Audiologists

Individuals who work with people who have hearing, balance and related ear problems. They examine individuals of all ages and identify those with the symptoms of hearing loss and other auditory, balance and related neural problems; assess the nature and extent of the problems; and help the individuals manage them. Using audiometers, computers and other testing devices, they measure the loudness at which a person begins to hear sounds, their ability to distinguish between sounds and the impact of hearing loss or balance problems on an individual's daily life. Audiologists interpret these results and may coordinate them with medical, educational and psychological information to make a diagnosis and determine a course of treatment.