Hearing Aids Dispensers

State-licensed hearing-aid specialists need only a minimum amount of education, but have to pass tests proving their competence to administer hearing exams, fit devices and recognize underlying physical problems. Audiologists must have at least a master's degree, though they generally aren't medical doctors. Many states require that consumers be allowed to return hearing aids within 30 days.

New Audiology Clinic

Pensacola’s Holm Elementary School is getting a state-of-the-art audiology clinic at a price tag of $400,000. A ground-breaking ceremony was held Tuesday with representatives of the Sertoma clubs. The nonprofit organization supports those with speech and hearing disorders. The school district gave $125,000 to the project and Sertoma raised the rest. The 1500 square feet facility replaces the one located at West Pensacola Elementary. Better and newer testing equipment will be purchased for Holm from federal stimulus funds to serve the 200 students who are deaf or have hearing loss.

Carolina Wine Tasting

A wine Tasting event in New Bern, North Carolina this Saturday will benefit 20 deaf students who need special equipment that the schools they attend cannot provide. The effort is being lead by the vice president of the New Bern Breakfast Rotary Club Dr. Tom Joseph who is an audiologist. The March 28th event will take place at the New Bern Sheraton and feature some 70 wines. More information.

Audiologist with an Implant

Bill Raymond became the first cochlear implant recipient in Australia to also earn a degree as an audiologist. He graduated from the University of Queensland. Raymond was diagnosed at 15 months of age and received the implant when he was 13. A local Rotary Club helped pay for the surgery. Raymond is now helping children who are adjusting to their own cochlear implants.

Your Hearing Doctors

Otolaryngologist
A physician who specializes in problems of the ear.

Audiologist
A professional who can identify and measure hearing loss who can help you determine if you need a hearing aid.

University Delays Audiology Shutdown

The University of Tennessee is putting off a decision on whether to cut its Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology until October. Parents and program supporters came out Friday to rally in support of the department. US News and World Report ranks the program among the 25 in the country. Another program in the state, at Nashville's Vanderbilt University, is number one. The University of Tennessee says that even if the department closes, the Hearing and Speech Center will remain in operation. It serves some 2500 people.

Audiology Dept May Close

A rally yesterday in Knoxville brought out families of deaf children to protest cutbacks in the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology at the University of Tennessee. Budget cuts may lead to the department's shut down in the next couple of years. The programs helps some 2500 patients. A vote is planned this Thursday by the UT Board of Trustees on the department’s future.

Among America's Best

Gallaudet University is ranked 19th on US News & World Report’s best audiology programs in the country. All 230 programs in the audiology and speech-language pathology rankings are accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The U.S. News rankings are based on surveys completed by deans, other administrators and faculty.