Delivery of services to cochlear implant patients requires a specialized set of knowledge and skills. In recognition of this skill set, the American Board of Audiology has created a specialty certification program in Cochlear Implants (CI). This program is the result of meetings held between the ABA Board, audiologists currently working with cochlear implants, and representatives from three implant manufacturers: Advanced Bionics, Cochlear Americas and MED-EL.
In establishing this program, the American Board of Audiology (ABA) conducted a job analysis survey for cochlear implant specialists as part of the Board's continuing effort to offer audiologists specialty certification in this practice setting.
The idea for developing specialty certification arose within the ABA early in 2000 as a method of elevating the status of certification and identifying individuals in areas of specialty practice. Some of the reasons that certification may be valuable to you include:
- Standardizes training and knowledge of CI audiologists; specialty certification identifies the knowledge required to promote better patient outcomes.
- Verifies professional experience to employers and helps identify individuals who are qualified to fulfill a job description related to the cochlear implant population.
- Provides consumers a method of identifying audiologists with expertise in cochlear implants and increases confidence in consumer's view of the audiologist's level of expertise.
- Describes a training plan for individuals interested in specializing in cochlear implants.
- Helps individual audiologists identify themselves as experts; increases professional self-esteem.
- Assists the profession in defining our scope of practice.
- Increases the possibility of an heightened standard of living through appropriate salaries, provides a basis of career advancement, and maintains an adequate number of audiologists working with cochlear implants.
You may download the application here. To date, approximately 60 audiologists all over North America have earned the credential. Please note that you must hold ABA Board Certification or be eligible and apply for the same at the time of filing your CI specialty application.
Any audiologist interested in specialty certification in cochlear implant certification or Board Certification in Audiology should contact the the ABA toll-free at 800-881-5410 or at aba@audiology.org.