What does audiology mean?
Audiology is the branch of science and healthcare devoted to hearing and balance. It encompasses both research and clinical practice: audiologists measure hearing acuity, diagnose hearing loss and related disorders such as tinnitus and balance problems, and manage treatment through devices like hearing aids and cochlear implants. The word combines the Latin root 'audio,' meaning 'I hear,' with the Greek-derived suffix '-logy,' denoting a field of study, so it literally means 'the study of hearing.' The profession emerged as a distinct discipline during and after World War II, when large numbers of veterans returned with noise-induced hearing damage and needed systematic assessment and rehabilitation. Today the term appears chiefly in medical and academic settings—hospitals have audiology departments, universities offer degrees in it—and while laypeople rarely use the word casually, it remains the standard term for the entire discipline of hearing care.
nounThe branch of science and healthcare concerned with hearing and balance, including the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing disorders.
- The scientific study of hearing, especially the assessment and measurement of hearing ability.
- The clinical profession and practice concerned with diagnosing and treating hearing and balance disorders, including fitting hearing aids.
"After her hearing test, the audiologist recommended a follow-up appointment at the hospital's audiology department."
"She completed her master's degree in audiology before joining a children's hospital."
"Advances in digital technology have transformed modern audiology, making hearing aids smaller and more precise."
Extremely rare and generally not used; audiology is treated as an uncountable mass noun referring to the field as a whole.
"Comparative studies across national audiology practices remain rare in the literature."
Audiology was born out of war: thousands of soldiers returning from World War II with noise-induced deafness spurred the field into a formal profession.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of audiology
Audiology derives from the Latin verb 'audire,' meaning 'to hear,' combined with the Greek-derived combining form '-logy,' from 'logos,' meaning 'word' or 'study.' The compound follows a pattern common in scientific naming, blending a Latin stem with a Greek suffix. The term arose in the twentieth century as the systematic study and clinical management of hearing developed into a recognized profession, particularly gaining momentum in the United States around World War II. It shares its Latin root with cognates such as 'audible,' 'auditory,' and 'audience.'
Related word forms
How audiology is actually used
Audiology is a formal, technical term used mainly in medical, academic, and professional contexts; in everyday speech people more often say 'hearing test' or refer simply to an 'audiologist.' It is an uncountable noun.
Easily confused with audiology
Otology is the medical specialty focused surgically and clinically on the ear itself, while audiology is the science of measuring and managing hearing and balance function.
An audition is a trial performance to assess suitability for a role, whereas audiology is the study of hearing; both derive from Latin 'audire' but are otherwise unrelated.