Should I become an SLP or audiologist? Here are the differences and similarities between these two careers.

Audiology and speech pathology are two promising careers that are pretty distinct in their focus.

However, such distinctions can confuse some people as both fields of medicine help improve communication.

While these careers train professionals in communication improvement, the real difference between audiology and speech pathology lies in the techniques and responsibilities.

With that said, this discussion will primarily dwell on the distinctions between both careers.

Audiologist vs. Speech Pathologist

Having started with a basic idea about the differences between audiology and pathology, let’s proceed to define what each career is about.

This will provide the basis for further comparisons. You can decide which of these careers to pursue with the answers given.

  • What is Audiology

In its basic definition, this branch of medicine deals with training licensed professionals to screen and test the ear. Based on the diagnosis of the results, treatment methods are devised and administered to the patient.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association explains the focus of audiology as “providing patient-centered care in the prevention, identification, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of hearing, balance, and other auditory disorders for people of all ages.”

For this to be possible, trained professionals will have to work closely with patients experiencing hearing loss problems as well as members of their families.

The goal is to restore or deal with the hearing loss issue.

Part of audiologists’ treatment and recovery process includes aiding patients with lip reading and learning sign language.

All kinds of measures, including optional treatments, might be used during treatment.

  • What is Speech Pathology

Also called a speech therapist, this medical professional stays true to their name as he provides speech therapy to help patients cope with speech and language difficulties.

Such a problem may also be tied to swallowing disorders within the purview of pathology.

As always, patients present varying degrees of problems. While some cases may be as essential as getting rid of an accent, others may be life-threatening.

Patients may range from kids to the elderly, including stroke patients trying to get back their speech.

Do Both Professionals Work Together?

Absolutely! The medical field is interdependent, with professionals collaborating by providing feedback on their diagnosis of a problem.

Each professional is trained in a specific area of medicine and can identify and address health challenges by collaborating.

Audiologists first screen and monitor the hearing issues a patient has. Having done that, such information or diagnosis is relayed to the speech pathologist.

Now both professionals collaborate in proffering a solution that involves creating leading auditory training.

In some situations, the speech pathologist administers speech therapy using information supplied by the audiologist. Here, it’s clear that the roles of these professionals are collaborative.

Difference Between Audiology & Speech Pathology

While we’ve provided specific differences between these two medical fields, the most definitive would be that audiologists are specialized doctors who test, diagnose, treat, and seek to prevent hearing and balance problems.

Speech pathologists,s on the other hand, have to deal with the mechanics of speech and other related problems affecting the vocal tract.

That also includes problems involving chewing and swallowing.

Persons aspiring to pursue a medical career under these specializations can determine what will be most rewarding and suitable.

Career Options for Audiologists and Speech Pathologists

Are you having trouble choosing between audiology and speech pathology? Let’s discuss opportunities.

Further comparing audiology and speech pathology will require looking at job options available for both medical careers.

As a licensed audiologist, you can start your private practice. Of course, this requires investment in all essential equipment necessary for your job.

Other audiology careers include clinical audiologist, pediatric audiologist, educational audiologist, and humanitarian audiologist.

You can also become a forensic audiologist, corporate audiologist, audiology assistant, and hearing aid specialist. Hearing screeners and professors are additional options.

Several career opportunities equally abound for speech pathologists.

As a licensed speech pathologist, you can pursue rewarding careers as a recreation therapist, interpreter, special education teacher, and English as a second language teacher.

More career options for speech pathologists include hearing aid dispensers, respite workers, audiologists, hospice nurses, and physical therapists.

You can also pursue careers as a linguist, occupational therapist, respiratory therapist, and otolaryngology physician.

Audiology vs. Speech Pathology Earnings

One of the primary considerations or motivations for going into the medical field is earning potential. Every medical profession has its earning potential.

However, this is primarily determined by your level of education. Further study, like pursuing a specialization or advanced degree, will attract higher pay.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average wage of an audiologist is around $83,900. This is over $30,000 more than the average wage for all occupations.

However, how much you earn as an audiologist will be determined by your level of training as well as your state of residence.

Speech pathologists earn a median salary of $80,480. The best-paid speech pathologists earn around $101,000 or slightly higher.

Some best-paying states include the District of Columbia, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and California.

Audiology vs. Speech Pathology Specialties

By getting into any of these medical professions, you can take advantage of the many opportunities for career advancement.

Audiology specialties you may find interesting include auditory brainstem response and acoustic reflex testing.

Others include behavioral observation audiometry, cochlear implant assessment, conditioned play audiometry, and electronystagmography.

In the case of speech pathology, you get the opportunity to advance your career by taking a variety of certification paths.

These include clinical competence certification in speech-language pathology (CCC-SLP) and board-certified specialist certification (BCS).

More speech pathology certifications include child language and language disorders certification (BCS-CL) and board-certified specialist in fluency and fluency disorders certification (BCS-F).

There are still more certifications, such as the board-certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders (BCS-S) certification, Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) certification, and PROMPT for restructuring oral muscular phonetic targets certification.

Picture exchange communications system (PECS) and certification for motor skills for language development are additional speech pathology certifications.

The comparisons above give you a clear idea of each medical career. You can use this knowledge to pick a preferred career path.