Why I Want To Become An Audiologist

When I am asked why I want to become an Audiologist, I tell people that my personal experience has motivated me. Although this is the case for most students who choose to study Communication Sciences and Disorders, I believe that my story is a little unique. At sixteen years old, I was diagnosed with a bilateral moderate hearing loss and was instructed by my Audiologist to wear hearing aids in both ears--especially at school. This was an extreme shock to me as I had lived my life thus far without struggling due to any hearing issues. After a couple of days later, I decided that it was in my best interest to gain a second opinion of my diagnosis through the University of South Florida Audiology Clinic. Ultimately, my second hearing screening yielded the same results as the first one. However, the method of delivery that I received from Dr. Michelle Arnold at the USF clinic was far more
In light of my situation, I decided to study Communication Sciences and Disorders at Florida State University with an interest in Audiology. I want to become an Audiologist that not only counsels those on hearing loss, but one that promotes the proper safety, treatment, and protection of the hearing system. Furthermore, my experience will allow me to deliver the news of a hearing diagnosis in a passionate and informed way to the patient and/or their parents. I want to attend the University of South Florida Doctorate of Audiology program as a result of the positive experience I had as a patient of the clinic. Additionally, I am very interested in Cochlear Implants and wish to pursue research in this area. During my time in my Directed Individual Study at FSU, I have gained an increased interest in Cochlear Implants and have been