What Do Audiologists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Audiologists assess and treat persons with hearing and related disorders. May fit hearing aids and provide auditory training. May perform research related to hearing problems. They also administer hearing tests and examine patients to collect information on type and degree of impairment, using specialized instruments and electronic equipment.

Other tasks include:

• Fit, dispense, and repair assistive devices, such as hearing aids.
• Maintain patient records at all stages, including initial and subsequent evaluation and treatment activities.
• Evaluate hearing and balance disorders to determine diagnoses and courses of treatment.
• Program and monitor cochlear implants to fit the needs of patients.
• Counsel and instruct patients and their families in techniques to improve hearing and communication related to hearing loss.
• Refer patients to additional medical or educational services, if needed.

We asked Audiologists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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72% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 88% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Audiologists maintain patient records at all stages, including initial and subsequent evaluation and treatment activities. They administer hearing tests and examine patients to collect information on type and degree of impairment, using specialized instruments and electronic equipment.

A typical day for an Audiologist will also include:

• Fit, dispense, and repair assistive devices, such as hearing aids.
• Evaluate hearing and balance disorders to determine diagnoses and courses of treatment.
• Program and monitor cochlear implants to fit the needs of patients.
• Monitor patients’ progress and provide ongoing observation of hearing or balance status.
• Perform administrative tasks, such as managing office functions and finances.

We asked some Audiologists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	83% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	30% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	93% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	70% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	10% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	67% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Audiologists also recommend assistive devices according to patients’ needs or nature of impairments. They may also advise educators or other medical staff on hearing or balance topics.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Audiologists Instruct patients, parents, teachers, or employers in communication strategies to maximize effective receptive communication. They might also Engage in marketing activities, such as developing marketing plans, to promote business for private practices.

In addition, they Refer patients to additional medical or educational services, if needed.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Plan and conduct treatment programs for patients’ hearing or balance problems, consulting with educators, physicians, nurses, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and other health care personnel, as necessary.

To some Audiologists, it is also their responsibility to Work with multidisciplinary teams to assess and rehabilitate recipients of implanted hearing devices through auditory training and counseling.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Audiologist, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/audiologists.htm

http://www.asha.org/

http://www.boardofaudiology.org/

http://www.audiology.org/