Q&A

Subject: What is an audiologist
From: JL, Newfoundland, Canada

I am writing up a report about the ear. You know, all that stuff like how sound is transmitted to the brain, different types of hearing aids, and different professions. I was "surfing" the net and I came to your web page. I was hoping that maybe you could give me some details about what Audiologists, E.N.T. Specialists and Itinerant Teachers for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing do. Thanks!

Dear JL,

Audiologists are professionals in diagnosing hearing problems and in developing rehabilitation plans for individuals who have hearing loss. You must have a master's degree in audiology, hundreds of hours practicing under supervision, a year of internship and state licenses in most parts of this country. In most US states, audiologists will have to have a doctorate degree (AuD or PhD) in the near future. Audiologists work in hospitals, public and private schools and in private practices.

ENT specialists are physicians who have gone to school extra years beyond medical school in order to specialize in diseases of the ear and the medical and surgical treatment of these problems. ENT actually means Ear, Nose, and Throat. Some of these specialists treat all three areas while others specialize in just one. An ear specialist is called an otologist. A specialist in ears and throat is called an otolaryngologist. while one specializing in all three is an otorhinolaryngologist!!!

Teachers for the deaf have degrees in education and may work in special schools for the deaf or teach special classes in regular school. "Itinerant" simply refers to teachers who travel around because they serve several different schools.

Good luck on your report. Send me a copy if you get a chance.

Solveig