Best Careers 2009: Audiologist

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so, Mam of Mi, what is the BA you got?

kathleen of FL 6:30PM May 15, 2011

In Sweden the training to be an audiologist is only three years. I have completed year one and it is fun. Becoming an audiologist you have some options besides just running the tests and distributing hearing aids. You can do research, teach at the university, or develop new technologies for the next generation of hearing aids. But you have to be driven and work really hard of course. Like with all other things life.

Maria Puente 11:55AM November 17, 2010

Do it only if you want to be told on a daily basis that the product you sell is too expensive and the services you provide are not worth the money. The older population we work with is a mixed bag of personalities, some of which are down right evil. Many of them take out their anger and frustration out on their audiologist. If you don't have the coping skills of I'm rubber and you're glue, this career is not going to be for you. It's high stress, high volume sales, low appreciation and little respect. You are generally either treated like a technician if you work for doctors or like you are over-educated if you sell hearing aids. Competition is fierce. Most audiologists are too smart and too caring for the career they chose and then they realize that they are not appreciated or paid well enough and get burned out and find another career with in 5-7 years of finishing school. It is so not worth it.
But I'm not bitter about my career choice or anything.

Dr.WishICouldQuit of NY 10:31PM November 03, 2010

The career field may have changed since I graduated with my M.A. in the early 90's. At that time(and still today) the jobs are part time with no benefits. Most jobs are working in doctor's offices and selling hearing aids. I was working with 3 different doctors just to get full time between the 3 and still working 6 days a week-with no benefits! As a young college (Master's level) grad it wasn't worth it. I went back to school and completed another Bachelor's degree and worked for more money/benefits than I ever could have gotten working in Audiology. I would suggest you check what postions are available before spending all of that money for a Aud.

MAM of MI 9:03PM October 18, 2010

i will take all my breath to become a qualified audiologist.... every breath i take, every move i make, i will strive to be one of those health professionals..

thantea 12:40PM June 16, 2010

With the switch to a doctoral degree, you can expect a large chunk of extra student loans to pay. The average pay is low, especially when compared to other fields in which you could get a doctorate degree.
Audiologists have almost no insurance and medicare reimbursements. This means that the hope for making money often relies on selling hearing aids. You could be doing that with a high school degree.
Look into pharmacy, optometry, PA degrees.

RWH of OK 8:42PM May 31, 2010

Harry of CA, ITS WORTH IT! Obviously the job itself will offer much more than money ever will but understandably, money is a factor...I recruit for Audiologists throughout NCAL. You will not find new grad audiologist in california working for $50k. Not now and certainly not when you are an audiologist. Those numbers are not specific to CA.

Inez of CA 3:37PM March 15, 2010

I'm an audiologist for the Department of Veteran Affairs and my job is stable for life. Veterans are a huge population (and the population continues to grow) and this job is far too rewarding to put into words. They make me smile each and everyday and I count my lucky stars that I am able to give a little something back for all they have done for me and my country. I have no fear of hearing techs as I've forgotten more than they will EVER know about hearing status, vestibular issues and amplified technology. In terms of pay I make far more than my peers but they does not play a factor for me. In the end, go with your gut and do what you think is right. Good luck.

VA Au.D. of AL 11:04PM March 10, 2010

well im just a freshman in college so I am at best 8 years away from my AuD. I am interested in this but is it really worth all the schooling because I have found that the average pay is about 50,000 that is not good for a doctor of any kind.

harry of CA 5:09PM March 03, 2010

The article spoke volumes "ear tech are doing more and more of what an audiologist does" and while ASHA regulates the career and says the job of an Audiologist is autonomous, I can't help but wonder if this job will go away not from hair cell regeneration (this doesn't help conductive loss) but because an ear tech and an ENT paired together can do the job of the audiologist.
I am trying to decide between SLP and Audiology and while I would prefer the job of the audiologist, this has me concerned enough that I might not go that route. Schooling is expensive, and I don't perceive the career to be as stable as some may lik eit to be.

Trying ToDecide of MO 3:25PM February 17, 2010