Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement for Audiologist
Of the 48 States that require a license to practice audiology, almost
all require that individuals have a master's degree in audiology or
the equivalent; however, a clinical doctoral degree is expected to
become the new standard. A passing score on a national examination on
audiology offered through the Praxis Series of the Educational Testing
Service is needed, as well. Other requirements are 300 to 375 hours of
supervised clinical experience and 9 months of postgraduate professional
clinical experience. An additional examination may be required in order
to dispense hearing aids. Forty States have continuing education
requirements for licensure renewal. Medicaid, medicare, and private
health insurers generally require practitioners to be licensed to
qualify for reimbursement.
About 107 Schools and universities offer graduate programs in audiology
in the United States. About 39 of these offer a Doctor of Audiology
(Au.D.) degree. Requirements for admission to programs in audiology
include courses in English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology,
psychology, and communication sciences. Graduate course work in
audiology includes
anatomy; physiology; physics; genetics; normal and
abnormal communication development; auditory, balance, and neural
systems assessment and treatment; diagnosis and treatment; pharmacology;
and ethics.
Audiologists can acquire the Certificate of Clinical Competence in
Audiology (CCC-A) offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association. To earn a CCC, a person must have a graduate degree and 375
hours of supervised clinical experience, complete a 36-week postgraduate
clinical fellowship, and pass the Praxis Series examination in
audiology, administered by the Educational Testing Service. According to
the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, as of 2007,
audiologists will need to have a bachelor's degree and complete 75
hours of credit toward a doctoral degree in order to seek certification.
As of 2012, audiologists will have to earn a doctoral degree in order to
be certified.
Audiologists may also be certified through the American Board of
Audiology. Applicants must earn a Master's or Doctoral degree in
audiology from a regionally accredited college or university, achieve a
passing score on a national examination in audiology, and demonstrate
that they have completed a minimum of 2,000 hours of mentored
professional practice in a two-year period with a qualified audiologist.
Certificants must apply for renewal every three years. They must
demonstrate that they have earned 45 hours of approved continuing
education within the three-year period. Beginning in the year 2007, all
applicants must earn a doctoral degree in audiology.
Audiologists should be able to effectively communicate diagnostic test
results, diagnoses, and proposed treatments in a manner easily
understood by their clients. They must be able to approach problems
objectively and provide support to clients and their families. Because a
client's progress may be slow, patience, compassion, and good
listening skills are necessary.
