What it is
Audiology prepares clinicians to diagnose and treat hearing and balance disorders — from hearing loss and tinnitus to vestibular problems — fitting hearing aids and providing rehabilitation. It's a doctoral-level clinical profession with strong demand.
What you'll study
The path runs through a bachelor's into the AuD:
- UndergraduateCommunication sciences & disorders or a related field
- Doctor of Audiology (AuD)Hearing science, diagnostics, amplification, and balance
- Clinical practiceExtensive supervised clinical training
Concentrations & focus areas
- Clinical AudiologyDiagnosis & treatment
- Pediatric AudiologyChildren
- Vestibular / BalanceBalance disorders
- Hearing Aids / AmplificationDevices
- Cochlear ImplantsImplants
- Industrial / EducationalHearing conservation
Skills you'll build
- Diagnostic testingHearing & balance evaluation
- Hearing technologyFitting devices
- Patient counselingGuiding patients
- RehabilitationAural rehab
- Patient careEmpathy
Careers & job titles
- AudiologistThe core role (~$87,740)
- Clinical audiologistPractices & clinics
- Pediatric audiologistChildren
- Vestibular audiologistBalance
- Hospital / ENT audiologistMedical settings
- Practice ownerWith experience
Job outlook & demand
The BLS projects audiologists to grow faster than average, driven by an aging population and hearing-health awareness. It's a smaller field with a doctoral entry requirement.
Pay: median, range & trajectory
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, audiologists had a median wage around $87,740. Practice ownership and specialization raise earnings; the AuD is the entry requirement.
Degree levels it's offered at
Offered across these levels — click a level to learn about it:
A bachelor's leads into the Doctor of Audiology (AuD) — the required entry degree — plus state licensure.
Is it right for you?
You might thrive here if you want a doctoral clinical role focused on hearing and balance, enjoy technology and patient care, and value autonomy.
Solid path: audiology offers good pay, autonomy, and steady demand — plan for the AuD.
Explore further
Keep exploring:
Key facts
- DegreeDoctor of Audiology (AuD)
- FocusHearing & balance disorders
- ProvidesDiagnostics, hearing aids, rehabilitation
- OutlookFaster than average (BLS)
- Pay~$87,740 median (BLS)
Where to learn more
Authoritative sources for careers and pay: