The Professions of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are concerned with evaluation, treatment, and research in human communication and its disorders. The masters degree is the entry level degree for speech-language pathology; a doctorate is the entry level degree for audiology. The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2002-2003 Occupational Outlook Handbook suggests that speech-language pathology and audiology will be among the hottest professions in the country in the next decade. The professions were ranked among the top 30 fastest growing occupations, with the number of audiology positions expected to grow 45% and the number of speech-language pathology positions to climb by 39% from 2000-2010.

Speech-Language Pathology

The bachelors/masters programs in the department of Communication Disorders and Sciences at Eastern Illinois University prepare students for careers as speech-language pathologists. Speech-language pathologists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, grade schools, rehabilitation settings, nursing homes, and home health care. A survey of the American Speech and Hearing Association's members reported that in 2001 66% of certified speech pathologists were employed in a school setting; 12% worked in hospitals. Speech-language pathologists work with children and adults. Speech-language pathologists treat such disorders as stuttering, delayed language development, speech dysarthria and apraxia, aphasia, swallowing problems, voice disorders, and articulation problems.

Audiology

The bachelor's program in Communication Disorders and Sciences at Eastern Illinois prepares students to pursue a graduate degree at another university in audiology. Audiologists specialize in prevention, identification, assessment, and rehabilitation of hearing disorders. They may prescribe and dispense hearing aids and instruct individuals with hearing loss in the use of the aid. Audiologists also are involved in programs of hearing conservation, particularily in industry, and serve as consultants to government in such areas as noise abatement. A survey of the American Speech and Hearing Association's members reported that most certified audiologists in 2001 were employed in either a nonresidential health care facility, such as a clinic or physicians office (50%), or in a hospital setting (23%).