An audiologist is a healthcare professional who deals with anything hearing-related. They assess the hearing loss, find the cause, and can also provide proper hearing aids in case the patient needs them. As you may have already guessed, audiology is related to science, and it has its own study path.
This article will guide you through how to get an audiologist degree, what kind of audiologist jobs in India you should expect, what kind of salary you should expect, and much more.
What does an Audiologist even mean?
First things first, let's properly address this term before moving on to the main topic. An audiologist is a healthcare professional, often called a “Hearing Doctor," since, well, they aid you in your hearing loss journey and make it better.
They do not perform surgery on their own, which makes them more approachable to those who fear syringes or any situation where skin needs to be cut, like a blood test.
They only use professional equipment to monitor the hearing situation of the patient. Like their name says, they only work with “Audio,” or “Soundwave,” to be exact. If you want to know more, click here; it'll give you a more detailed overview of what an audiologist is and what kind of work they perform on a regular basis.
Educational requirements for an Audiologist
Getting an Audiologist degree is the first step to becoming one. Similarly to most streams, there is a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and a PhD. Based on your goal, it can be either one of them or all at once. But it’s always wise to get your career counseled before jumping to conclusions.
For example, there are even audiology courses after 12th that give you a choice to make a career switch without wasting an additional 2 or so years. Check below for a deep understanding of how each education level works in an audiology degree:
- Bachelor in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (BASLP)
- A four-year course including one year of mandatory internship.
- Provides a foundation-level knowledge about audiology and speech therapy.
- Master in Audiology (AUD)
- A two-year postgraduate course.
- Aims to grant advanced knowledge about theoretical, research, and clinical audiologists.
- Mandatory requirement for most audiologist jobs in India.
- Master in Speech-Language Pathology (MASLP)
- A two-year postgraduate course for Audiologist in Speech pathology.
- It includes speech, swallowing, and language disorders.
- Doesn't include hearing loss.
- PhD in Audiology
- The highest form of degree in the department of audiology.
- Can take somewhere between 3-5 years.
- For those Audiologists who aim to do critical clinical research in hearing loss or become a professor in an Audiology Institutes.
A Master's degree is the minimum educational standard for an Audiologist. A PhD is reserved for those who are serious enough about making a change either as a scientist or as a professor in a big university.
Getting a PhD almost guarantees a high-paying Audiologist job in India, even in other countries. Meanwhile, a Master's degree is enough for an assistant role in any ongoing project.
Either way, it's a big undertaking, so make sure to pinpoint what your goal is, and then pick the appropriate audiology courses according to that.
Advantages of becoming an Audiologist
Audiologists can make a lot of difference in this world, especially towards the elderly, who often have the most hearing-related issues. But that's not all; a lot of children are born with hearing disorders, and the numbers are only growing with each passing moment. While the reasons for Audiologist are many, below are only the most important ones that people care about the most:
Big Demographic of Patients
Audiologists enjoy a peaceful time with a variety of patients. Mostly from above 60 years of age or below 20, which makes each day interesting and keeps the momentum going until they retire. No one can deny there is no greater bliss than helping your parents. And by being an Audiologist, you can experience the same bliss every day.
No Surgical Operations
Audiologists do not perform any surgical operation, nor are they given training for that. All of their main activities are done through tools and professional equipment.
More Job Opportunities
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the demand for Audiologists will increase by 11% in 2023 and 2033. We are already halfway through, so expect a lot of job vacancies popping up in hospitals, institutes, and so on.
Good Salary
The average audiologist salary in India is ₹30,000. People with years and years of experience can expect to earn more. This is a specialist field, after all, so there will always be a good paywall attached to it.
How to find audiologist jobs in India?
Finding a job has never been easier. Thanks to great job-hunting websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, Naukri.com, and so on. Now anyone can find their dream audiologist jobs in India in seconds.
For example, all they need to do is either search for “audiologist jobs in India” in Google or filter the job search on either of the mentioned websites above.
Make sure to directly contact any nearby companies that can offer you a position. It's always better to try to spark a conversation head-on; it leaves a lasting impression, and sometimes people get hired immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is there any good audiologist in Chennai?
Ans. Yes, Chennai has tons of good audiologist care centers like Denoc or Astra.
Q2. How do I know if I have hearing loss?
Ans. If you are having difficulty hearing or often ask them to repeat themselves, that’s a clear sign of hearing loss.
Q3. What is the leading cause of hearing loss?
Ans. Exposure to loud noises is the leading cause of hearing loss.
