The educational requirements to become a clinical audiologist may differ depending on the position that you are interested in. Researching various job descriptions can help you explore the various positions and the necessary requirements. Most professionals in this field have a minimum of a bachelor's degree, but many jobs prefer that you have several advanced degrees. Due to this being a job in the medical field, you will need to locate universities that have extensive pre-medical programs. In order to become a clinical audiologist, you will need to maintain excellent grades throughout school and participate in hands-on training experiences.
Once you have chosen an accredited undergraduate program, you will need to meet with an adviser to map out the best course schedule to become a clinical audiologist. Aside from general coursework, most undergraduate programs offer audiology courses, such as introduction to speech and hearing disorders, phonetics, language and speech acquisition, speech anatomy and physiology, and speech science. These programs are an excellent way to prepare for graduate school and/or medical school depending on the position you have chosen. During undergraduate coursework, you should apply to internships in the field in order to gain experience and observe professionals in the field.
Although graduate school is not always required to become a clinical audiologist, it does increase job opportunities, starting salaries, and career advancement possibilities. Graduate classes are more in depth and may include advanced clinical audiology, diagnostic audiology, amplification systems, physiologic assessment of vestibular system, and clinical electrophysiology. This program generally takes at least two years, and coursework will include additional labs that will allow you to partake in hands-on exercises.
Several areas that you will need to be knowledgeable in are therapy, psychology, customer service, medicine, and computerized equipment. This profession involves evaluating audiology disorders, client referrals, administering hearing devices, counseling, and instructing patients on how to live with their disability. Training in these areas will be essential to successfully become a clinical audiologist, and some jobs will offer additional training after successful completion of certification and degree programs.
In addition to medical field experience and education, you will need to have excellent interpersonal skills because this profession is primarily based on patient relations. Organization, technical writing abilities, and compassion are also important for succeeding in this field. Once you have completed all necessary training, the Internet is an excellent resource for finding employment. Some graduates seek employment in local medical facilities, such as rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and private practices.
