Speech/Language Pathologist/Audiologist
Field of Study — Therapy
Audiologists examine, test, evaluate and treat those with hearing disorders. Speech/language pathologists perform the same work for those with speech, language, voice, fluency or swallowing disorders. Both may work in private practice, schools, industry, hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, physicians’ offices, schools for the handicapped, nursing homes, colleges and universities, research laboratories and government agencies.
Audiologists:
- determine the range, nature and degree of hearing function and conduct physiological measurements.
- assist physicians in diagnosing an organic basis for a hearing disability.
- plan and conduct rehabilitation programs (e.g. counseling, auditory training and speech reading).
- conduct research in auditory systems.
- consult with educational, medical and other professional groups.
- fit patient with hearing aids; make recommendations and orient patients in their use.
Speech/language pathologists:
- identify speech and language disorders and seek to identify their causes.
- plan and conduct therapy for impairments such as aphasia and stuttering.
- counsel patients and families.
- consult with physicians, psychologists, physical therapists, social workers and teachers.
- conduct research related to speech and hearing processes and disorders.
- treat individuals with swallowing and other upper digestive disorders.
- provide accent reduction and voice improvement instruction.
Educational Requirements
Students interested in these careers should take the most challenging high school courses available in science, math, English and speech. Individuals must complete an approved college or university program in the area of interest, receive a master’s degree in the field and complete 375 hours of supervised clinical experience. There are separate licenses for audiology and speech/language pathology in Virginia.
Educational Institutions
Virginia Colleges and Universities
Hampton University College of Health, College of Health
James Madison University
Longwood University
Norfolk State University
Old Dominion University College of Health Sciences
Radford University
University of Richmond
University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Professional Associations
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
10801 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 897-5700
http://www.asha.org - Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia
P.O. Box 76
Bayse, VA 22810
1-800-487-4637
http://www.shav.org