Hearing deficits and loss are common conditions that may be present at birth or become more prevalent with age. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) reports that roughly 2 to 3 in 1,000 U.S. children are born with a detectable amount of hearing loss in one or both ears. The NIDCD also reports that some form of hearing trouble affects 15% of Americans aged 18 and older, or around 37.5 million people. It further estimates that hearing aids could help 28.8 million American adults.
While the reasons for hearing loss vary, professionals in the communication science field can provide help and coping strategies to affected individuals. Two of the more prominent professions in this category are hearing specialists and audiologists. Their goal is to help individuals overcome their hearing disorders, improving their cognitive health and sense of well-being in the process. While the two career paths share the goal of helping people with hearing issues, their approaches are vastly different. Individuals seeking careers that involve helping people overcome hearing difficulties need to understand the differences between hearing specialists vs. audiologists.
What do hearing specialists and audiologists do?
Both audiologists and hearing specialists are critical assets in addressing and treating a hearing disorder. The reason is that their essential duties have a direct influence on a patient’s journey to achieving improved hearing.
Audiologists analyze and diagnose a wide range of hearing disorders. They use the information gleaned from such diagnostics to design a care strategy to help patients overcome the disorder as well as possible. This process can include counseling patients about their hearing health and discussing various treatment options with them, such as the need for hearing aids. Additionally, they can help analyze and treat other conditions pertaining to the inner ear, such as tinnitus and balance disorders.
Hearing specialists use a battery of tests to evaluate the extent of a patient’s hearing loss. Once determined, they work with the patient to design a strategy to mitigate the loss with hearing aids. They can also help individuals adjust to wearing hearing aids and often assist in periodic hearing aid maintenance.
Ultimately, these tasks can be critical to helping people regain a quality of life that may have diminished over time. This can have a dramatic positive effect on their well-being, allowing them to do and enjoy things they previously couldn’t.
Hearing specialist vs. audiologist: Similarities
While hearing specialists and audiologists approach hearing disorders differently, the two professions share similarities. The most obvious involves the types of patients they see, as both hearing specialists and audiologists work with individuals dealing with hearing loss. Their work helping people overcome hearing deficits makes both roles valuable in the communication science field.
Another similarity between the two roles involves licensing. Both hearing specialists and audiologists need to be licensed in the state where they practice. The specific steps to obtain a license vary by state, although they typically involve taking exams, obtaining practical experience, and completing continuing education hours to keep abreast of any changes or innovations in hearing treatment. Prospective professionals should become familiar with state requirements before pursuing their roles.
State legislation can also define the scope of duties of a hearing specialist and an audiologist. These duties often correlate to various regulations pertaining to work environments, such as schools, or innovative concepts, such as telepractice. As with licensing requirements, prospective professionals would be wise to familiarize themselves with the scope of practice of their state.
Hearing specialist vs. audiologist: Differences
One of the key differences between an audiologist and a hearing specialist relates to education. Audiologists need a doctoral degree in audiology from an accredited program — an academic requirement made standard as of 2020. Hearing specialists, however, don’t require an advanced degree. While a high school diploma is technically the minimum requirement, earning a bachelor’s degree can help an individual stand out from the competition. Moreover, some employers prefer to hire individuals with a bachelor’s degree, so earning one could increase job opportunities.
Another significant difference between the two roles is the scope of their duties. Audiologists can diagnose, treat, and manage ear conditions and hearing disorders. Hearing specialists focus on post-diagnosis treatment through tasks such as performing audio testing, fitting hearing aids, and repairing devices.
Audiologists also address other ear-related issues, such as balance, and can work with ear, nose, and throat doctors (ENTs) to build a comprehensive treatment strategy. Hearing specialists don’t work with ENTs because their work focuses on treatment rather than diagnosis.
Two different professions, one noble goal
While hearing specialists and audiologists are distinct professions, they share the common purpose of helping individuals overcome hearing disorders. Through their work, they can help to change a person’s life for the better, making both careers immensely satisfying.
Maryville University’s online Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders program can prepare you to begin pursuing these important roles in communication science. Our program is designed to help students gain the knowledge and skills to succeed in either field and help others. Learn more about how Maryville can provide a crucial first step toward pursuing your career goals.
Recommended Reading
Audiologist vs. Speech-Language Pathologist: Two Approaches to Communication Treatment
3 Hearing Loss Types: Effects and Common Treatments
What Is Audiology: The Ultimate Guide for Entering a Booming Industry
Sources
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, “ASHA State-by-State”
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, “Audiologist Roles and Responsibilities”
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, “Who Are Audiologists, and What Do They Do?”
Healthy Hearing, “What Is a Hearing Instrument Specialist?”
Hearing Professionals of Illinois, “The Importance of Seeing an Audiologist”
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, “Quick Statistics About Hearing”