Chapter 1: The Profession of Audiology

Question 1

Evolution of Audiology

Answer 1

WWII: created the first widespread need for hearing services (speech pathology and otology)
Civilian Sector Expansion: success led to evolution of aural rehab centers around the country (staffed by speech pathologists)
Diagnostic Focus: 1960’s saw development of behavioral site-of-lesion. Beginning in 1970’s clinics moved increasingly toward electroacoustic and electrophysiologic measures to differentiate sensory from neural.
Dispensing and Diversification: ASHA dispensing prohibition lifted in the late 1970’s leading to a growth in private practice audiology. 1970’s and 80s emergence of the subspecialty areas of pediatric audiology, educational audiology, etc.

Question 2

Licensure vs Certification

Answer 2

Licensure: Required by all 50 states for audiologists to practice.
Certification: Not required for audiologists to practice and given by ASHA. An audiologist might choose to become certified if they want to supervise students

Question 3

Describe the reasons that speech-language pathologists may interact closely with audiologists as they provide services within their chosen professions

Answer 3

Speech-language pathologists may interact closely with audiologists because speech and hearing go hand in hand. A speech pathologist may recognize that a child is not producing sounds correctly and then may refer that child to the audiologist to see if the reason they aren’t producing sounds correctly is due to a hearing problem

Question 4

Discuss the impact of hearing impairment on individuals and society

Answer 4

There are several impacts of hearing impairments on individuals and society. Hearing impairment can delay development, delay language, hurt self-esteem, and affect people socially. Hearing loss will always be prevalent in today’s society because there will always be an older population and aging and hearing loss go hand in hand.

Question 5

List specialty areas within audiology and the employment settings within which audiologists may find themselves.

Answer 5

Medical Audiology
Educational Audiology
Pediatric Audiology
Rehabilitative Audiology
Industrial Audiology
Recreational Audiology
Animal Audiology