Introduction
Audiology (from Latin audīre, “to hear”; and from Greek -λογία, -logia) is a branch of science involved with the study of auditory, balance, and related disorders. Audiologists help people with hearing loss and prevent further injury. They assess the loudness with which a person starts to detect sounds, their ability to differentiate between sounds, and the effect of hearing loss or coordination issues on a person’s everyday life using audiometers, machines, and other measuring instruments. Audiologists interpret these results and can combine them with medical and psychological information to decide a diagnosis, assess a treatment plan, or make medication or recovery recommendations.
Audiologists may help people with their hearing health from birth throughout life. They assist families cope with a recent diagnosis of hearing loss in a child and help teach coping skills to late-deafened adults They also help develop and implement personal and industrial hearing safety services, newborn hearing screening programs, and school hearing screening programs as well as the provision of special or custom-fit ear plugs and other hearing aids to help prevent hearing loss. They then determine the complexity and nature of the issues and provide assistance in dealing with them.
Nature of work
Work Environment: Most audiologists work in healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, physicians’ offices, and audiology clinics. Some work in schools or for organizations, and travel between facilities. Others work in health and personal care stores.
Audiologists typically do the following:
- Examine people with hearing, balance, or other ear issues
- Analyse the outcomes of the assessment and give the diagnosis
- Determine and deliver treatments to meet the goals of the patients
- Fit and dispense hearing aids
- Treat tinnitus, a condition that causes ringing in the ears
- Evaluate patients on a regular basis to check on hearing and coordination and to maintain or adjust care plans
- Counsel patients and their families on how to listen and speak, such as lip reading or by technology.
- Keep track of patient progress;
- Study about the origins and treatments for hearing and coordination disorders
- Educate patients on ways to prevent hearing loss
Scope of audiology
Audiology is expected to grow faster than average as hearing loss is strongly associated with aging. Rapid growth in the aged population because of increased life expectancy, more number of people aged 60 and above will cause the number of persons with hearing impairment to increase markedly. The field of audiology is expected to grow due to the increased life expectancy and rapid growth in the aged population. Hearing loss is strongly associated with aging. Another factor contributing to the growth of this field is as the survival rate of trauma, stroke victims and premature infants is improving due to the advancements in medicine, the need for assessment and possible treatment has also increased.
Laws are being made to make special education and related services to all eligible children with disabilities. Awareness of the importance of early identification and diagnosis of hearing disorders is increasing and so is the career in audiology.
How to become an audiologist
To become an audiologist, an individual may enrol in a two years diploma in audiology after matric or go for a bachelor’s degree in audiology after completing intermediate in the science stream.
Best universities
- King Edward Medical University / Mio Hospital
- Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Pims
- Khyber Medical University
- Fmh Institute Of Allied Health Sciences
For more details on institutions offering audiology, visit
Job market of audiologist
Audiologists provide services and work in many different types of facilities, including:
- Hospital based practices (Private / Public Sector)
- Associates to Physicians or ENT Surgeons
- Private Practice / Self Employment
- Rehabilitation centers
- Healthcare stores
- Special schools
- Colleges and universities to prepare future professionals
- Research laboratories
Qualities and skills for Audiologists
- Communication skills to communicate test results, diagnoses, and proposed treatments, so patients clearly understand the situation and options.
- Work on teams with other healthcare providers and education specialists regarding patient care.
- Compassionate and empathetic and supportive of patients and their families.
- Have good critical-thinking skills to be able to analyze each patient’s situation, in order to offer the best treatment.
- Work with patients who may need a lot of time and special attention.
- Have good Problem-solving skills.