharmacies—but with time and experience may be able to move on to own their own practices in the future.

Audiologist Salary Data

We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.

National Anual Salary

Low Range

$61,040

Average

$77,420

High Range

$111,450

National Hourly Wage

Low Range

$29/hr

Average

$37/hr

High Range

$54/hr

How do Audiologist salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Audiologist's can make an average annual salary of $77,420, or $37 per hour. On the lower end, they can make $61,040 or $29 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.

Salary Rankings And Facts

  • #153 Nationally for All Careers

  • Above Average Salary Nationally

Programs and Degrees

Here are the most common degrees for becoming an Audiologist. a is usually recommended and specifically a degree or coursework that prepares you for the particular field, see below.

Highest Education Among Audiologists

  • 50.3%   Doctorate
  • 32.8%   Masters
  • 8.2%   Bachelors
  • 2.8%   Associates
  • 3.2%   College
  • 2.7%   High School
  • 0%   Less than High School

Job Growth Projections and Forecast

2014 Total Jobs

13,200

2024 Est. Jobs

16,900

Job Growth Rate

28%

Est. New Jobs

3,700

How does Audiologist job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 3,700 jobs for a total of 16,900 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 28% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Above Average.

Growth Rankings And Facts

  • #18 Nationally for All Careers

  • Above Avg. Growth Nationally

What Companies Employ The Most Audiologists

Industry Current Jobs New Jobs Needed % Increase
Offices of physicians 3,300 700 1%
Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists 3,300 1,900 2%
General medical and surgical hospitals; private 1,300 100 0%

Similar Careers

Want To Be an Audiologist? Get Started!

Generate your free SmartPlan™ to identify colleges you like, and potential ways to save on a degree or certification program toward your career with courses, offers, and much more!

Enroll Now and Get Started

or Learn More →