Audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech and hearing scientists evaluate, treat, and conduct research in human communication and its disorders. Simply put, they facilitate human communication.

Millions of Americans with speech, language, or hearing impairments rely on audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech and hearing scientists to help them improve their quality of life by enhancing their ability to communicate with others. Professionals in speech-language pathology and audiology work in schools, hospitals, clinics, businesses, private practices, universities, research laboratories, and government agencies. They work with infants, children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly.

Nature of the work: Audiologists are specialists involved in the study of normal and impaired hearing, prevention of hearing loss, identification and assessment of hearing problems, and the rehabilitation of persons with hearing impairment.

Nature of the work: Speech-language pathologists evaluate, treat, and research human communication and its disorders. They treat speech and language disorders and work with individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly. They diagnose and evaluate speech, voice, and language disorders.

Although speech and language professionals work closely with teachers, physicians, psychologists, social workers, rehabilitation counselors, and other members of an interdisciplinary team, they are autonomous and do not work under direct medical supervision.

Nature of the work: Speech, language, and hearing scientists explore trends in communication sciences and disorders and develop strategies for improving or adding to the knowledge base in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology. These scientists provide the foundation upon which clinicians base their practice methodology.

Nature of the work: Research scientists investigate the biological, physical, and physiological processes underlying normal communication. They explore the impact of psychological, social, and psycho-physiological factors on communication disorders. Research scientists collaborate with related professionals (e.g., engineers, physicians, dentists, educators) to develop a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating individuals with speech, voice, language, and hearing problems.

The fields of speech-language pathology and audiology utilize support personnel who, following academic or on-the-job training, perform tasks as prescribed, directed, and supervised by ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists. There are different levels of support personnel based on training and scope of responsibilities. Various states may use different terminology to refer to support personnel in speech-language pathology (e.g., communication aides, paraprofessionals, and speech-language assistants).

For more information about qualifications and professional roles in speech-pathology and speech, language, and hearing science, visit the website of The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) at http://asha.org.