Home Page > Why An Audiologist?

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	What is an audiologist?

	An AUDIOLOGIST is the only university trained professional who specializes in evaluating
	and treating people with hearing loss. Audiologists have extensive training and skills to
	evaluate the hearing of people of all ages. Audiologists conduct a wide variety of tests to
	determine the exact nature of an individual's hearing problem. Audiologists present a
	variety of a treatment options to patients with hearing impairment. Audiologists dispense
	and fit hearing aids and other assistive devices, and they provide hearing rehabilitation
	training. Audiologists provide services in the area of hearing loss prevention, and they
	provide tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment strategies. Audiologists refer patients to medical
	practitioners when the hearing problem needs medical evaluation or surgical treatment.
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	Most audiologists are employed by the Australian Government in their numerous Hearing
	Centres. The majority of the remainder are employed in hospital and other clinical settings,
	government research, or university teaching positions. Relatively few are employed in
	independent private practice, as are Nolene Nielson and Will Tonisson in Hearing Solutions.
	Both are members of the Australian Association of Audiologists in Private Practice
	(AAAPP), the body representing the professional interests, ethics and competency standards
	of independent audiological private practice.
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	Does an audiologist have any medical qualifications?
	The minimum requirement for new audiology graduates is a Master's degree in Audiology.
	Some audiologists have earned doctoral degrees (Ph.D.) enabling them to use the professional title of "Doctor". Audiologists are experts at helping people with hearing problems. They do not prescribe medication or perform surgery. The oto-rhino-laryngologist (the ear, nose and throat specialist) is a medical doctor who specialises in the medical and surgical intervention for disorders of the ear, nose and throat. Should a medical condition be detected during an audiological assessment, the audiologist refers the person for a medical opinion.

	How is an audiologist different to an audiometrist?
	Hearing aid audiometrists also assess and treat hearing loss with hearing aid fittings. They sometimes have technical college qualifications and/or receive training from their employer. Audiometrists do not have university qualifications in the hearing sciences, and are not trained to conduct diagnostic hearing evaluations. If they have demonstrated appropriate competency standards, they may be accredited to fit hearing aids to pensioners under the Australian Government OHS scheme. The Australian College of Audiology (ACAud) was formed to represent the common interests of both audiologists and audiometrists, and to provide continuing education to both professions. This has been to the ultimate benefit of the clients of both professions.