Licensure/Certification Audiologists in Florida are licensed under the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. While completing a doctoral degree, the students must complete the equivalent of one full-time year of supervised clinical practice, and one hour of HIV/AIDS. Individuals who complete a master’s degree prior to 2007, including at least 350 hours of supervised clinical practice, nine months of professional employment and one hour of HIV/AIDS are also eligbile for licensure. Both master’s level and doctoral level students must also pass the national examination. Those with doctoral degrees (and until 2007 master’s degrees) may also obtain the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or the Fellowship-AAA (F-AAA) offered by the American Academy of Audiology. Continuing education hours are required every two years for license renewal. Salary In 2006, the average annual salary for audiologists in Florida was $63,647. Educational Programs Bachelor's Degree University of Florida University of South Florida AuD or PhD Degree (see academic advisor) Nova Southeastern University University of Florida University of South Florida Professional Associations American Academy of Audiology American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Audiologists specialize in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of patients suffering from hearing and balance disorders. Audiologists determine hearing problems by using special instruments such as an audiometer to measure the range, nature, and degree of hearing ability. They are also involved in the assessment of balance disorders related to mechanisms within the ear.

Once the presence and type of hearing loss are diagnosed, audiologists develop and implement an organized program of treatment for the patients. This may be done in consultation with other health care professionals such as speech-language pathologists, physicians, or psychologists. Treatment may include the dispensing and fitting of hearing aids, providing instruction in speechreading, auditory training, the use of listening devices, such as telephone and television amplifiers, working in conjunction with physicians for provision of cochlear implants, and providing counseling services to hearing-impaired individuals and their families. For patients with balance disorders, the audiologist works with physicians and physical therapists for the development of treatment plans.

Audiologist

Audiologists must be able to speak clearly, hear well, see well, have good use of upper extremities, offer encouragement and support, and be compassionate since the patient may have difficulty responding to instructions. The job requires attention to detail and strong concentration.

Areas of Specialization
Hearing aids, cochlear implants, pediatrics, educational audiology, balance and dizziness are areas of interest to audiologists.

Work Environment
Audiologists are employed in private practice, speech, language, and hearing centers, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes, physicians' offices, private practices, and in public school districts. Most work about 40 hours a week. Audiologists spend most of their time in clean, well-lighted, and comfortable surroundings.

Job Outlook
The number of Audiologists employed in Florida in 2006 was 305. It is projected that in 2014 there will be 335, an annual average growth rate of 1.2 percent. Increased educational requirements may limit the pool of workers entering the profession. Additionally, imitations on insurance reimbursements may slow growth in employment of -audiologists. Hiring of lower-paid ear technicians to perform the functions previously performed by audiologists in doctor’s offices to deal with decreased reimbursements may contribute to the downturn. Other factors unknown at this time may be contributory as well. While the overall employment outlook at this time is not vigorous, employment in educational services is expected to increase and retiring workers will need replacements.

Length of Training/Requirements
A master's degree in audiology is the minimum entry-level requirement and, effective in 2007, the minimal degree will be the doctorate. Applicants often have undergraduate work in audiology and speech-language pathology as well as in other fields, such as education, psychology, or the sciences. The audiology program includes courses in anatomy and physiology, hearing acoustics, instrumentation, pharmacology, geriatrics, hearing conservation, cochlear implants, vestibular evaluation and treatment, and hearing aids.

Advancement
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has approved the professional doctoral degree as the appropriate entering degree for the practice of the profession. All audiology programs in Florida now offer the Doctor of Audiology Degree (Au.D.), which is a 4-year post baccalaureate degree. For individuals wishing to become professors and researchers, several universities offer a Ph.D. in addition to the Au.D.