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Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists

(D.O.T.  076.101-010, .104-010, and .107-010)

Nature of the Work

Speech-language pathologists assess and treat persons with speech,
language, voice, and fluency disorders; audiologists assess and
treat those with hearing and related disorders.

   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 speech quality
problems, such as inappropriate pitch or harsh voice; and those with
problems understanding and producing language.  They may also work
with people who have oral motor problems that cause eating and
swallowing difficulties.

   Speech and language problems may result from causes such as hearing
loss, brain injury or deterioration, cerebral palsy, stroke, cleft
palate, voice pathology, mental retardation, or emotional problems.
Speech-language pathologists use special instruments, as well as
written and oral tests, to determine the nature and extent of
impairment, and to record and analyze speech irregularities.  For
individuals with little or no speech, speech-language pathologists
select alternative communication systems, including automated
devices and sign language, and teach their use.  They teach other
patients how to make sounds, improve their voices, or increase their
language skills.

   Audiologists work with people who have hearing and related problems.
They use audiometers and other testing devices to measure the
loudness at which a person begins to hear sounds, the ability to
distinguish between sounds, and other tests of the nature and extent
of their hearing loss.  Audiologists may coordinate these results
with medical, educational, and psychological information, make a
diagnosis, and determine a course of treatment.  Treatment may
include examining and cleaning the ear canal, the fitting of a
hearing aid, auditory training, and instruction in speech or lip
reading.  They may recommend use of amplifiers and alerting devices.
Audiologists also test noise levels in workplaces and conduct
hearing protection programs.

   Most speech-language pathologists and audiologists provide direct
clinical services to individuals with communication disorders.  In
speech, language, and hearing clinics, they may independently
develop and carry out a treatment program.  In medical facilities,
they may work with physicians, social workers, psychologists, and
other therapists to develop and execute a treatment plan.  Speech-
language pathology and audiology personnel in schools also develop
individual or group programs, counsel parents, and assist teachers
with classroom activities, to meet the needs of children with
speech, language, or hearing disorders.

   Speech-language pathologists and audiologists keep records on the
initial evaluation, progress, and discharge of clients.  This helps
pinpoint problems, tracks client progress, and justifies the cost of
treatment when applying for reimbursement.  They counsel individuals
and their families about communication disorders and how to cope
with the stress and misunderstanding that often accompany them.
They also work with family members to recognize and change behavior
patterns that impede communication and treatment, and show them
communication-enhancing techniques to use at home.

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

   More than one-half of speech language pathologists and audiologists
work in schools.

Working Conditions

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists usually work at a desk
or table in clean comfortable surroundings.  The job is not
physically demanding, but does require attention to detail and
intense concentration.  The emotional needs of clients and their
families may be demanding and there may be frustration when clients
do not improve.  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.

Employment

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists held about 73,000 jobs
in 1992.  About one-half provided services in preschools, elementary
and secondary schools, or colleges and universities.  More than 10
percent were in hospitals.  Others were in offices of physicians;
offices of speech-language pathologists and audiologists; speech,
language, and hearing centers; home health care agencies; and other
facilities.  Some were in private practice, working either as solo
practitioners or in a group practice.

   Some experienced speech-language pathologists or audiologists
contract to provide services in schools, hospitals, or nursing homes
or work as consultants to industry.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

A master's degree in speech-language pathology or audiology is the
standard credential in this field.  Of the 43 States that regulate
speech-language pathologists and/or audiologists, all require a
master's degree or equivalent; 375 hours of supervised clinical
experience; a passing score on a national examination; and 9 months
of post-graduate professional experience.  For licensure renewal, 23
States have continuing education requirements.  Medicaid, Medicare,
and private insurers generally require a license to qualify for
reimbursement.

   In some States, people with bachelor's degrees in speech-language
pathology may work in schools with students who have communication
problems.  They may have to be certified by the State educational
agency, and may be classified as special education teachers rather
than speech-language pathologists or audiologists.  Recent Federal
legislation requires speech-language pathologists in school systems
in almost every State to have a minimum of a master's degree or
equivalent.  All States require audiologists to hold a master's
degree or equivalent.

   About 230 colleges and universities offered master's programs in
speech-language pathology and audiology in 1993.  Courses cover
anatomy and physiology of the areas involved in speech, language,
and hearing; the development of normal speech, language, and hearing
and the nature of disorders; acoustics; and psychological aspects of
communication.  Graduate students also learn to evaluate and treat
speech, language, and hearing disorders and receive supervised
clinical training in communication disorders.

   Those with a master's degree can acquire the Certificate of Clinical
Competence (CCC) offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association.  To earn the CCC, a person must have a master's degree,
have 375 hours of supervised clinical experience, complete a 9-month
post-graduate internship, and pass a national written examination.

   Speech-language pathologists and audiologists should be able to
effectively communicate test results, diagnoses, and proposed
treatment in a manner easily understood by their clients.  They also
need to be able to approach problems objectively and provide support
to clients and their families.  Patience and compassion are
important because a client's progress may be slow.

   With experience, some salaried speech-language pathologists and
audiologists enter private practice; others become directors or
administrators of services in schools, hospitals, health
departments, and clinics.  Some become researchers.

Job Outlook

Employment of speech-language pathologists and audiologists is
expected to increase much faster than the average for all
occupations through the year 2005.  Some job openings also will
arise from the need to replace speech-language pathologists and
audiologists who leave the occupation.

   Employment in the health services industry will increase as a result
of several factors.  Because hearing loss is strongly associated
with older age, rapid growth in the population age 75 and over will
cause the number of hearing-impaired persons to increase markedly.
In addition, baby boomers are now entering middle age, when the
possibility of neurological disorders and their associated speech,
language, and hearing impairments increases.  Medical advances are
also improving the survival rate of premature infants and trauma
victims, who then need treatment.

   The number of speech-language pathologists and audiologists in
private practice, though small, is likely to rise sharply by the
year 2005.  Encouraging this growth is the increasing use of
contract services by hospitals, schools, and nursing homes.

   Employment in schools will increase as elementary and secondary
school enrollments grow.  In 1986, Federal legislation guaranteeing
special education and related services to all eligible children with
disabilities, while originally designed for school-age children, was
extended to include children from 3 to 5 years of age.  This
legislation will also increase employment in day care centers,
rehabilitation centers, and hospitals.

Earnings

Median annual earnings of full-time salaried speech-language
pathologists and audiologists were $36,036 in 1992.  The middle 50
percent earned between $27,404 and $42,120.

   According to a 1992 survey by the American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association, the median annual salary for certified speech-language
pathologists with 1 to 3 years experience was about $29,050; for
certified audiologists, it was about $28,000.  Speech-language
pathologists with 16 years or more experience earned a median annual
salary of about $41,300, while experienced audiologists earned about
$45,000.  Salaries also vary according to geographic location.

   Speech-language pathologists and audiologists in hospitals earned a
median annual salary of about $33,916, according to a 1992 survey
conducted by the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Related Occupations

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists specialize in the
prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of speech, language, and
hearing problems.  Workers in other rehabilitation occupations
include occupational therapists, physical therapists, recreational
therapists, and rehabilitation counselors.

Sources of Additional Information

   State departments of education can supply information on
certification requirements for those who wish to work in public
schools.

   General information on speech-language pathology and audiology is
available from:

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


Communications Occupations