Audiologists specialize in helping people with hearing and balance disorders. Audiologists measure the hearing ability of adults and children, provide treatment for communication difficulties due to hearing loss, assess and fit amplification devices, administer and interpret assessment and diagnostic procedures related to balance and hearing, and serve as consultants to government and industry on environmental and noise-induced hearing loss. Audiologists are able to initiate hearing conservation programs in industry and with the public to prevent hearing loss from occupational or environmental noise exposure, in addition to initiating clinical and basic research related to hearing and balance.

Areas of Specialization
Audiologists may specialize in specific populations such as children, adolescents, adults or the elderly. They may also specialize in medical audiology, educational audiology, dispensing of hearing aids and assistive listening devices, rehabilitative audiology, or industrial audiology.


Work Environment
Audiologists may work in hospitals, private practice, physician’s offices, speech and hearing clinics, military programs, schools, or industries. They may also work in research-oriented establishments such as university or college settings.