14 Reasons Why Schools Need an Educational Audiologist

Approved by the EAA Board of Directors  ·  2026

Educational audiologists are uniquely qualified professionals who play a critical role in supporting students with hearing loss and auditory disorders in school settings. Their expertise spans evaluation, technology, training, and collaboration — ensuring that every student has equitable access to communication and learning.

The following 14 reasons outline the distinct and essential services that educational audiologists provide that cannot be fully replicated by other school-based professionals.

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Educational Audiologists Are Uniquely Qualified To:

1

Evaluate + Recommend

Perform comprehensive, educationally relevant hearing and central auditory processing evaluations and make recommendations to enhance communication access and learning.
2

Refer

Make appropriate medical, educational, and community referrals.
3

Collaborate

Collaborate with school, parents, teachers, support personnel, and relevant community agencies and professionals to ensure understanding of audiological assessment results and delivery of appropriate services.
4

Train

Provide training about hearing, hearing loss and other auditory disorders for school personnel, students and parents to facilitate a better understanding of the impact of auditory impairments on language, learning, literacy and social development.
5

Recommend Technology

Evaluate and make recommendations for the use of hearing aids, cochlear implants, Bahas (also known as Bone Anchored Solutions and Auditory Osseointegrated Devices), and personal, classroom and other hearing assistive technology.
6

Verify

Ensure the proper fit and functioning of hearing aids, cochlear implants, Bahas and hearing assistive technology used to access auditory information.
7

Analyze the Environment

Measure classroom noise, evaluate acoustics and make recommendations for improving the classroom listening environment.
8

Evaluate Placement + Needs

Assist in program placement decisions and make specific recommendations to address listening and communication needs.
9

Coordinate Screenings

Coordinate hearing screening programs for preschool and school-aged students ensuring professional standards are followed and screening personnel are appropriately trained.
10

Facilitate Programs

Facilitate programs for speechreading, listening, auditory training, communication strategies, and use and care of amplification devices, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and hearing assistive technology.
11

Manage Equipment

Manage the use and calibration of audiometric equipment.
12

Recommend Daily Living Changes

Make appropriate recommendations for daily living assistive technology (radio, television, telephone, messaging, alerting, and convenience) for students with hearing and listening problems.
13

Teach the Impact of Noise

Collaborate with students, teachers, and parents to facilitate a greater understanding of the impact of noise exposure and hearing loss prevention.
14

Spread Awareness

Provide community leadership and collaborate with community agencies to provide awareness of hearing and hearing loss and to assure that all children and youth with hearing loss are promptly identified, evaluated, and provided with resources and appropriate intervention services.