Day in the Life Series: Audiologist

An audiologist specializes and works with patients dealing with hearing loss. Audiologist patients range from infants to the elderly. Hearing is one of the five senses with which not everyone is granted. However, medical technologies have developed over the years, allowing an audiologist to receive the gift of hearing if the patient meets certain requirements. 10% of hearing loss is due to other medical issues. Audiologists will diagnose and treat his or her patients by using such things as hearing tests, otoacoustic emission measurements, videonystagmography, and electrophysiologic tests. Any variety of treatment options could result, including hearing aids and cochlear implants. In order to become an audiologist, medical students should have training in anatomy, physiology and neurology, among other domains. The Saint James School of Medicine offers these courses in MD1 and MD2, ahead of your clinical rotations should you wish to work alongside a practicing ear doctor. See the video below to get a great look into the typical day in the life of an audiologist—the gift of sound is not something to be taken for granted!