By Raquel M. Heacock
This article is a part of the July/August 2017, Volume 29, Number 4, Audiology Today issue. When posed with the question, “Why become an audiologist?” many of us have the same answer. It was not because the idea of working with hearing aids seemed thrilling or that we were yearning to fill out an audiogram on a daily basis. For most of us, it was because we have a strong innate desire to help people. This ideology goes hand in hand with the premise of humanitarian audiology efforts. The idea of humanitarian audiology or how to become involved may seem confusing or abstract, especially to students or early professionals. However, there are many resources and opportunities within your grasp that can be utilized to better serve your profession and community.
What Is Humanitarian Audiology?
Humanitarian audiology is using our audiology skills to serve our community and help bring hearing health care to those who may not receive it otherwise. In application, this can vary widely. Though the name can apply to traveling to faraway countries where access to hearing health care is limited, it can just as easily be used to describe serving within your own backyard. These efforts may include partnering with a number of organizations already in place to help facilitate humanitarian audiology, as well as becoming involved in initiatives within your local community.
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