Audiologists

Audiologists typically perform the following tasks: • 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. • Fit, dispense, and repair assistive devices, such as hearing aids. • Administer hearing tests and examine patients to collect information on type and degree of impairment, using specialized instruments and electronic equipment. • Monitor patients' progress and provide ongoing observation of hearing or balance status. • Instruct patients, parents, teachers, or employers in communication strategies to maximize effective receptive communication. • 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. • Participate in conferences or training to update or share knowledge of new hearing or balance disorder treatment methods or technologies. • Examine and clean patients' ear canals. • Recommend assistive devices according to patients' needs or nature of impairments. • Advise educators or other medical staff on hearing or balance topics. • Program and monitor cochlear implants to fit the needs of patients. • Educate and supervise audiology students and health care personnel. • 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. • Work with multidisciplinary teams to assess and rehabilitate recipients of implanted hearing devices through auditory training and counseling. • Conduct or direct research on hearing or balance topics and report findings to help in the development of procedures, technology, or treatments. • Perform administrative tasks, such as managing office functions and finances. • Provide information to the public on hearing or balance topics. • Engage in marketing activities, such as developing marketing plans, to promote business for private practices.