March 11, 2004

Doctor of audiology now offered

Northwestern’s doctor of audiology (AuD) degree program is the newest offering in the University’s world-recognized department of communication sciences and disorders.

Doctor of audiology student Chris Hamilton records sound levels at the ear of a hearing research mannequin in preparation for a project examining environmental influence on ear-level hearing aid performance. The project will be conducted in the communication sciences and disorders department’s anechoic chamber (pictured) and involve older adults who are new hearing aid users. Results may have implications for future hearing aid design.

photo by Stephen Anzaldi

Ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report, the department began offering the AuD degree program in fall 2003. The program is accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Council on Academic Accreditation and prepares students to become independent clinicians.

The Northwestern AuD degree can be completed in three years by most students with an undergraduate background in communication sciences and disorders. Students without that background may need to take additional courses to meet certification requirements. The suggested plan of study is customized to meet individual needs.

In the first year, students acquire fundamental knowledge and participate in clinical observations and practicum. In the second year, they participate in on-and off-campus practicum and learn about advanced technologies, investigative methods, and professional communication.

Students in the new doctoral program work closely with faculty experts in hearing loss management, speech perception, psychoacoustics, amplification and cochlear physiology. State-of-the-art clinical facilities and experienced clinical instructors at the Northwestern audiology clinics in Evanston and at the Feinberg School of Medicine on the Chicago campus ensure outstanding practicum experiences.

For further information about this new doctoral program, call (847) 491-4541 or e-mail AuD@northwestern.edu.