The Department of Communication Disorders offers a credit certificate program for an Audiology Assistant designed to enhance the preparation of individuals interested in entering the hearing health care field as Audiology support personnel.
In general, professional organizations in Audiology, such as the American Academy of Audiology and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, refer to Audiology support personnel as “Audiology Assistants”. Under existing California law, the only state-recognized category of Audiology support is “Audiology Aide”. The state of California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Licensing Board Department of Health Services offers a Registration to work as an Audiology Aide in medical clinics, audiology private practices, and in the public schools. State registration authorizes the holder to perform audiology services under the supervision of a registered Audiologist and audiology and hearing aid services under the supervision of a Dispensing Audiologist. These services may include hearing screening, hearing threshold testing, tympanometric testing, referral, assisting with pediatric testing and with other special testing such as ABR, ENG, and VNG; set up, troubleshooting, cleaning, evaluating and servicing hearing devices, and taking earmold impressions. Application for state registration requires that a licensed audiologist submit the application on behalf of the applicant, in part to verify supervision and to specify work responsibilities during employment.
Admission
- Completed 30 units of COMD coursework
- All COMD courses must be graded “C” or above
- BA degree in Communicative Disorders
Requirements for the Certificate
- BA degree in Communicative Disorders
- with no COMD course grade less than “C”
- Completion of the required courses (9 units)
