Program Overview
The University of Cincinnati's Animal Audiology certificate program, the first of its kind, trains students in diagnosing and treating hearing problems in animals, including pets, working dogs, and military working dogs. Taught by experts in human and animal audiology, the program combines theoretical and practical components, providing hands-on experience at UC's dedicated animal audiology lab, FETCH-LAB. Graduates pursue careers in veterinary clinics, animal rehabilitation centers, research, and private practice.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The University of Cincinnati (UC) offers a unique Animal Audiology certificate program, the only one of its kind in the nation. This program is designed for both Audiology students and working audiologists. The program addresses the growing need for professionals specializing in animal hearing. With 80 dog breeds experiencing genetically related deafness and many more experiencing hearing loss due to age and noise exposure, the demand for animal audiologists is increasing. The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to diagnose and treat hearing problems in animals, including pets, working dogs, and military working dogs.
Teaching:
The program is taught at UC's FETCH-LAB, the only university lab in the nation dedicated to animal audiology. Students will learn from experienced faculty in the Communication Sciences and Disorders department, who are experts in both human and animal audiology. The program includes both theoretical and practical components, with students gaining hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating animal hearing problems.
Careers:
Graduates of the Animal Audiology certificate program can pursue a variety of career paths, including:
- Working in veterinary clinics
- Animal rehabilitation centers
- Research institutions focused on animal communication
- Owners are increasingly requesting hearing tests for older dogs, as recommended by their veterinarians.
- Some veterinary neurologists can perform BAER tests, but they lack the specialized training in advanced diagnostic audiology tests that audiologists possess.
- The program is open to both AuD and PhD students in Communication Sciences and Disorders, as well as practicing audiologists.
- Students will have both an audiology and veterinary advisor.
