Speech-language pathologists and audiologists

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Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, treat and help to prevent speech, language, cognitive, communication, voice, swallowing, fluency and other related disorders. Audiologists identify, assess and manage auditory, balance and other neural systems.

Speech-language pathologists work with people who cannot make speech sounds or cannot make them clearly; those with speech rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering; people with voice quality problems, such as inappropriate pitch or harsh voice; those with problems understanding and producing language; those who wish to improve their communication skills by modifying an accent; and those with cognitive communication impairments, such as attention, memory and problem solving disorders. They also work with people who have oral motor problems causing eating and swallowing difficulties.

Speech and language difficulties can result from hearing loss, brain injury or deterioration, cerebral palsy, stroke, cleft palate, voice pathology, mental retardation or emotional problems. Speech-language pathologists use written and oral tests, as well as special instruments, to diagnose the nature of impairment and to record and analyze speech, language and swallowing irregularities. They develop an individualized plan, tailored to each patient's needs. They keep records on the initial evaluation, progress and discharge of clients. They counsel individuals and their families concerning communication disorders and how to cope with the stress and misunderstanding that often accompany them.

Some speech-language pathologists conduct research on how people communicate. Others design and develop equipment or techniques for diagnosing and treating speech problems.

Audiologists work with people who have hearing, balance and related problems. They use audiometers, computers and other testing devices to measure the loudness at which a person begins to hear sounds, the ability to distinguish between sounds and the nature and extent of hearing loss. Audiologists interpret these results and may coordinate them with medical, educational and psychological information to make a diagnosis and determine a course of treatment.

Hearing disorders can result from a variety of causes including trauma at birth, viral infections, genetic disorders, exposure to loud noise or aging. Treatment may include examining and cleaning the ear canal, fitting, dispensing and adjusting hearing aids or other assistive devices and audiologic rehabilitation (including auditory training or instruction in speech or lip reading). They also measure noise levels in workplaces and conduct hearing protection programs in industry, as well as in schools and communities.

Some audiologists may conduct research on types of, and treatment for, hearing, balance and related disorders. Others design and develop equipment or techniques for diagnosing and treating these disorders.

These jobs are not physically demanding but do require attention to detail and intense concentration. The emotional needs of clients and their families may be demanding. Most full-time speech-language pathologists and audiologists work about 40 hours per week; some work part time. Those who work on a contract basis may spend a substantial amount of time traveling between facilities.

Training and qualifications

Of the states that regulate licensing, almost all require a master's degree or equivalent.

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists should be able to effectively communicate diagnostic test results, diagnoses and proposed treatment in a manner easily understood by their clients. They must be able to approach problems objectively and provide support to clients and their families. Because a client's progress may be slow, patience, compassion and good listening skills are necessary.

Job outlook

Employment of speech-language pathologists and audiologists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2010. Because hearing loss is strongly associated with aging, rapid growth in the population age 55 and over will cause the number of persons with hearing impairment to increase markedly.

Employment in schools will increase along with growth in elementary and secondary school enrollments, including enrollment of special education students.

The number of speech-language pathologists and audiologists in private practice will rise due to the increasing use of contract services by hospitals, schools and nursing homes.

Earnings

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists held about 101,000 jobs in 2000. Speech-language pathologists held about 88,000 jobs; and audiologists held about 13,000. About one-half of jobs for speech-language pathologists and audiologists were in educational institutions.

Median annual earnings of speech-language pathologists were $46,640 in 2000. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of speech-language pathologists in 2000 were as follows:

Hospitals $49,960
Offices of other health practitioners 47,170
Elementary and secondary schools 43,710

Median annual earnings of audiologists were $44,830 in 2000.

Related links

For information on careers in speech-language pathology and audiology:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 10801 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852.

For information on a career in audiology:

American Academy of Audiology, 8201 Greensboro Dr., Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102.

Adapted from the Labor Department's Occupational Outlook Handbook.