Occupation · SOC 29-1181
Audiologists
Assess and treat persons with hearing and related disorders. May fit hearing aids and provide auditory training. May perform research related to hearing problems.
Median wage
$92,120
$61,930–$129,830
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
14,730
Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
207 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessCritical ThinkingActive LearningMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingService OrientationComplex Problem SolvingLearning StrategiesCoordinationTime ManagementSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisPersuasionInstructingScienceQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringOperations AnalysisNegotiationMathematicsManagement of Personnel ResourcesTroubleshootingRepairingOperation and ControlEquipment SelectionEquipment MaintenanceTechnology DesignManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingInstallation
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceTherapy and CounselingPsychologyMedicine and DentistryEnglish LanguageSales and MarketingComputers and ElectronicsBiologyEducation and TrainingAdministrativeAdministration and ManagementEconomics and AccountingPersonnel and Human ResourcesMathematicsEngineering and TechnologyCommunications and MediaSociology and AnthropologyLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsPublic Safety and SecurityPhysicsMechanicalProduction and ProcessingChemistryForeign LanguageDesignPhilosophy and TheologyTransportationGeographyBuilding and ConstructionHistory and ArcheologyFine ArtsFood Production
Technology & tools
Abacus Data Solutions HearWareBio-logic Systems HINT ProChart LinksComputers Unlimited TIMS for AudiologyCustomer relationship management CRM softwareEar WorksEar measurement softwareEpic SystemsEtymotic Research QuickSINGN Otometrics CHARTR EPHealthcare common procedure coding system HCPCSHearForm Software HearFormHearing aid fitting softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordOperating system softwarePatient management softwarePractice management software PMSReal ear measurement REM softwareSiemens Hearing Instruments Practice NavigatorSimply Hearing Software Simply Hearing OMSStarkey Laboratories ProHearSycle practice management softwareVestibular Technologies ScreenTRAKVestibular diagnostic softwareeClinicalWorks EHR software
Representative tasks
Assisting and Caring for OthersWorking with ComputersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgePerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsGetting InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesSelling or Influencing OthersIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesTraining and Teaching OthersEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsProcessing InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkAnalyzing Data or InformationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleControlling Machines and ProcessesCoaching and Developing OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDeveloping and Building TeamsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesThinking CreativelyEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationStaffing Organizational UnitsHandling and Moving ObjectsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentPerforming General Physical ActivitiesDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Patient records at initial intake — document evaluation findings and demographic data under clinical supervisor guidance in an audiology clinic setting.Hearing test protocols — administer pure-tone audiometry and tympanometry under direct supervision using calibrated electronic audiometers in a sound-treated booth.Hearing and balance disorder presentations — recognize common patterns such as sensorineural and conductive loss under attending audiologist oversight during patient evaluations.Specialized diagnostic instruments — identify and operate basic audiometric equipment following established laboratory protocols in a supervised clinical practicum.Assistive device basics — assist in fitting and dispensing pre-configured hearing aids under direct supervision within a clinical dispensing environment.Patient communication strategies — apply foundational instruction techniques for receptive communication under supervisor direction during guided patient education sessions.Clinical documentation software — enter patient data and generate basic reports using medical records and office suite software under departmental protocol guidance.Referral criteria — identify patients who may require additional medical or educational services and flag cases for supervising audiologist review in a multi-disciplinary clinic.Counseling fundamentals — participate in introductory family and patient counseling sessions on hearing loss impact under clinical mentor observation.Progress monitoring basics — collect and record follow-up outcome data for ongoing patient cases as directed by a supervising audiologist in an outpatient setting.
developing
Comprehensive patient records — maintain accurate documentation across all evaluation and treatment stages with minimal oversight in an established outpatient audiology practice.Audiometric test batteries — administer and interpret a full range of hearing and balance assessments, including ABR and OAE, with routine autonomy in a hospital-based audiology department.Hearing aid fitting and repair — fit, program, and perform minor repairs on hearing aids for diverse patient populations using real-ear measurement tools in a clinical dispensing setting.Hearing and balance diagnoses — formulate working diagnoses and develop initial treatment plans for common disorders based on integrated evaluation findings in a primary-care-affiliated clinic.Patient progress monitoring — track treatment outcomes across a personal caseload and adjust intervention approaches in response to evolving audiological status in an outpatient practice.Communication strategy instruction — deliver structured counseling sessions to patients, parents, and educators on strategies to maximize receptive communication in school and workplace contexts.Family counseling sessions — conduct routine counseling with patients and family members on hearing loss management techniques with reduced supervisor involvement in a rehabilitation setting.Referral coordination — initiate and document referrals to otolaryngologists, speech-language pathologists, and educational specialists following evidence-based criteria in a multidisciplinary environment.Critical thinking in complex cases — analyze non-typical audiometric profiles and select appropriate follow-up testing strategies in a specialty clinic setting.Electronic health record systems — utilize CRM and medical software platforms to manage scheduling, billing documentation, and patient communication efficiently within an integrated healthcare system.
proficient
Comprehensive diagnostic evaluations — independently evaluate complex hearing and balance disorders, synthesize multi-modal test data, and establish differential diagnoses across diverse patient populations in a specialty audiology center.Advanced hearing aid and assistive technology management — select, fit, program, and troubleshoot a full range of amplification and assistive devices including cochlear implant mapping support in an advanced rehabilitation clinic.Full-scope patient records — oversee complete longitudinal documentation from initial presentation through discharge, ensuring regulatory and accreditation compliance in an academic medical center.Non-routine audiometric interpretation — resolve ambiguous or conflicting test findings using inductive and deductive reasoning to guide treatment in high-complexity inpatient and outpatient environments.Individualized counseling and rehabilitation plans — design and deliver comprehensive aural rehabilitation programs tailored to adults, pediatric patients, and geriatric populations in a community health system.Multidisciplinary referral management — evaluate and coordinate referrals across medical, surgical, and educational disciplines to ensure seamless continuity of care in a hospital network.Ongoing outcomes monitoring — implement systematic progress review protocols using standardized outcome measures and adjust treatment plans autonomously in a long-term care audiology practice.Employer and educator training — facilitate workplace and classroom communication strategy workshops for employers and teachers supporting patients with hearing loss in occupational and educational settings.Technology integration — evaluate, configure, and optimize medical software, electronic health records, and teleaudiology platforms to enhance service delivery efficiency across a full clinical caseload.Evidence-based practice application — critically appraise current audiology research, apply findings to clinical decision-making, and adapt protocols to emerging evidence in a research-affiliated practice setting.
advanced
Organizational audiology strategy — establish clinical standards, service delivery models, and quality improvement frameworks for hearing and balance programs across a health system or academic institution.Clinical workforce development — mentor and supervise doctoral-level clinical fellows and graduate students, designing structured competency pathways within an accredited audiology training program.Program-level outcomes evaluation — design and lead systematic evaluation of departmental diagnostic and treatment outcomes using systems analysis methods to drive continuous quality improvement.Interdisciplinary leadership — represent audiology at executive and interdisciplinary leadership forums, advocating for integrated hearing health within hospital, educational, and community health systems.Policy and protocol authorship — author and institutionalize clinical practice protocols, referral pathways, and documentation standards that govern audiology services across multiple care sites.Research and innovation leadership — conceptualize, fund, and oversee applied clinical research studies or technology pilots that advance diagnostic and rehabilitative audiological practice.Community and public health advocacy — develop population-level hearing health initiatives, screening programs, and stakeholder education campaigns addressing underserved communities at a regional or national level.Resource and financial stewardship — direct budget planning, equipment procurement, and revenue cycle strategy for an audiology division within a complex healthcare or academic organization.Cross-sector partnership development — negotiate and sustain partnerships with educational agencies, employers, device manufacturers, and payers to expand access to hearing health services at scale.Professional knowledge dissemination — present expert-level findings at national conferences, contribute to peer-reviewed publications, and serve on professional standards bodies to shape the future of audiology practice.
Also known as
13 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
AudiologistAudiology Doctor (AUD)Audiology ExternCertificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology Licensed Audiologist (CCC-A Licensed Audiologist)Clinical AudiologistDispensing AudiologistEducational AudiologistForensic AudiologistHearing TherapistIndustrial AudiologistLicensed AudiologistPediatric AudiologistStaff Audiologist