Professions

1. Help select, fit, and dispense hearing aids and other amplification devices.

2. Speech Language Pathologist

2.1. Education:

2.1.1. Master's or Doctorate degree/Ph.D

2.1.2. Certificate of Clinical Competence: (CCC-SLP)

2.1.2.1. 25 hours of clinical observation.

2.1.2.2. 350 hours of clinical practice

2.1.2.3. 9 months of supervised clinical experience (CFY)

2.1.3. Passing score on National SLP Exam (NTE)

2.1.4. State license in practicing state

2.1.5. For school SLP: National Teaching Certificate

2.1.6. Continuing Education (CEU)

2.2. Work Settings:

2.2.1. School Systems

2.2.2. Hospitals

2.2.3. Rehabilitation Centers

2.2.4. Clinics

2.2.5. Nursing Homes

2.2.6. Independent Practice

2.3. Scope of Practice:

2.3.1. Help people who suffer from a communication disorder: speech; language(receptive/expressive); cognitive/social disorders.

2.3.1.1. Population:

2.3.1.1.1. Young Children

2.3.1.1.2. Mid-age

2.3.1.1.3. 65 years and older

2.3.2. Help people who have swallowing and feeding difficulties

2.3.3. Help with accent modification

2.3.4. Use evidence-based practice to identify, access, treat, and prevent communication disorders.

3. Audiologists

3.1. Education

3.1.1. Doctorate degree/Au.D

3.1.2. Certificate of Clinical Competence: (CCC-A)

3.1.2.1. Supervised clinical experience

3.1.3. Passing Score on National Exam

3.1.4. State license in practicing state

3.2. Work Settings:

3.2.1. Educational Settings

3.2.2. Hospitals

3.2.3. Clinics

3.2.4. Government Agencies

3.2.5. Industries

3.3. Scope of Practice

3.3.1. Audiologists work with people who suffer from a hearing disorder: auditory processing disorder (APD), hearing loss, hard of hearing, and deafness.

3.3.1.1. Population

3.3.1.1.1. Young age: hearing is screened at birth. Hearing deficits usually occur since birth. Help fit children for cochlear implants and hearing aids.

3.3.1.1.2. Mid Age: Age related hearing loss. Provide hearing aids. Audiologist provide hearing safety education to prevent hearing loss when older.

3.3.1.1.3. 65 years and older: Hearing loss caused by older age, loud noise exposure throughout the years, and/or diseases, and medications. Help fit for hearing aids.

3.3.2. Measure hearing ability

3.3.3. Use evidence-based practice to identify, assess, manage, and prevent disorders of hearing and balance.

4. Professional Aids

4.1. Speech-Language Pathology Assistants

4.1.1. Education:

4.1.1.1. Associates degree in an SLPA program

4.1.1.2. Or a Bachelor's degree in communication disorders program/or SLP program

4.1.1.3. Minimum 100 hours of supervised field work experience

4.1.1.4. Passing score on SLPA exam

4.1.2. Work Setting: work wherever a credentialed SLP is found.

4.1.2.1. Schools

4.1.2.2. Clinics

4.1.2.3. Hospitals

4.1.2.4. Rehabilitation Centers

4.1.3. Scope of Practice:

4.1.3.1. Assist SLP's with helping populations who suffer from communication disorders. They work alongside an SLP and are supervised.

4.1.3.1.1. Population:

4.1.3.2. Clerical and therapy related tasks.

4.1.3.3. Assist with prepping assessments and treatment materials.

4.2. Audiology Assistants

4.2.1. Eudcation

4.2.1.1. Minimum requirement: High School Diploma

4.2.1.2. Training program completion

4.2.1.3. License/ registration may be required depending on the state.

4.2.2. Work Setting: work wherever a credentialed Audiologist is found.

4.2.2.1. Schools

4.2.2.2. Government Agencies

4.2.2.3. Clinics

4.2.2.4. Industries

4.2.3. Scope of Practice:

4.2.3.1. Assist Audiologists with helping populations with hearing disorders. They must be supervised by a credentialed Audiologist.

4.2.3.1.1. Population:

4.2.3.2. Conduct clerical tasks and hearing screenings.

4.2.3.3. Manage equipment and materials such as: hearing aids.

5. Speech, Language, and Hearing Scientists

5.1. Education:

5.1.1. Doctorate: PhD or EdD in the field.

5.2. Work Setting:

5.2.1. Universities

5.2.2. Government agencies

5.2.3. Industry

5.2.4. Research centers

5.3. Scope of Practice:

5.3.1. Their main goal is to extend the knowledge of human communication processes and disorders in order to help clinicians better serve their population.

5.3.1.1. Population

5.3.1.1.1. Serve all populations:

5.3.2. Research of speech-sound production, nature of sound, and hearing.

5.3.3. Technology related research to help improve communication with clients who are unable to speak and/or hear. (ex: AAC device, hearing tests, hearing amplifiers, and hearing aids.)

5.3.4. They study different languages to get better insight on how language is developed.