What is an Audiologist?


Audiologists are health care professionals concerned with the diagnosis, assessment, rehabilitation, and prevention of hearing loss and balance disorders.

More specifically, audiologists:

  • perform hearing assessments to determine the degree and type of hearing loss
  • administer diagnostic tests to determine the sources and causes of hearing disorder
  • use state-of-the-art technology to evaluate and treat hearing loss in children and adults
  • fit amplification systems such as hearing aids or cochlear implants
  • screen the hearing of newborns 
  • provide aural rehabilitation to individuals with hearing loss and their families to reduce communication problems and facilitate adjustments to hearing loss
  • prevent hearing loss by educating the public and other professionals about the effects of noise on hearing

Career paths

Audiologists often work in collaboration with otolaryngologists, family physicians, nurses, teachers, social workers, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and other audiologists.

Audiologists work in a variety of environments, including hospitals, community health centres, private clinics, schools, hearing aid manufacturers, and universities.

From a total of 200 professions and jobs, CareerCast.com (2014) ranked Audiologist in the top 10, based on job prospects and income. Chances of employment are enhanced by the willingness of the candidate to relocate.

Go the Links page to obtain more information on hearing science and disorders and on the profession of audiology.