Understanding the number of practicing audiologists in the United States and their distribution across various settings provides a clear picture of the healthcare workforce available to address hearing and balance disorders. Assessing these workforce statistics is essential for determining the capacity of the U.S. health system to meet the population’s audiological needs.
Defining the Role of an Audiologist
Audiologists are licensed healthcare professionals who diagnose, manage, and treat individuals with a wide range of hearing, balance, and related sensory problems. Their responsibilities include performing comprehensive audiological evaluations to determine the type and severity of hearing loss, as well as testing for vestibular or balance disorders. These practitioners also select, fit, and dispense hearing aids and other assistive listening devices, providing patient counseling and aural rehabilitation. To enter the profession, audiologists must complete a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree, which is typically a four-year post-baccalaureate professional program.
Current Workforce Statistics
The most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment Statistics, under SOC Code 29-1181, indicates there were approximately 13,880 employed audiologists in the United States as of May 2023. This figure represents those actively working in the profession. It is important to note this number may differ from the total count of licensed or certified audiologists, as some practitioners may not be actively working or may be classified under different occupational codes.
Primary Employment Settings
The majority of the audiology workforce is concentrated in outpatient care settings, where practitioners operate with a high degree of autonomy.
Private Practices
The largest number of audiologists are employed in private practice settings, which includes both “Offices of Other Health Practitioners” and “Offices of Physicians.” This sector accounts for a significant portion of the total workforce, with 4,280 audiologists in other health practitioners’ offices and 3,510 in physicians’ offices as of May 2023. These clinics are often focused on diagnostic testing, hearing aid sales, and aural rehabilitation services.
Hospitals and Medical Centers
A substantial number of audiologists, approximately 1,720, work within general medical and surgical hospitals. In this setting, audiologists frequently collaborate with other medical specialists, such as otolaryngologists, neurologists, and speech-language pathologists, to manage complex cases. Their hospital roles often include newborn hearing screenings and comprehensive diagnostic testing for patients with underlying medical conditions.
Schools and Universities
Audiologists working in educational environments focus on minimizing the impact of hearing loss on a student’s academic performance and development. Elementary and secondary schools employed about 990 audiologists in May 2023, where they provide services such as hearing screenings, educational audiology, management of classroom listening technologies, and consultation to teachers and parents regarding communication strategies.
Government Agencies
A smaller portion of the audiology workforce is employed by various government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and state and local public health departments. The VA system is a substantial employer of audiologists, providing comprehensive hearing and balance care to veterans who often have service-related hearing loss.
Geographic Concentration and Density
The distribution of audiologists across the country is not uniform, leading to variations in service accessibility based on location. The density of audiologists is typically measured by the number of practitioners per capita, which highlights disparities between urban and rural areas. Audiologists tend to locate in metropolitan counties with higher median household incomes and younger populations. Conversely, many rural counties across the United States have a significantly lower supply of audiologists, which can create travel burdens for individuals seeking care. Metropolitan areas like Rochester, Minnesota, have demonstrated a high concentration of audiologists relative to their size, often due to the presence of large medical centers and specialized clinics.
Future Employment Projections and Demand Drivers
The outlook for the audiology profession projects a growth rate significantly faster than the average for all occupations. The BLS anticipates that employment for audiologists will grow by 9% between 2024 and 2034. This projected expansion is driven by several macroeconomic and demographic factors that are increasing the demand for hearing and balance services. The primary driver is the aging population, as the prevalence of hearing loss and balance disorders rises substantially with age. Increased public awareness regarding the long-term health consequences of untreated hearing loss also encourages more adults to seek diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, technological advancements in hearing aid devices and diagnostic equipment necessitate skilled audiologists to manage and program these increasingly sophisticated tools.