Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become an Audiologist Audiologists must be licensed in all states. Audiologists typically need a doctor of audiology (Au.D.) degree to enter the occupation. All states require audiologists to be licensed.
Education
Audiologists need a doctor of audiology (Au.D.) degree, which typically takes 4 years to complete. To enter an Au.D. program, students need a bachelor’s degree. Au.D. coursework includes anatomy and physiology, diagnosis and treatment, and statistics. Students also complete supervised clinical practice.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Audiologists must be licensed in all states. Requirements vary by state but typically include having earned an Au.D. from an accredited program. For specific requirements, contact your state’s licensing board for audiologists. Audiologists may earn other credentials, such as certificates or certifications. These credentials usually require completion of an accredited doctor of audiology program and passing an exam. Some employers may require or prefer that candidates have certification or a certificate, and in some states having the credential can help to meet licensure requirements. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of audiologists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 600 openings for audiologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Because health problems are prevalent in older age groups, an aging population will continue to increase the demand for most healthcare services. This includes hearing loss and balance disorders, with larger numbers of older adults creating increased demand for audiologists. The early identification and diagnosis of hearing disorders in infants also may support employment growth. Growing awareness regarding advances in hearing aid technology, such as smaller size and reduced feedback, may make such devices more appealing as a means to treat auditory loss. This may lead to more demand for audiologists. Audiologists Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Audiologists 11% Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners 9% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Audiologists Do
Audiologists diagnose, manage, and treat patients who have hearing, balance, or related problems.
Duties
Audiologists typically do the following:
- Examine patients who have conditions related to the outer, middle, or inner ear
- Assess the results of the examination and diagnose problems
- Create treatment plans to meet patients’ goals
- Provide care for routine procedures, such as testing
- Fit and dispense hearing aids and other assistive listening devices
- Counsel patients and their families on ways to listen and communicate, such as by lip reading or through technology
- Evaluate patients regularly to monitor their condition and modify treatment plans, as needed
- Record patient progress
- Research the causes and treatment of hearing and balance disorders
- Educate patients on ways to prevent hearing loss
Audiologists diagnose conditions such as hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ear). They use a variety of devices to identify the extent and underlying cause of hearing loss. For example, with audiometers they measure the volume and frequency at which a person hears.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of a patient’s hearing loss and may range from cleaning wax out of ear canals to fitting and checking hearing aids. (Audiologists’ ability to diagnose as well as treat patients distinguishes their work from that of hearing aid specialists.) Audiologists work with physicians and surgeons treating patients whose hearing may be improved with cochlear implants, small devices that are surgically embedded near the ear to deliver electrical impulses to the auditory nerve.
Audiologists also counsel patients and their families on adapting to hearing loss, such as through use of technology, and may refer them to resources and other support.
In addition to their work related to hearing conditions, audiologists help patients who have vertigo or other balance problems. For example, they may demonstrate exercises involving head movement or positioning to relieve some symptoms.
Some audiologists work with specific age groups, such as older adults or children. Other audiologists may fit patients for products that help protect their hearing on the job.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Audiologists held about 14,200 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of audiologists were as follows:
| Offices of physicians | 26% |
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 26 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 16 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 10 |
Some audiologists, such as those contracted by a school system, travel between multiple facilities. Audiologists may work closely with other healthcare specialists, including audiology assistants (a type of medical assistant), physicians and surgeons, registered nurses, and speech-language pathologists.
Work Schedules
Most audiologists work full time. Some work weekends and evenings to meet patients' needs.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Communication skills. Audiologists need to convey information, including test results and proposed treatments, so that patients understand their diagnosis and options. Compassion. Audiologists should be empathetic and supportive of their patients, who may be frustrated because of their hearing or balance problems. Critical-thinking skills. In order to propose the best treatment options, audiologists must concentrate when testing a patient’s hearing and in analyzing the results. Interpersonal skills. Audiologists often collaborate with other healthcare providers regarding patient care. Patience. Audiologists work with patients who may have communication difficulties and need extra time or attention. Problem-solving skills. Audiologists must figure out the causes of hearing or balance problems and determine appropriate treatment options. They also must be able to propose alternatives if patients do not respond to initial treatment.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about audiologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.