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To become an audiologist, you would need to undergo a great deal of training so that you may become worthy of the profession. The work included in the path leading to this career is quite extensive; years of education and dedication are needed for an individual to be considered as a specialist in the field. Hence, an audiologist training involves several years of being familiar with the craft.
An audiologist training begins when the candidate graduates from a four-year bachelor’s degree. There is no required major for the bachelor’s degree; however, there are doctoral programs which would require courses in physics, anatomy, physiology and math to be part of the bachelor’s degree. To be able to obtain a license later on, a master’s or doctoral degree must be acquired by the aspirant. A doctoral degree (AuD) is a more popular choice that is becoming more obligatory. As of January 2012, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) consider a doctoral degree as a mandatory requirement for individuals who seek to receive a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A). [1]A doctoral degree typically lasts for four years which includes a year of supervised clinical practice. This supervised clinical practice is already included in doctoral programs accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). Certain states require that the candidate graduate from a CAA-accredited program to be issued a license. In receiving a certificate from ASHA, at least 1820 hours of supervised clinical practice must be rendered. Another way of obtaining a credential would be through the American Board of Audiology (ABA). Certificates aren’t generally mandatory but may be needed as a requirement for licensure or employment. Holding a certificate signifies how the individual is capable of providing exceptional services and is representative of excellence in the field. Furthermore, licensure for audiologists is required in the United States. However, requirements may vary depending on the state. Even when already in practice, it is still important for audiologists to continuously study and learn about new developments in the field. In this manner, they will be updated of the latest methods and technologies which can help them in improving their services.
Clearly, aside from rigorous training and education; it is important for audiologists to keep their interest in the field alive. They should also possess certain attributes that will truly determine how their work will turn out. Aside from earning degrees, licenses, and certification; audiologist are also seen as empathetic individuals who are able to be good listeners to their patients and their families. Moreover, they must also possess a critical and clear thinking mind that can easily assess and understand a patient’s condition.
