As technology changes, universities try to adapt. That’s happening now at Ball State's Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology.

According to David Coffin, audiology clinic coordinator, Ball State is one of the first universities to offer a new doctoral degree in audiology. The Au.D. will replace the master’s degree in audiology which is currently being phased out.

"Central Michigan was the first program to open and continue to offer the degree. Ball State was next and opened a year after Central Michigan," said Coffin.

According to Coffin, the field has changed significantly since the master’s degree was the standard entry level degree.

"New technology and research have expanded the field of audiology into many areas that were not even imagined 30 years ago," Coffin said. "The scope of practice for an audiologist has expanded to the point that there is not enough time to fit in all the coursework,"

While Coffin points out that technology has changed the field, he also points out that the two-year master’s leaves little time for all the classwork and required clinical experience.

In the past, a Ph.D. has been an option in audiology, though it was research based. The Au.D. is a clinically-based degree.

Coffin sees the field changing from a master’s to a doctoral field. About eight years from now, an audiologist will need a doctorate to be certified. While the professionals currently working in audiology will still retain their certification, newcomers must have the doctorate in order to earn certification.

Coffin believes the job market is looking good for audiologists in general. He attributes this to two factors. First, the population is growing older, in part, due to the baby boomer generation.

Second, people are now more aware of hearing loss and the options available for those who experience hearing impairment.

For the most part, an Au.D. audiologist will work anywhere one with a master’s might find employment now. For example, audiologists work in hospitals, private practice, medical clinics, schools and assorted other settings.

"One goal of the Au.D., which has traditionally not been a focus of the master’s programs, is to prepare audiologists to go into private practice," Coffin said. "The audiology graduate students provide a full range of audiological services in the Speech, Language and Hearing clinic as part of their clinical practicum."

While the fees for these services are reasonable, people with a direct connection to Ball State qualify for a fee waiver for diagnostic tests. This includes retired faculty and staff. Regular faculty, staff and students also qualify as do members of their family living within the same household.

"Many people within the Ball State community are unaware of the services provided by the Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic," Coffin said.

The clinic will even provide hearing instruments and assistive devices at a reasonable price. Those who are interested in arranging appointments or gaining more information may contact the clinic at 5-8160. Coffin may be contacted at dcoffin@bsu.edu.

By Michael Yattaw, graduate assistant for Campus Update