An educational audiologist is a specialist who works with children and adolescents with hearing loss in a school setting. According to a 2008 poll, educational audiologists account for around 14% of audiologists in the United States. To work as an educational audiologist, you must first complete the required undergraduate courses, then apply to and enroll in a graduate-level audiology program, and obtain the necessary licensure in your state or country.
You should consider whether you have the necessary skills and interests before deciding to become an educational audiologist. Because students with hearing loss may progress more slowly than others, an educational audiologist must be patient. You should also have experience working with children and be able to communicate effectively with them, their teachers, and their parents.
After that, you should look for and enroll in a suitable undergraduate program. Communication, communication disorders, and life sciences are all recommended undergraduate majors. Before enrolling in graduate courses, you may need to take a few prerequisite courses, such as communication, biology, or psychology, if you already have a bachelor’s degree.
You must have at least a master’s degree in audiology to work as an educational audiologist. However, a doctorate in audiology (Au.D.) is usually preferred and will give you a competitive advantage. It usually takes four years to complete an Au.D. program. A master’s degree or a doctorate in educational audiology will help you prepare for a career in educational audiology providing you with knowledge and research opportunities. An educational audiologist must be familiar with the various types of hearing loss and how they affect children’s linguistic, cognitive, and social development.
You must become licensed as an audiologist in your state or country in addition to completing academic programs. The requirements for this license vary location, but they typically include passing a test and completing a period of supervised audiology practice. Some states in the United States recognize the American Board of Audiology’s national certification standard. You should look into what it takes to become an educational audiologist in the state or country where you want to work.
You are ready to seek employment in a school or school district once you have completed the necessary training and certification. An audiologist may be on staff at some large schools. In other cases, a single audiologist may cover a district or a group of schools.