Audiology is the study of hearing, hearing disorders, and habilitation/rehabilitation for individuals who have hearing loss. It encompasses the study of how the hearing mechanism works; the assessment of hearing; hearing and listening disorders; and the rehabilitation of individuals who have hearing loss.

Audiologists have master's and/or doctoral degrees from accredited colleges or universities. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association awards a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology ASHA-certified audiologists use the designator, "CCC-A" after their degree. The ASHA-CCC-A indicates that this audiologist has met national requirements and attained the highest level of preparation for audiology.

The practice of Audiology includes:

• Identification, assessment, diagnosis management, and interpretation of test results related to disorders of human hearing, balance, and other neural systems.
• Otoscopic examinations and external ear canal management such as cerumen (earwax) removal.
• Conducting tests of hearing, balance and neural system dysfunction.
• Conducting and supervising newborn hearing screening programs.
• Measurement and interpretation of tests for neurophysiologic intra-operative monitoring and cranial nerve assessment.
• Provision of hearing care including selecting, evaluating, fitting, facilitating adjustment to, and dispensing:

1. Hearing aids
2. Cochlear implants
3. Sensory aids
4. Hearing assertive devices
5. Alerting systems
6. Telecommunication systems
7. Captioning devices