Career as an Audiologist in India: Courses, Hearing Testing Work and How to Begin

Updated 30 Oct 2026

At a glance

An audiologist tests hearing and balance, diagnoses hearing loss and fits hearing aids and other devices; many in India enter through a bachelor's in audiology after Class 12 science.

An audiologist is a health professional who tests hearing and balance, identifies hearing loss and helps people manage it. The work includes fitting and adjusting hearing aids, counselling patients and families, and referring people to doctors when medical treatment is needed.

Students usually find the career through a bachelor's programme in audiology or speech and hearing after Class 12 science. Some also ask about a B.Sc route and about the Au.D, a doctoral audiology programme offered mainly in the United States. Before choosing a course, check that it is recognised for practice in India, because rules for who can test and fit hearing aids differ by country.

Hearing care is a people-focused job. It suits students who enjoy science, want steady clinical work, and are patient with children and older adults who may need time to adjust to a hearing aid.

Minimum Qualification: Class 12 in Science stream
Typical Degree: Bachelor of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology
Expected Entry Salary: To be confirmed
Entry-level to Senior: To be confirmed
Job Demand Growth: To be confirmed
Work Hours: Usually clinic or hospital hours
Places of Work: Hospitals, ENT clinics, hearing aid centres

What Does an Audiologist Do?

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Take a patient's case history and talk through their hearing concerns, symptoms and family history.
Carry out hearing tests such as pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry and tympanometry to measure hearing level and middle ear function.
Run tests for balance and dizziness, and for tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and record the results clearly.
Select, fit and programme hearing aids and check that they suit the patient's hearing loss and daily needs.
Counsel patients and families on hearing loss, hearing aid use, care and communication strategies.
Work with ENT doctors, speech-language pathologists and teachers, especially when managing children with hearing loss.
Keep accurate patient records and follow the rules on privacy and clinical documentation.

Where They Work

Audiologists in India typically work in hospitals with ENT departments, private audiology and ENT clinics, hearing aid centres and speech and hearing institutes. Some work in schools, early intervention centres or rehabilitation centres that support children and adults with hearing difficulties.

Some audiologists work with hearing aid manufacturers, in product training, clinical research or teaching at colleges. Pay, job titles and the exact duties vary between employers, so compare job descriptions carefully.

How to Become an Audiologist in India?

After Class 10

Choose the Science stream in Class 11 and 12, with physics, chemistry and biology. Biology is useful for understanding the ear, hearing and the nervous system.

After Class 12

Apply to an undergraduate programme in audiology or speech and hearing, such as the Bachelor of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology. Check each college's admission rules, as some use Class 12 marks and others use an entrance test.

Undergraduate

Build hearing test skills through lectures, lab work and clinical placements. Learn to use audiometers, tympanometers and hearing aid fitting tools under supervision.

Postgraduate and Specialisation

A master's degree can support work in paediatric audiology, cochlear implant programmes, balance disorders or research. Check whether your chosen course is recognised for clinical practice.

Licence / Certification

Check the registration or licence needed to practise as an audiologist or to fit hearing aids in India and in any country where you plan to work. Rules differ by role and state.

First Job

Start as a junior audiologist or audiology assistant in a hospital, ENT clinic or hearing centre. Build experience in testing, counselling and hearing aid fitting before moving into senior or specialist roles.

Health, Wellness & Fitness Tech

Special Educator

Education & Learning Technology

Eligibility and Subjects Required

Stream and Subject Requirements

Science stream in Class 12 with physics, chemistry and biology or mathematics, as required by the college (check the specific programme).
Biology is helpful for understanding the ear, hearing and speech production.
Some programmes ask for a minimum aggregate in Class 12 science subjects. The exact percentage varies by college and should be checked on the official admission notice.

Minimum Qualification

Class 12 with Science for undergraduate audiology or speech and hearing programmes.
A bachelor's degree in audiology or a related recognised course is usually needed for audiologist roles.
A master's degree or specialist training may be needed for senior clinical, research or teaching roles.

Courses and Degrees for Audiologist

Undergraduate Degrees	Postgraduate Degrees	Certifications & Short-term Courses
Bachelor of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (duration to be confirmed) B.Sc in a related life science or speech and hearing course (duration to be confirmed; check whether it leads to audiology practice)	Master's in Audiology (duration to be confirmed) Master's in Speech and Hearing Sciences (duration to be confirmed)	Hearing aid fitting and programming workshops (duration varies) Paediatric audiology and early hearing detection short courses (duration varies)

Undergraduate Degrees
- Bachelor of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (duration to be confirmed)
- B.Sc in a related life science or speech and hearing course (duration to be confirmed; check whether it leads to audiology practice)
Postgraduate Degrees
- Master's in Audiology (duration to be confirmed)
- Master's in Speech and Hearing Sciences (duration to be confirmed)
Certifications & Short-term Courses
- Hearing aid fitting and programming workshops (duration varies)
- Paediatric audiology and early hearing detection short courses (duration varies)

Skills Required to Become an Audiologist

Technical Skills

Pure tone and speech audiometry
Tympanometry and middle ear testing
Otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem response testing
Hearing aid fitting and programming
Balance and vestibular assessment basics
Clinical documentation and patient record keeping

Soft Skills

Empathy and patience with patients of all ages
Clear communication with patients and families
Attention to detail
Teamwork with doctors and therapists
Calm handling of distressed or frustrated patients

Senior Audiologist, Clinical Head of Audiology, Audiology Lecturer or Research Lead
Managing a clinic or department, complex cases such as cochlear implant programmes, training and teaching

Career Opportunities and Job Roles

Audiologist (Clinical)

Tests and diagnoses hearing and balance problems in a hospital or clinic.

Paediatric Audiologist

Tests newborns and children and supports families and schools on hearing needs.

Hearing Aid Specialist

Selects, fits and adjusts hearing aids and follows up with users.

Cochlear Implant Team Member

Supports the assessment, programming and rehabilitation of cochlear implant users, working with surgeons and speech therapists.

Audiology Assistant

Supports testing, record keeping and patient flow in a clinic or hospital.

Industry Clinical Specialist

Trains clinics on hearing devices and supports product use, where the employer is a hearing device company.

Audiology Lecturer or Researcher

Teaches future audiologists or studies hearing and balance conditions.

Scope and Future of Audiologist in India

Demand for hearing care is linked to ageing populations, noise exposure, early childhood hearing screening and greater awareness of hearing loss. Audiologists are needed in hospitals, clinics and community programmes that test and support people with hearing difficulties.

Growth areas include paediatric audiology, cochlear implant programmes, tinnitus and balance services, and hearing aid technology. Audiologists who combine clinical skills with counselling, communication and digital tools can build strong careers across hospitals, private practice and industry.

Audiology is also a field that can take students abroad. Licensing and registration rules differ by country, so students planning to work overseas should check the requirements of the country they plan to move to before choosing a course.

Is Audiologist
the Right Career for You?

Audiologist can be an exciting career, but the right choice depends on more than academic eligibility.

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Audiologist: Frequently Asked Questions

What is an audiologist?

An audiologist is a health professional who tests hearing and balance, identifies hearing loss and helps people manage it. They fit hearing aids, counsel patients and families, and refer people to doctors such as ENT specialists when medical treatment is needed. The work involves patient contact, testing equipment and regular follow-up.

Which course should I take after Class 12 to become an audiologist?

The usual route is an undergraduate programme in audiology or speech and hearing, such as the Bachelor of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology. Students should check that the college is recognised and that the course leads to a qualification accepted for practice in India. Admission rules and entrance requirements vary by college, so check each official notice.

What is the difference between an audiologist and an ENT doctor?

An ENT doctor is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats ear, nose and throat conditions, including medical and surgical treatment. An audiologist is trained in testing hearing and balance, fitting hearing aids and supporting rehabilitation. Audiologists work with ENT doctors, and the two roles complement each other in patient care.

Can I become an audiologist with a B.Sc degree?

Some students ask about a B.Sc in a related science as a route into audiology work. Whether it leads to audiology practice depends on the course content, the college and the registration rules that apply to your role. Check with the college and the relevant professional body before you enrol.

What is the Au.D and do I need it in India?

The Au.D is a doctoral audiology programme offered mainly in the United States. It is not the only route into audiology. Indian students who consider it should check eligibility, recognition and what the degree allows them to practise in India, since rules differ between countries.

Is audiology a good career for someone who likes working with people?

Yes, audiology involves regular contact with patients of all ages, especially children and older adults. Much of the work is explaining results, counselling and helping people adjust to hearing aids. Students who enjoy clear communication, patience and steady clinical work often find the career a good fit.

What is the salary of an audiologist in India?

Pay depends on qualification, employer, city and experience. Entry-level roles usually pay less than senior clinical or leadership roles. Current salary figures for each level are being verified and will be added to this page once confirmed.