Seriously what a waste

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Just curious - so are you advocating a backdoor way of becoming a physician? Why not attend or apply to medical school and become an ENT since it already has the scope of practice you're interested in?
It seems to me the people who typically want reform (in optometry, audiology or whatever mid-level provider field) are those that are unhappy with their current profession and reform through legislation is the easiest way to "advance" their careers.


That's not what I am advocating in the least. As I stated in previous posts prior to the one you pulled my quote from, I am advocating for 2 main things:
1) For patients to have a "streamlined" process and access to a Doctor Network that is already taking care of their Auditory needs without having to be bounced back and forth between Otolaryngologist and Audiologist for each specific problem in the Auditory function.
2) For Audiologists to be the Primary Auditory Professionals in the field; first responders if you will that take care preventive as well as rehabilitative ear care.

I understand that Audiologists are ill equipped to take care of severe medical issues and that is not what I am pushing for, though obviously with the ability to prescribe there would be some minor overlap with an ENT. There are many problems and procedures that Audiologists would not be educated enough, experienced enough, or comfortable enough to accomplish in a competent manner- obviously these would be referred off.

Regarding your question about going to Med. school, I am already a bit older as this will be a second career. In addition to that fact, I want to open a private practice so 4 more years of school, (I am estimating about) 3 years of working under another Audiologist to learn the actual "ins" and "outs" of real world practice, and then trying to open my own practice is a long enough timeline for me. I did not want to go to 4 years of Med. school, Externship, Residency, and then finally start practicing- I would be into my 40's by then and the amount of years I had the ability to work would not cancel out the debt accrued. It would not be worth it to me. Audiology allows me to get into Healthcare, make a difference in someone's life, open a private practice/my own business, and work with a function of the body that I enjoy.

I don't think legislation is an easy way to reform this profession to earn additional capabilities, and in fact, I think it's going to be a long and major uphill battle that I may or may not benefit from during my career. However, I also feel like that is an area that could be and needs to be expanded in order for the profession to continue to not only stay relevant, but move to the forefront of field as the Auditory specialists.

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Unfortunately you'll all find at some point in your careers that for many health systems or hospitals that audiology doesn't matter. You won't receive a whole lot of support (or pay either) and you constantly be treated like a fast food worker. Occupational therapy and physical therapy will be treated much better than you. Why? Because they have a more marketable skill set and they have the backing of the orthopedic surgeons. See folks the med docs are the ones who run hospitals. Unfortunately otolaryngology will never be the money maker orthopedic surgery is. So we suffer because of it. As a profession we need a better marketable skill set other than just what a tech can do.

Don't get me wrong I love audiology and love being an audiologist, but the juice isn't worth the squeeze. If could trade my AuD in today for all tuition and fees paid for physician assistant school or to become a nurse practitioner I would. Hell at this point I've even considered going the two years to become an occupational therapist. Those jobs are everywhere and pay much better than audiologists.

If we could develop our skill set, say to what nursing offers or be able to prescribe even minor meds such as a nurse prac, then we'd see a huge bump in pay and a huge increase in demand. Unfortunately at this time we don't offer that. I won't discourage anyone from being an audiologist. I'll never put someone's dream down, but I won't encourage anyone to go into this field. I look back at my undergrad (two pre med degrees) and look at the 4 years in graduate school I spent and just shake my head. It wasn't worth it to me personally.

Others may think differently. That's why they call them opinions.
 
Unfortunately you'll all find at some point in your careers that for many health systems or hospitals that audiology doesn't matter. You won't receive a whole lot of support (or pay either) and you constantly be treated like a fast food worker.

Well there is your problem, working in a hospital. That is the problem with many audiologists (generalizing), they are content with working in a hospital and for ENTs. Most ENTs consider audiologists their lap dogs. That needs to change, and audiologist need to be more active in advocacy instead of just b*tching about it. It ain't gonna get done itself.
 
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Unfortunately you'll all find at some point in your careers that for many health systems or hospitals that audiology doesn't matter. ]


First thanks for someone who banned me. What a shame, where is free speech?
Appears those who live in denial continue to hammer those who speak out and want to guide the rest from falling into the hole.

Thanks new poster for agreeing with my first post.. Yes, audiology as a profession is poorly compensated lacks power, lacks anything.
yes b**itching is not bad... it helps vent out. what are you doing Big alabama? how much traction has anyone gotten in this industry..

again i call out to all who are trying to enter this profession to stay away please please please goget a NP or PA degree or even OT pT as someone said
make a living.
wonder why American Red cross CEO wants million dollars as salary? its helping people right then why such salaries?? so money is important
 
First thanks for someone who banned me. What a shame, where is free speech?

Private entities are not bound by the constitutional amendment for free speech. If you got banned, it was because you violated the terms of service agreement to which you agreed when you created an account.
 
Private entities are not bound by the constitutional amendment for free speech. If you got banned, it was because you violated the terms of service agreement to which you agreed when you created an account.


Yeh ??? what was the service agreement?
burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
 
Well there is your problem, working in a hospital. That is the problem with many audiologists (generalizing), they are content with working in a hospital and for ENTs. Most ENTs consider audiologists their lap dogs. That needs to change, and audiologist need to be more active in advocacy instead of just b*tching about it. It ain't gonna get done itself.

Your'e still young in the tooth so I take your harsh comment with a grain of salt. I am not an employee of the ENT's in our hospital. I am part of a rehab department (standard set up). I've also worked in hospitals where I was in my own office and functioned more like a practitioner, been part of rehab department, part of a speech and hearing department, worked with ENT's, for ENT's. Worked with otologists. I've been around the block.

I find it highly hypocritical that you generalize ENT's yet I'm sure if you were generalized in the stereotype that all audiologists are technicians with a pseudo doctor complex, you'd be upset too right? Also I'm very active in my state organizations. Trust me I've been in the trenches awhile and I've done my fair share to promote this field. I'm not complaining about audiology. Like I said it's a great field, but knowing what I know now, if I had known it 15 years ago, I'd be in a different field.

The entire us vs. them complex people seem to foster about audiologists and ENT's really is hurting our profession. Advocacy starts in your professionalism and how you interact with your peers. At the hospital I work at the ENT's often call me for advice on hearing aids. Pediatricians often ask my opinions on what to do with kids with suspected hearing loss. Working in the office with the ENT works the best for audiologists. Why? Wait until you start looking at reimbursement and patient flow. When you have the ENT two doors down you benefit. Can't get that impacted cerumen out? Have the doc come down and remove it. Can't get that hearing test? ENT doc can order sedated ABR. See something strange and think the patient needs an MRI? ENT orders it and patient goes straight to labs. And so on. It's a good relationship. It works for both parties and for patients. You can scream until your blue in the face to the hospital administration, but in the end it will get you nowhere. The physicians are who carry the big stick in most settings. It's good to work with them. I say work with I didn't say for.

As for taking jobs with low pay. I'm decently paid for my state for a non-profit hospital and my benefits are second only to the VA. I also can work 4 10 hour shifts of 3 12's. My hospital also will foot the entire bill for me to work full time and go to school if I want to pursue further education. Pay isn't everything. Some people have families and friends they don't wish to leave so you take the best deal you can get in your area. When it comes down to paying your bills and paying back your student loans you'll be surprised what you'll do. Also when you have a family you might understand more. Idealistic and young go hand in hand.

So I suggest in your future endeavors, you speak with tact and know how to negotiate. A harsh tongue and bull head will get you nowhere. As my mother always said you get more flies with honey than vinegar.
 
My comments weren't directed at you. But my point still stands, that working in hospitals is what will drag down the profession.

PS. I've been around, I'm not straight out of undergrad.
 
let's look at some data.

this information is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. it refers to all employed audiologists, meaning they work for someone else. it does NOT capture the income of those who own their own practices.

Mean national annual salary: $69,840

here is the link for more info http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291181.htm#nat

Industry Employment (1) Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Offices of Physicians 3,610 0.16 $33.45 $69,570
Offices of Other Health Practitioners 2,600 0.39 $35.76 $74,380
Health and Personal Care Stores 2,370 0.24 $31.24 $64,970
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 1,390 0.03 $34.77 $72,320
Elementary and Secondary Schools 1,280 0.02 $31.01 $64,510

Now... data from a survey of audiology practice owners...

Mean annual owner compensation: $110,023.
Mean hearing professional employee compensation: $76,014.

Phonak Market Research. (2011). A survey of key metrics for benchmarking a hearing practice. Hearing Review, 18(6), 24-34.


it seems to me like the dichotomy is really between being an employee or an owner.
 
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however i also agree that hospitals can have a negative impact on audiologists' provision of care.

i'm sure it depends on the hospital but in my one internship experience at a hospital, audiology didn't exactly get a lot of support from the administration. i actually saw patients in a storage room sometimes. apparently one time the OAE machine broke and it took the hospital 6 months to decide if it was worth repair. i could go on.... it seemed like it was all about the bottom line for a lot of things.
 
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Haven'tbeen on here in awhile but always good to come back and find someinteresting (albeit depressing in this case) discussions.... Many ofthese topics hit close to heart for me so I’ll touch on a few ofthem and hope that you all find it interesting and/or helpful. I gotcarried away with how much I wrote but regardless, hope you have afew minutes to take the time to read it..

Does the field of audiology suck insome regards? Of course. Does every field suck in someregards? Sure. Does audiology suck worse than otherfields? Hell if I know – it’s the only real job I’ve everworked. It sure beats bleeding for other people wrenching on theircars and running electrical wires through their restaurants though(both of which I have done to help pay for living expenses duringgrad school and other times).

Also, as an afterthought – Idefinitely agree that we have our fair share of dull colored crayonsin our industry. But the same is true in all fields. A room full ofphysicians and a room full of audiologists will have an equal numberof people whose IQ’s are less than the distance I can throw a 5 lbrock. Unfortunately.

First off, someone made an interestingpoint about the lack of hard science background in the field. Iagree with that statement. Lack of science background seems to makefor acceptability of MOSTLY poor research in the field. This holdstrue only as it relates to hearing aids and the gibberish “research”that manufacturers spout – but somehow we as the target audienceallow them to continue this. Unfortunately, doing real research ONhearing aids is discouraged by manufacturers and thus we can’t getfunding by the manufacturers to perform said research. I'd love tosee the hearing aid manufacturers start to sweat and get forced intomaking changes that we really want. Students you have potential todo some major game changing research while you’re still affiliatedwith your university during your thesis! Knowing what I know now Iwish I had worked harder on different topics during school for thisvery reason.

Pay. Obviously people want to becompensated for their efforts. This topic always comes into theforefront of a discussion like this. When I’ve had discussionswith private practice owners throughout the country when I traveledfor work, I realized that the three groups of owners really do exist– early adopters, mid group, and the laggers. The early adoptersare the ones that both bring change to the industry and make themajority of the money. Audiologists are incredibly stupid businesspeople (readily admit that I sure as hell am!) but the money’sthere. You can make a fortune in this industry if you do it right soif money is your deal get on it! The more people making lots ofmoney, the better off our field will be as far as lobbying power,credibility, and presence within our communities.

But if you’re not an owner, youbetter expect to bust ass to draw a high salary. If you want a 6kfigure you’re not gonna get it seeing 10 patients in a day in arelaxed fashion and pretending that’s busy. Our Saturday clinicshave between 20 and 30 patients, 1 practitioner, and we only work0900-1500. Chart notes are written 1500 til we’re done. This pastweek I was at the clinic until 2100. To give you a quick personalinsight here, I fairly easily afford everything that I want on mysalary and I'd have a house too if I didn't live right outside SanFrancisco. Some of my hobbies include building and racing cars,building custom stereos and home theaters, and traveling and are forthe most part, not cheap. And I'm just an employee.

REAL scope of practice is somethingthat we learn nothing about in graduate school. When you enter thereal world, you’ll realize that more than ½ what you learned isn’tpracticed anymore. Lack of diagnostics in the real world (i.e.:non-teaching hospitals) is something we need to just deal with. Whatwe learn is not being used at this point for good reason. Unless youcontinue working in a teaching hospital or work in a governmentposition (VA or military) the cost vs. diagnostic relevance on an ABRvs. MRI is unjustifiable. Also, the lack of useful treatmentinformation from a VNG makes the cost of testing prohibitive. Thatsaid, I miss doing real diagnostics and would LOVE to figure out away to implement these tests (and late evoked potentials) in my ownoffice.

For those people who spend a majorityof their day working with hearing aids, there needs to be a change inmentality as it relates to sales. We need to remember that we arehealthcare providers and not salespeople. Unfortunately, our bossesmake more money on sales (at this point) and so that becomes thepush. That said, we need to always maintain our patient’s bestinterest. I actually encourage my hearing aid patients to considerthemselves as a case study. We know their success in their currentcondition (whether aided or unaided) and if the change in conditionyields improvement, then the cost-benefit needs to be weighed. Thefunctional improvement seen on paper means nothing if the patientdoesn’t feel the improvement is significant and we need to be awareof that.

I’ve spoken with lots of people onthe topic of prescriptions. About all I really want to deal with“medically” are external issues. Everything else just getscomplex and I don’t need any lawsuits on my hands. That said, mosteverything that goes on in the external canal can be resolved with abit of cortisone cream, “castellani paint,” and drops, routinechecks, cleaning/debriding procedures – which we SHOULD be doing atthis time and most offices which have adopted microscopes ARE doing. Infections and other conditions can arise if we are negligent aboutquality and health of the skin. The reality is at this time we arenot well trained in the use of prescriptives and while I’d likethat to change, we also need to realize that our malpractice willincrease with increased responsibility. Then again, with increasedresponsibility we have increased compensation.

Proactivity vs. Reactivity. This is avery valid point and I applaud whoever first said it in this thread. If we can get to the point that we don’t need to fit hearing aidsfor noise induced loss anymore I’d be the happiest camper ever. Weneed to be overseeing noise dosimetry and taking a more proactiveapproach towards hazards. Bringing your localpolicemen/firemen/construction workers/you get the idea in every Xtimeframe for routine audiometric exams to make sure they’reprotected in as appropriate a manner as possible is something that isimmensely important. When the chief of police has to retire officersbecause they can’t function at work due to hearing and then have topay for disability along with hearing aids for life they really startto pay attention to what you have to say…. A proactive approachtowards patient medications can be warranted as well althoughsometimes hearing just isn’t that big a deal in the scheme of life.

One thing that I think coincides withthis discussion is a question that patient’s often ask: “Why YOUas opposed to Costco?” And for the patients, it’s a justifiablequestion because they can’t see what we’re trained on as comparedwith a dispensing license. While we’re transitioning as a field(whether our profession fails or moves towards a position similar tothat of optometry or dentistry) we will need to make this unfortunatejustification. Yes we know more about the auditory/vestibular systemthan is healthy, yes we know all about threshold testing, yes we knowsyndromes and diseases of the ear. But does it matter to patients? We need to differentiate ourselves by increasing our availability, byCORRECTLY using outcome measures and real ear, and by maintaining alevel of professionalism that is commensurate with our new degrees. And we need to up our A-game if we want to survive professionally.

In my opinion, everything tiestogether. Better salary comes with increased responsibility which isdependent on increased scope and quality of practice and increasedpatient volume. I’ve been fighting my emotions in regards to allthis since I graduated in 2006 and learned what the field REALLY isabout. I still haven’t come to the conclusion if I’m going tostay in the field or go back into medicine. But in the meantime,those of us who remain can keep fighting for the changes that willmake the field into what it should be. And hopefully two generationsof audiologists from now won't have to face the same crap that we allare.
 
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Wow! What a hot discussion! I wasn't planning on participating, but I felt I needed to contribute to this discussion. I, too, am a recent AuD graduate, and am very happy with the profession I chose. Yes, I understand the pay can be less than stellar, but that's why you do the appropriate research before you jump in feet first. My plan wasn't to get rich, but to do something I love. What's even better is, when I did graduate, I found a job where I would be making great money. I will be doing vestibular evaluations with a private company, and I am also looking into intraoperative monitoring. Both are within our scope of practice, both require a higher level of thinking, and with both you can be well compensated for your skills. I say, not to be so quick to pigeon-hole this profession. I am finding that there are a few roads less traveled, where you can do what you love, and still do well finanacially. Like others have said previously, this is still a young profession, and changes will not be made overnight. If this is really what you want to do, keep your eyes and mind open to what opportunties may present themselves to you. If you're finding this is something you don't want to do,....well,..... hey,......... it happens. Everything is not for everybody. Good luck in your search. The best descion is the most informed one.:)
 
Wow! What a hot discussion! I wasn't planning on participating, but I felt I needed to contribute to this discussion. I, too, am a recent AuD graduate, and am very happy with the profession I chose. Yes, I understand the pay can be less than stellar, but that's why you do the appropriate research before you jump in feet first. My plan wasn't to get rich, but to do something I love. What's even better is, when I did graduate, I found a job where I would be making great money. I will be doing vestibular evaluations with a private company, and I am also looking into intraoperative monitoring. Both are within our scope of practice, both require a higher level of thinking, and with both you can be well compensated for your skills. I say, not to be so quick to pigeon-hole this profession. I am finding that there are a few roads less traveled, where you can do what you love, and still do well finanacially. Like others have said previously, this is still a young profession, and changes will not be made overnight. If this is really what you want to do, keep your eyes and mind open to what opportunties may present themselves to you. If you're finding this is something you don't want to do,....well,..... hey,......... it happens. Everything is not for everybody. Good luck in your search. The best descion is the most informed one.:)

you know you spend too much time on facebook when you're looking for the "like" button on some website and getting frustrated you can't find it. :)
 
Pahaha... Love the cliff notes comment!:laugh:
 
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WOW! I can't even begin to weed through everything on this thread...

First, for those of you that decided not to use your AuD. Why are you still here? If getting your AuD was such a waste of time, then isn't trolling our message boards even more of a waste of time... stomping on the hopes and hearts of others is just plain mean.

Second, this is my 2nd career after teaching (well almost, I graduate in May)...and I stumbled upon it. and LOVE it. I enjoy giving people the means to communicate more effectively with their loved ones... It has never been about the $ for me, but being how I have tons of student loans, and a family to help provide for (finally)...it has its place...

That being said, I have a job in another state (in the midwest) waiting for me...I have purposefully not posted my salary, but I am guaranteed six figures within 5 years. I likely will have a chance to become co-owner also. No commission. This is a medical model private practice. The jobs are out there, you have to seek them out... you can't expect to find your dream job where your live now, or your hometown, etc.

I really think that Audigy Group, AHAA, and groups like that are really holding down our pay because it is most profitable for them and their clients. While I think that AuD's deserve more, we are the ones that need to be willing to demand more. (I know easier said than done).

My main point is... stop wasting your time dwelling on something that didn't work out for you! Maybe it isn't working out that well for you because you dwell on the negative...

I have never been more hopeful than I am now...Direct Access is coming (within the next few years)... All of you just be glad you aren't finishing school at the age of 32 (like me) with 2 kids and a husband with expensive hobbies to support :D
 
WOW! I can't even begin to weed through everything on this thread...

First, for those of you that decided not to use your AuD. Why are you still here? If getting your AuD was such a waste of time, then isn't trolling our message boards even more of a waste of time... stomping on the hopes and hearts of others is just plain mean.

Second, this is my 2nd career after teaching (well almost, I graduate in May)...and I stumbled upon it. and LOVE it. I enjoy giving people the means to communicate more effectively with their loved ones... It has never been about the $ for me, but being how I have tons of student loans, and a family to help provide for (finally)...it has its place...

That being said, I have a job in another state (in the midwest) waiting for me...I have purposefully not posted my salary, but I am guaranteed six figures within 5 years. I likely will have a chance to become co-owner also. No commission. This is a medical model private practice. The jobs are out there, you have to seek them out... you can't expect to find your dream job where your live now, or your hometown, etc.

I really think that Audigy Group, AHAA, and groups like that are really holding down our pay because it is most profitable for them and their clients. While I think that AuD's deserve more, we are the ones that need to be willing to demand more. (I know easier said than done).

My main point is... stop wasting your time dwelling on something that didn't work out for you! Maybe it isn't working out that well for you because you dwell on the negative...

I have never been more hopeful than I am now...Direct Access is coming (within the next few years)... All of you just be glad you aren't finishing school at the age of 32 (like me) with 2 kids and a husband with expensive hobbies to support :D


I am so with you on this one!! I am 34 and just finishing my BS applying for AuD programs... hubby and two kids in tow!
 
WOW! I can't even begin to weed through everything on this thread...

First, for those of you that decided not to use your AuD. Why are you still here? If getting your AuD was such a waste of time, then isn't trolling our message boards even more of a waste of time... stomping on the hopes and hearts of others is just plain mean.

Second, this is my 2nd career after teaching (well almost, I graduate in May)...and I stumbled upon it. and LOVE it. I enjoy giving people the means to communicate more effectively with their loved ones... It has never been about the $ for me, but being how I have tons of student loans, and a family to help provide for (finally)...it has its place...

That being said, I have a job in another state (in the midwest) waiting for me...I have purposefully not posted my salary, but I am guaranteed six figures within 5 years. I likely will have a chance to become co-owner also. No commission. This is a medical model private practice. The jobs are out there, you have to seek them out... you can't expect to find your dream job where your live now, or your hometown, etc.

I really think that Audigy Group, AHAA, and groups like that are really holding down our pay because it is most profitable for them and their clients. While I think that AuD's deserve more, we are the ones that need to be willing to demand more. (I know easier said than done).

My main point is... stop wasting your time dwelling on something that didn't work out for you! Maybe it isn't working out that well for you because you dwell on the negative...

I have never been more hopeful than I am now...Direct Access is coming (within the next few years)... All of you just be glad you aren't finishing school at the age of 32 (like me) with 2 kids and a husband with expensive hobbies to support :D

ABSOLUTELY!!!! I'm totally with you! I also finished when I was 32, and that may be why we, as "non-traditional" students look at this from a different perspective. I worked as a Speechie for many years before I deceded to go back to school. So we've been out there in the "real" world and experienced life for a bit. We know and understand the importance of optimism and positive thinking! :)
 
Ultimately, I am always hesitant to take what any veteran of the field says verbatim. That's not to say I arrogantly discard what experienced audiologists have to say (quite the opposite). But you're selling yourself short if you adopt any sort of 'this is the way it is mentality' IMO. I value the input of experience and wisdom, but don't forget that everyone's views are shaped subjectively in some way. As a professional, I plan to find the circumstances in a work environment that I want. If that doesn't work, I'll try to make them (credit to George Bernard Shaw). It always irks me when audiologists go out of their way to tell me that I'm in for a rude awakening.
 
ultimately, i am always hesitant to take what any veteran of the field says verbatim. That's not to say i arrogantly discard what experienced audiologists have to say (quite the opposite). But you're selling yourself short if you adopt any sort of 'this is the way it is mentality' imo. I value the input of experience and wisdom, but don't forget that everyone's views are shaped subjectively in some way. As a professional, i plan to find the circumstances in a work environment that i want. If that doesn't work, i'll try to make them (credit to george bernard shaw). It always irks me when audiologists go out of their way to tell me that i'm in for a rude awakening.

+1
 
This is the best thread that I have come across so far. Really challenges the whole concept of cardiology business and future.
Can the passionate folks like me here share details of what they learnt at 2012 Boston conference? rather than keep posting freebies and drinks etc session details?
phew
 
So basically, you want a knowledge-freebie.

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This is the best thread that I have come across so far. Really challenges the whole concept of cardiology business and future.
Can the passionate folks like me here share details of what they learnt at 2012 Boston conference? rather than keep posting freebies and drinks etc session details?
phew


Cardiology???? I don't imagine that much was learned about cardiology at AAA...just sayin' :p
 
This is the best thread that I have come across so far. Really challenges the whole concept of cardiology business and future.
Can the passionate folks like me here share details of what they learnt at 2012 Boston conference? rather than keep posting freebies and drinks etc session details?
phew

We all paid our registration fees or volunteered a days work to learn. Not that I learned much about cardiology anyways. Are we being trolled by a spam bot?
 
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Maybe it was an april fools joke??

I think the article was very good too. I've actually gotten to meet Dr. Keetay and am pretty excited for the program she is heading up. She has a great vision for the program and how to educate and prepare future audiologists.

I think its amazing that AAA was business oriented this year. We are starting to realize the challenges ahead of us. We won't come across the solution quickly and easily and it's up to us to be part of the solution.
 
Can the passionate folks like me here share details of what they learnt at 2012 Boston conference? rather than keep posting freebies and drinks etc session details?
phew

it is possible to be passionate, learn a bunch, and still enjoy free drinks and food. this is pretty much the definition of graduate student.

clearly there is an ethical issue at hand in this, but that's a whole different discussion.
 
Freebies are pretty important for us poor students!!!
 
Note to self: never take advice about how to be happy from people who are not happy.
 
As a recent Communicative Disorder graduate I would like to add my $0.25. On our first Audiology class, the professor did state the lack of Audiologist in future career projections. In short, we live in a market economy, this immediately translated into a "supply vs. demand" logic, lack of supply of AuD could translate into a lucrative career, therefore more $$$. Many of my peers are in the process of pursuing this path, I choose not to, simply because of economics. Yes passion play a great role in a career selection, and I do see potential for AuD to become a more potent career path, BUT, we live in a market economy, today the average student loan debt is around $26,000 undergrad, plus graduate school debt that avg around $46,000. $60k to $70k student debts is a serious matter, compounded by the fact that it's much easier to get a student loan than a mortgage, these figures can compound itself very fast. The path to AuD is more cowboy country than paved roads to a stable career! Especially if I'm planning on starting a family and paying for a mortgage. As far as the quality of people, well that's a value judgment, relative to all individuals, all profession have their outliers!

Simply, as a student the audiology professor presented a salient case, making the career very attractive, but as a consumer, because really, all students are, what she was asking is to risk my indebtedness to a profession that is still fighting for widespread market stability! I could not bring myself to risk it.
 
As an audiologist with more than 15 years experience I find this thread to be really interesting. My experience is that some people will find this to be a very rewarding career, however for some, me, it became boring and unchallenging very quickly.

As an audiologist you will be greatly overtrained for what you do-I use maybe 1% of what I learned in school. My day consists of hearing tests (know the word lists by memory), hearing aid evaluations, and fittings. My salary is very fair (100K plus) but I have been doing this a long time and came to the realisation years ago that I am really just a salesman. I sell hearing aids. I do it ethically and without pressure, but I am still a salesman.

To 50% of my patients I am a technician to the other half I am a physician. To 99% of the other health professionals I am a technician.

The job is easy, I am paid fairly but it is not intellectually stimulating. I graduated with no debt. To those looking at 4 years of debt I would tell them to really investigate the profession. Spend a week shadowing an audiologist if possible. Could you do what they do year in and year out for the next 35 years?
 
Every student has a choice to make when deciding on a future career path. IMO the choice has lot less to do with what career path to take (i.e. audiologist, nurse practitioner, engineer, physician, etc.) and much more about your drive to have a "career" versus a "job". If you enter into any field expecting to be able to do the average amount of work, but still have an amazing career you are wrong. If you want to have an amazing career, then you have to work harder than 80% of the other people in that career during and after school. Audiology is just like any other field. The top 20% of the jobs are amazing, high paying, exciting, and intellectually stimulating jobs and in order to get one of those you have to be one of the best in the field. The next 40% of jobs are "good" jobs which pay is average or better and are at least intellectually stimulating some of the time. You still have to work hard to get these jobs during AND after school. The last 40% of jobs are low-paying, low-respect, tech-like jobs. If you go into an Au.D. program and do not give your best your odds of landing a job in the lower 40% are good and you will likely be unhappy in the field as these jobs should be saved for hearing instrument specialists. All fields are like this. A career is what you make of it.
 
Good information to know. Certainly should be taken into consideration.
 
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Having a hearing disability, I see an audiologist for exams and hearing aid check ups. I never know how to address someone with an AuD -- so I prefer not to address them at all. My experience with the whole procedure of testing/diagnosing someone with a hearing impairment is an unimpressive one. Anyone with average intelligence could walk right into this field with barely nothing more than a high school education. I am that unimpressed. One is basically a salesman hawking vastly over priced hearing instruments that mostly amplify sound. And I should address you as Doctor? Just like today's pharmacist who mostly dispenses/packages meds (a pill counter) you will not have me addressing you as doctor. I consider it awkward as well as stilted.
 
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