Audiology is the branch of science and medicine that focuses on hearing, balance, and related disorders. Professionals in this field, known as audiologists, diagnose, manage, and treat patients with hearing loss or balance problems. They work with patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly.
Audiologists are trained to diagnose, manage and/or treat the following:
- Hearing Disorders: These disorders can occur in people of all ages and can result from a variety of causes including illness, genetics, exposure to loud noises, and aging.
- Balance Disorders: Audiologists can help diagnose and treat vertigo and other balance issues, which are often related to problems in the inner ear.
- Tinnitus: This is a common condition characterized by a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ears. Audiologists can help manage this condition, even though a complete cure is often not possible.
- Hearing and Speech Rehabilitation: Audiologists also provide rehabilitative services for patients with hearing impairments. This might involve fitting and adjusting hearing aids, assisting with cochlear implants, and providing auditory training and speech reading.
Audiologists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, private practice, schools, and research labs. They often work closely with otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat specialists), speech pathologists, and educators, among others.
Audiology Scholarshipsaudiology
There are many scholarships available for students pursuing a career in audiology. These scholarships can significantly alleviate the financial burden of higher education. Here are some examples:
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (ASHFoundation) Scholarships: ASHFoundation provides several scholarships for graduate students pursuing a degree in audiology or speech-language pathology.
- Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) Scholarship: The SAA provides scholarships to its members who have shown outstanding academic and leadership skills.
- Empowering Students Scholarship by the American Academy of Audiology: This scholarship is awarded to students who show exceptional promise and leadership potential in the field of audiology.
- American Academy of Audiology Foundation Scholarships: The Foundation offers several scholarships for audiology students, including the Jerry Northern Scholarship in Pediatric Audiology and the Judith Blumsack Scholarship for students demonstrating exceptional promise in auditory processing disorders.
- James and Susan Jerger Awards for Excellence in Student Research: These are given annually to audiology students who have conducted outstanding research projects.
- The Capita Foundation Scholarship: This scholarship offers financial aid to students studying audiology or speech-language pathology.
- The Educational and Memorial Foundation Scholarship of the American Auditory Society (AAS): This scholarship is available to students pursuing graduate study in audiology.
These are just a few examples, and many universities also offer their own scholarships to students enrolled in their audiology programs. The award amounts, eligibility requirements, and application deadlines vary for each scholarship, so students should research each one carefully and apply well before the deadlines.
