How to Become an Audiologist?

A few years back there were only some popular job profiles in the healthcare sector like physicians, nurses, paediatricians that people knew. With the healthcare system expanding to accommodate specialisations, a wide range of jobs have become exceedingly popular. One of them is that of an Audiologist. An Audiologist works in the healthcare industry professionals who identify, assess and manage disorders of hearing, balance and other neural systems. 

Who is an Audiologist?

Audiologists are medical doctors who diagnose, treat, and manage hearing issues in patients. Audiologists treat patients of all ages with hearing and balance impairments, ensuring that they receive the appropriate rehabilitation and care. They specialize in using advanced technology to identify and assess a patient’s hearing issues. Audiologists utilize audiometers, computers, and other instruments to assess a patient’s hearing capacity and determine the source of their hearing loss.

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Jobs & Responsibilities

An audiologist is a medical specialist who assists in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing, balance, and other ear-related issues.

1.  Examining the ear canals and eardrums, overseeing the removal of cerumen, and taking ear impressions are all important responsibilities of an audiologist.
2. Recommend hearing aids and assist with fitting and programming. They perform audiological rehabilitation as well as give recommendations and provide hearing assistive technology systems. 
3. Analyze patients and assist them with nonmedical tinnitus management. Tinnitus is a ringing in the ears that isn’t caused by an underlying ailment.
4.  Patients may be given communication methods such as speech reading. 
5. In charge of determining how much emotional and mental stress a patient is under as a result of hearing loss.

How is an Audiologist Different From an ENT Specialist?

Hearing loss is the primary concern of an audiologist. If you’re having trouble following conversations or hearing the TV without turning the volume up all the way, you might be suffering from hearing loss. An audiologist will conduct a series of tests to discover the source of your hearing loss if you schedule an appointment with them. They will offer treatments and techniques for controlling hearing loss, such as hearing aids, if the hearing loss is caused by age or long-term exposure to loud noises. However, an audiologist may find an underlying condition that is causing your hearing loss and send you to an ENT doctor in some situations.

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Why Should You Build a Career as an Audiologist?

• Job security: As the population ages, more hearing and balance care are required.
• Flexibility: Audiologists have the option of working in a number of settings.
• Great working conditions: Audiology is a less stressful profession than many other medical and healthcare professions.
• Helping clients with hearing loss can be quite satisfying for many audiologists.

Skills

• Audiologists need to be able to interact with their patients on a human level. To completely understand patient problems and answer questions, they must practice active listening. They must also be sensitive to their patients’ sentiments and empathize with them
• Audiologists must be able to communicate complex medical issues to patients, especially when working with children
• Impairment-solving abilities: Audiologists must be able to interpret diagnostic tests and apply their prior knowledge to establish the cause of a patient’s hearing problem
• Time management: Audiologists must be able to maintain appointments on schedule in order to meet patients on time and provide them with adequate time during their visit

Salary

An audiologist’s average annual pay is INR 6 lakhs, with wages ranging from INR 4 lakhs to INR 8 lakhs. Salaries vary widely depending on the audiologist’s level of expertise, geographic area, and work environment. Audiologists who work in hospitals or educational settings make significantly more money than those who work in doctor’s offices or speciality practices.

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How to Become an Audiologist?

Pursue Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree is required for admission to an audiology programme. A Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders is required for admission to the doctor of audiology (AuD) programmes. Some schools, however, will accept students with other majors if they have completed the essential requirements, such as biology, psychology, and statistics.

Obtain a Masters/Doctorate in Audiology

Students must submit the relevant references and essays in order to be accepted into an audiology programme. They must also achieve the program’s minimal GRE score, which is a standardized test that assesses students’ readiness for graduate study. Anatomy, physics, genetics, normal and abnormal communication development, pharmacology, diagnosis and therapy, physiology, and ethics are all included in graduate audiology studies. Clinical contexts, such as paediatrics, cochlear implants, and balance testing, occupy a significant amount of time for students. Students spend their last year of studies in a clinical externship, where they work full-time in a clinical setting under the supervision of an experienced professional.

Obtain Certification and Licensure

Audiologists must be licensed by their respective states after completing their AuD degree. The standards for licensure vary by state, but most require passing a written and/or practical examination. While certification is not required, it can increase your credibility in the profession and prove your abilities. 

Apply for Jobs

Search for open audiology opportunities in your region once you’ve gotten your license. Audiologists can operate in a variety of settings, including private practices, clinics, hospitals, universities, and local education organizations. Determine the type of work environment you want to work in and look for open employment in that field.

Top Colleges in India

• SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Chennai
• Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Gurgaon
• JIPMER Puducherry – Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research
• All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mumbai
• Topiwala National Medical College and BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai
• Manipal University (MAHE) – Manipal Academy of Higher Education
• GGSIPU Delhi – Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
• PGIMER Chandigarh – Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research
• AWH Special College, Calicut
• Indian Institute of Health Education and Research, Patna
• RIMS Imphal – Regional Institute of Medical Sciences

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Top Universities Abroad

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Job Profiles

While working as an audiologist, you will have the opportunity to explore different job profiles. Hearing therapists, pediatric audiologists, audiology directors, and educational audiologists are all terms used to describe people who work in the field of audiology. The following are popular  job opportunities available in the field of Audiology:

• Dispensing Audiologist
• Doctor of Audiology
• Educational Audiologist
• Pediatric Audiologist
• Audiologist
• Clinical Audiologist
• Clinical Director
• Audiology Director
• Audiology Doctor (AUD)

Are you planning to become an Audiologist but not sure where to start from? Contact our Leverage Edu experts that will assist you in choosing a suitable course to secure admission to your dream university. Call us on 1800 57 2000 to book your FREE 30-minute counselling session today!

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