Speech pathologists and audiologists evaluate speech and hearing disorders and provide treatment. Speech pathologists work with children and adults who have speech, language, and voice disorders because of hearing loss, brain injury, cleft palate, mental retardation, emotional problems, or foreign dialect. Audiologists assess and treat hearing problems. Speech and audiology are so interrelated that expertise in one field requires thorough knowledge of both. Almost half of all speech pathologists and audiologists work in public schools; colleges and universities employ large numbers in teaching and research. The remainder works in hospitals, clinics, government agencies, industry, and private practice.
Places of Employment and Working Conditions
Speech pathologists and audiologists are employed throughout the country, but most of them are located in urban areas.
Speech pathologists and audiologists usually work at a desk or table in an office setting. While the job is not physically strenuous, it does require concentration and attention to detail and can be mentally exhausting. Some speech pathologists and audiologists work at several different facilities and spend a lot of time traveling.
Qualifications, Education, and Training
Patience is an extremely important personal characteristic for anyone who wants to work in this field since progress is usually very slow. The therapist must also be able to encourage and motivate the clients who are often frustrated by the inability to speak properly. Objectivity and the ability to take responsibility and work with detail are also necessary.
High school should include a strong science background.
A bachelor's degree with a major in speech and hearing or in a related field such as education or psychology is the usual preparation for graduate work.
Most jobs in this field require a master's degree. Graduate study includes supervised clinical training as well as advanced study.
The American Speech and Hearing Association confers a certificate of clinical competence (CCC) on those who have a master's degree, complete a one-year internship, and pass a written examination. Certification is usually necessary to advance professionally.
Potential and Advancement
The field for speech pathologists and audiologists is expected to grow as a result of population growth among those age 75 and older, the trend toward earlier recognition and treatment of hearing and language problems in children, recent laws requiring services for the handicapped, and the expanded coverage of Medicare and Medicaid programs. Any decreases in government-funded programs could change this employment picture.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (which lists speech pathologists and audiologists separately), the demand for speech pathologists and audiologists will rise by 21% and 29%, respectively, between 2014 and 2024. Thus, there will be excellent job opportunities and potential for advancement for people trained in this field.
Those with only a bachelor's degree will find very limited job opportunities; advancement will be possible only for those with graduate degrees.
Income
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that speech pathologists and audiologists earned median salaries of $73,410 and $74,890, respectively, in 2015.
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