2023 NHCA Annual Conference

Co-Authors: Blank, Amy, and Schulz, Theresa

Audiologists and other hearing conservationists are largely unaware of the opportunities to pursue a career in the Uniformed Services: Army, Air Force, Navy, and the Public Health Service (PHS). The Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Space Force and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration do not have billets dedicated to audiologists. Audiologists serve in their traditional roles, seeing patients in clinical and hearing conservation settings, addressing hearing protection and communication needs, diagnosing hearing problems an providing non-surgical treatments. However, non-traditional roles are available as well. Within the Army, Air Force, Navy and PHS, different research laboratories have the responsibility to develop new technologies that protect hearing, improve situational awareness and facilitate communication in challenging acoustic environments. Research conducted by these laboratories affect not only the uniformed personnel in the military, but also translate the research from the laboratory environment to the practice for millions of workers worldwide. This workshop will provide an overview of the aforementioned services and will host a panel discussion where attendees can learn about unique features of the various services.