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Original Articles

Audiology education and practice from an international perspective

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Pages 647-664 | Received 28 Oct 2007, Published online: 07 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

This paper describes the international education and practice of audiology with the broader aim of proposing possible cost-effective and sustainable education models to address the current situation. Major audiology organizations worldwide were surveyed from February 2005 to May 2007, and organizations from 62 countries (78% of the world population) returned a completed survey. Overall, the results suggested a wide range of professionals providing hearing health care, and 86% of the respondents reported a need for more audiologists. There was also considerable variation in the scope of practice among the different hearing health care professionals, and the minimum education levels of audiologists with similar scopes of practice. The countries surveyed fell into four broad categories in terms of professional resources, and the results highlighted the urgent need for forward planning at both national and international levels. The study highlights options for addressing some of the challenges in educating audiologists and the provision of hearing health care services globally.

Abbreviations
EFAS=

European Federation of Audiological Societies

ENT=

Ear nose and throat surgeon/otolaryngologist

GNI=

Gross national income

ISA=

International Society of Audiology

WHO=

World Health Organization

Abbreviations
EFAS=

European Federation of Audiological Societies

ENT=

Ear nose and throat surgeon/otolaryngologist

GNI=

Gross national income

ISA=

International Society of Audiology

WHO=

World Health Organization

Sumario

Este artículo describe la educación internacional y la práctica de la audiología con un propósito más amplio de proponer modelos educativos posibles en costo/beneficio y sostenibles para analizar la situación actual. De febrero 2005 a mayo 2007 se encuestaron organizaciones audiológicas importantes y organizaciones de 62 países (78% de la población mundial), regresaron la encuesta respondida completamente. En general los resultados sugieren que existe un amplio rango de profesionales que ofrecen atención en salud auditiva y 86% de los encuestados reportaron la necesidad de un mayor número de audiólogos. También hubo una gran variación en el enfoque de la práctica entre los diferentes profesionales de la audición y en los niveles mínimos de educación de los audiólogos que hacen una práctica similar. Los países encuestados se agruparon en cuatro amplias categorías en términos de recursos profesionales, y los resultados resaltaron la urgencia de planear a futuro, tanto a nivel nacional como internacional. El estudio destaca las opciones para enfrentar algunos de los retos de educar audiólogos y de proveer servicios de salud auditiva a nivel global.

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