What does an Audiologist do?
Measure hearing ability, identify hearing disorders, provide rehabilitative services, design hearing instruments and testing equipment, prepare future professionals in colleges and universities, and serve as consultants to government and industry on issues concerning environmental, noise-induced hearing loss.
What does a Speech-Language Pathologist do?
Help those who stutter to increase their fluency; help people who have had strokes or experienced brain trauma to regain lost language and speech; engage in research to enhance knowledge about human communication disorders; prepare future professionals in colleges and universities; counsel individuals and families to understand and deal with speech and language disorders.
What does a Speech, Language, and Hearing Scientist do?
Investigate the complex processes underlying human communication, explore trends in communication sciences; collaborate with experts in other fields to develop new approaches to treating those with speech, language, and hearing disorders; develop evidence-based methods for diagnosing and treating individuals with speech, language and hearing problems.
Do speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists belong to a national organization?
Established in 1925, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing organization for communications sciences and disorders. We represent audiologists, speech-language pathologists and speech, language, and hearing scientists – more than 130,000 members and international affiliates.
Can students belong to the national organization?
Although undergraduate and graduate students in the human communication sciences and disorders are not yet qualified to join ASHA, they have their own organization called the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) that works closely with ASHA. The student organization has chapters at many campuses around the country. The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association has over 10,000 members.
Where are the ASHA and NSSLHA offices?
Both offices are located at:
2200 Research Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20850
What are the entry requirements for a career in the communication sciences?
A strong liberal arts focus is recommended on the undergraduate level—typically students obtain a degree in communication sciences and disorders. Graduate work is necessary for ASHA certification, most states' licensure and teacher certification. A master's is the entry degree in most work settings in speech-language pathology. In Audiology, many positions require a clinical doctorate degree. See our list of CAA Accredited Graduate Programs and the list of Doctoral Programs.
What are some typical work settings?
Communication sciences professionals work in a variety of settings, including schools, universities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing care facilities, industry, government health facilities, research laboratories, and private practice.
What is a typical salary?
In May 2004, the median annual earnings of audiologists was $51,470 and $52,410 for speech-language pathologists.
U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 edition.
Does ASHA certify speech-language pathologists and audiologists?
We award audiologists and speech-language pathologists with the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) after they have earned either the master’s or doctoral degree, successfully completed the required clinical experiences, and passed a national exam. Currently both audiologists and speech-language pathologists complete a supervised Clinical Fellowship (CF) after obtaining the master’s degree. Beginning in 2007, audiologists will complete required clinical experiences during their academic program of study.
Do states have licensure laws for audiologists and speech-language pathologists?
The majority of states legally require individuals who engage in private practice or who work in nonpublic agencies to hold a license in audiology or speech-language pathology. Also, state and/or local education certification is necessary for audiologists and speech-language pathologists working in a school setting. Generally, the requirements are similar to those for ASHA certification.
Will jobs continue to be available?
The future of the job market in communication sciences and disorders appears excellent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in audiology and speech-language pathology is expected to continue through 2014. For more complete information check out the Audiology Fact Sheet, the Speech-Language Pathology Fact Sheet and the Speech, Language and Hearing Science Fact Sheet.