Audiologist Job Description, Duties, and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the audiologist job description, including key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

It also highlights the major requirements you may be expected to meet to be hired for the audiologist role.

What Does an Audiologist Do?

Audiologists are ear specialists who diagnose and treat various ear and speech-related problems.

The audiologist job description involves providing diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients with hearing, balance, and communication disorder.

In performing their duties, audiologists conduct electrophysiological and speech/language tests to evaluate the degree of impairment in patients.

They use diagnostic and therapeutic tools such as otoscope, curettes, and irrigators to examine and address ear problems.

Their role also involves interpreting test results and developing treatment plans for patients.

Audiologists usually proffer recommendations on the selection and use of hearing aids.

They conduct research to stay abreast with advances in hearing aid technology.

They also liaise with other health care professionals such as physicians, speech pathologists, and physical therapists to develop treatment plans for patients.

As part of their responsibilities, audiologists counsel patients and their families on ways to communicate such as through sign language or lip reading.

Their work description also involves using curettes to clean ear canals before installing assistive hearing devices such as cochlear implants.

They also organize aural rehabilitation programs for patients suffering from various hearing disorder.

Audiologists as part of their duties monitor patient recovery process to determine the need for treatment adjustment.

They ensure compliance with all federal, state and local laws such as provisions for patient safety and quality improvement act.

Their description also entails conducting research to gain insight into different disorders and how they affect hearing and balance.

In fulfilling their role, audiologists educate and advise other healthcare specialists on speech and hearing subjects.

They conduct hearing protection programs at industries, schools and communities, as well as carry out measurements to determine noise levels at workplace or home.

Audiologists maintain proper record of patient information and determine when they are due for discharge.

To get into the audiologist career requires a medical degree in audiology. Some of the skills needed to succeed on the job include communication and problem-solving skills, as well as empathy.

Audiologist Job Description Example/Template

Audiologists perform various functions in ensuring proper care for their patients’ ear.

Here is an example of audiologist job description, showing major tasks, duties, and responsibilities of the role:

• Administer audiometric and speech/language tests to evaluate the extent of impairment in patients
• Interpret diagnostic data to identify and develop treatment plans for patient hearing problems
• Use curettes and irrigators to clean patients’ auditory canal prior to fitting and tuning cochlear plants
• Provide hearing aids to patients and demonstrate the use of such devices
• Counsel patients and their families to adopt lip reading and sign language as a means to effective communication
• Maintain up-to-date record of patient information, treatment plan, and progress
• Track patient recovery process to determine the need for change in treatment
• Conduct auditory evaluations by measuring noise levels to determine hearing suitability
• Collaborate with physicians, ENT specialists, speech/language therapists, and pediatricians to rehabilitate patients adjusting to hearing implants
• Conduct hearing protection and hearing loss screening program
• Plan and organize rehabilitation programs to help patients adjust accordingly to the use of hearing aids
• Train and supervise the activities of trainee audiologists and audiologist assistants
• Maintain accurate inventory and determine the need for stock replacement
• Review audiology services to identify areas where improvement is required
• Educate and train other healthcare professionals on hearing and speech topics.

Requirements – Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge – for Audiologist Job

Are you seeking the job of an audiologist? If you are, here are major requirements most employers will expect you to meet to qualify for an interview:

• Education and Training: To become an audiologist in the US, you require a doctoral degree in audiology. In the UK, a Master’s degree in the same field is required. Most states in the US require audiologists to obtain licensure for practice. Other states – in place of licensure – require audiologists to obtain certifications from recognized bodies such as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or the American Board of Audiology
• Communication Skill: Audiologists are well versed in conversing with patients to explain the details of a procedure or relay results of diagnosis
• Problem-solving Skill: Audiologists are able to develop suitable treatment plans to resolve patients’ speech or hearing problems
• Empathy: Audiologists are compassionate towards patients and are able to support them emotionally.

Conclusion

Are you an employer looking to write a description for the audiologist role in your company? If you are, then you can apply the sample job description provided in this post as a template in making a suitable one for your firm.

You are sure to be able to produce a detailed work description that attracts the best candidates for the job if you are hiring for the position.

Individuals aspiring to work as audiologist will also find this post useful as they will learn much about the job and get properly prepared for the career.