Audiology is the study of the hearing and balance organs, and their associated diseases and disorders. Audiologists are experts in the prevention, identification, evaluation, and treatment of hearing loss and balance problems. Audiologists use a variety of methods to test hearing, including pure-tone tests, speech audiometry, and immittance measures. They also use electrical impedance measures to test the balance organs.
Most people first encounter audiology as children when they are fitted with their first pair of hearing aids. But audiology is a field that is constantly evolving, and audiologists are now also involved in the development of new hearing technologies and the management of tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Audiology is an important field of research, and new discoveries about the hearing and balance organs are being made all the time.
Audiology and Audiology Exam
Audiology is the study of hearing, balance, and other auditory disorders. Audiologists are specialists who diagnose, manage, and treat these disorders. They also counsel patients and their families on the use of hearing aids and other assistive devices.
To become an audiologist, you need a doctoral degree in audiology from an accredited program. After graduation, you must pass a national certification exam.
Audiology is a rapidly growing field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of audiologists is projected to grow by 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The aging baby-boom population is the main reason for the growth. As more people experience hearing loss, the demand for audiologists will increase.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) offers three certification exams for audiologists: the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A), the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiometry (CCC-A), and the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). To become certified, you must pass all three exams.
The CCC-A is the basic certification for audiologists. It indicates that you have the knowledge and skills to provide quality care to patients with hearing loss and other auditory disorders.
The CCC-A exam covers four main areas:
1. Foundations of audiology
2. Assessment of hearing and balance
3. Evaluation and management of auditory disorders
4. Counseling and patient education
The CCC-A exam is designed to test your knowledge and skills in audiology. It is not a test of your clinical skills. Clinical skills are assessed through your clinical experience and supervisory logs.
The CCC-A exam is offered three times a year, in May, August, and November. It is a computer-based exam that is offered in English and Spanish. The exam consists of 200 questions and takes three hours to complete.
The CCC-A exam is designed to test your knowledge and skills in audiology. It is not a test of your clinical skills. Clinical skills are assessed through your clinical experience and supervisory logs.
Conclusion
Audiology is a field of science that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss and other disorders of the ear. Audiologists are specially trained to diagnose, manage, and rehabilitate patients with hearing disorders.
