Share and intensity of work current AI systems can materially affect.
SOC 29-1181
Audiologists AI displacement risk
Over-the-counter hearing aids and app-based hearing tests compress the retail dispensing layer of audiology. Diagnostic evaluation, cochlear implant programming, balance disorders, and pediatric fitting keep clinical audiology specialized.
Likely potential for exposed tasks to move to software after workflow integration.
The disruption is real but targeted: OTC devices serve mild adult hearing loss, while diagnostic audiology — finding out why hearing or balance is failing — remains a doctoral clinical service. Diversifying into implants and vestibular work is the protective move.
Distribution
Where Audiologists sits across 620 tracked roles
Displacement pressure 22 — higher than 29% of the 620 occupations tracked on displacement.ai.
Score version
This page uses Seed model v0.4 (seed-v0.4-2026-05), last reviewed 2026-08-08. Directional occupation-level planning model using hand-reviewed public research, task exposure estimates, wage context, and transition-pathway assumptions.
22 O*NET task statements matched to SOC 29-1181. The displayed task profile combines these official task statements with the current public score model.
Median wage context: $95,780 (May 2025, US national). The latest BLS row matched SOC 29-1181.
Scores are planning signals, not forecasts. Local hiring demand, employer-specific workflows, licensing, and credentials must be validated before making career decisions.
2030 economic stress test
How Anthropic's scenarios classify Audiologists
SOC 29-1181 places this role in the paper's cognitive occupation group. These group-level outcomes do not change the 22/100 role score and are not an occupation forecast.
+0.4% group wage
-0.5% cognitive employment since mid-2026; 2.9% cognitive unemployment.
Economy-wide: +1.6% GDP and 3.9% unemployment.
-0.3% group wage
-3.9% cognitive employment since mid-2026; 4.5% cognitive unemployment.
Economy-wide: +8.3% GDP and 4.6% unemployment.
-11.5% group wage
-21.5% cognitive employment since mid-2026; 17.9% cognitive unemployment.
Economy-wide: +32.4% GDP and 11.9% unemployment.
Compare the assumptions and limitations across all three scenarios. Source: The Anthropic Institute Working Paper No. 2026-02.
Official task evidence
O*NET task matches for Audiologists
The current evidence import matched 22 task statements from Task Statements 31.0 (August 2026). These rows are used as a grounding layer for judging which parts of the occupation are repeatable, language-heavy, analytical, social, physical, or compliance-sensitive.
Dataset31.0 (August 2026)
Matched tasks22
SOC29-1181
- Core task / ID 18690
Maintain patient records at all stages, including initial and subsequent evaluation and treatment activities.
- Core task / ID 18673
Evaluate hearing and balance disorders to determine diagnoses and courses of treatment.
- Core task / ID 18681
Fit, dispense, and repair assistive devices, such as hearing aids.
- Core task / ID 18678
Administer hearing tests and examine patients to collect information on type and degree of impairment, using specialized instruments and electronic equipment.
- Core task / ID 18686
Monitor patients' progress and provide ongoing observation of hearing or balance status.
- Core task / ID 18684
Instruct patients, parents, teachers, or employers in communication strategies to maximize effective receptive communication.
Source: O*NET Resource Center, Task Statements. Raw import target: data/raw/onet/task-statements-31-0.txt.
Task profile
Where AI changes the work
Administer hearing and balance tests
Exposure 34, automation 15%, augmentation 56%.
O*NET evidence: Administer hearing tests and examine patients to collect information on type and degree... (ID 18678)
Evaluate disorders and diagnose
Exposure 36, automation 15%, augmentation 58%.
O*NET evidence: Evaluate hearing and balance disorders to determine diagnoses and courses of treatment. (ID 18673)
Fit and program assistive devices
Exposure 40, automation 20%, augmentation 58%.
O*NET evidence: Fit, dispense, and repair assistive devices, such as hearing aids. (ID 18681)
Counsel patients and families
Exposure 24, automation 7%, augmentation 44%.
O*NET evidence: Counsel and instruct patients and their families in techniques to improve hearing and c... (ID 18672)
TaskExposureAutomationAugmentation
Administer hearing and balance tests3415%56%
Evaluate disorders and diagnose3615%58%
Fit and program assistive devices4020%58%
Counsel patients and families247%44%
Transition pathways
Adjacent moves that preserve existing skills
credentialed transition
LowCochlear Implant Specialist
Training horizon: 6-12 months. Skill overlap 68. Wage preservation signal 112.
- Build implant mapping experience
- Join implant center teams
- Master rehabilitation protocols
adjacent role
LowVestibular Specialist
Training horizon: 4-9 months. Skill overlap 62. Wage preservation signal 104.
- Deepen balance assessment skills
- Learn vestibular rehabilitation
- Partner with neurology clinics
Comparison guides
Compare the next move before you commit
6-12 months
Audiologists to Cochlear Implant Specialist
Compare AI displacement pressure, wage preservation, skill overlap, training time, and first proof project for moving from Audiologists into Cochlear Implant Specialist.
4-9 months
Audiologists to Vestibular Specialist
Compare AI displacement pressure, wage preservation, skill overlap, training time, and first proof project for moving from Audiologists into Vestibular Specialist.
What the AI risk score means for Audiologists
The displacement pressure score for Audiologists is 22. That score blends task exposure, automation pressure, augmentation potential, wage vulnerability, transition feasibility, and source confidence. It is designed to help workers and workforce teams decide where to act first, not to claim a specific date when a job will disappear.
For this role, the clearest risk pattern is visible at the task level. Fit and program assistive devices carries 20% automation pressure, while Evaluate disorders and diagnose carries 58% augmentation potential. That means the best response is usually a targeted redesign of work: move away from repeatable production tasks and toward judgment, exception handling, coordination, stakeholder context, and accountable use of AI tools.
Labor-market context and wage risk
Median wage: $95,780 (May 2025, US national). Employment context: Hearing and balance specialty facing device-market disruption. Typical education: Doctoral degree plus state licensure.
Wage vulnerability is 34, while transition feasibility is 64. A high wage-vulnerability score means workers should pay close attention to salary preservation before making a move. A high transition-feasibility score means there are adjacent paths that can reuse existing skills without requiring a complete career reset.
- Low displacement pressure
- OTC devices compress dispensing
- Diagnostics and implants stay clinical
Upskilling priorities
Skills that make this role more resilient
The safest upskilling plan starts with skills already close to the work. For Audiologists, the strongest near-term skill priorities are listed below. These are useful whether the goal is to stay in the role, move to a redesigned version of the role, or transition into an adjacent occupation.
Diagnostic testing
Build proof of this skill through a work sample, checklist, dashboard, case note, workflow map, or portfolio artifact tied to the transition paths on this page.
Device programming
Build proof of this skill through a work sample, checklist, dashboard, case note, workflow map, or portfolio artifact tied to the transition paths on this page.
Patient counseling
Build proof of this skill through a work sample, checklist, dashboard, case note, workflow map, or portfolio artifact tied to the transition paths on this page.
Rehabilitation planning
Build proof of this skill through a work sample, checklist, dashboard, case note, workflow map, or portfolio artifact tied to the transition paths on this page.
90-day transition plan
The most practical next step is not to wait for a layoff or a full role redesign. Use the next 90 days to create evidence that you can operate in a safer, more AI-augmented version of the work.
- In the first 30 days, document the repetitive tasks in your current work and identify where AI can reduce drafting, lookup, classification, or reporting time.
- By 60 days, complete one small project connected to Cochlear Implant Specialist, such as build implant mapping experience.
- By 90 days, compare internal openings and external postings for Cochlear Implant Specialist or Vestibular Specialist and update your resume around measurable workflow outcomes.
FAQ
Questions about AI and Audiologists
Will AI replace Audiologists?
Over-the-counter hearing aids and app-based hearing tests compress the retail dispensing layer of audiology. Diagnostic evaluation, cochlear implant programming, balance disorders, and pediatric fitting keep clinical audiology specialized. The better planning signal is not full replacement, but which tasks become automated, which tasks become AI-assisted, and which responsibilities still need human judgment.
Which parts of Audiologists work are most exposed to AI?
Fit and program assistive devices and Administer hearing and balance tests show the strongest automation pressure in this model. Evaluate disorders and diagnose and Fit and program assistive devices are better treated as AI-augmented work.
What should Audiologists learn next?
Start with Diagnostic testing, Device programming, Patient counseling. The most practical adjacent paths in this model are Cochlear Implant Specialist and Vestibular Specialist.
How should this score be used?
Use it as a planning signal, not a prediction. Confirm local hiring demand, wages, licensing, credentials, and employer adoption before making a career move.
Sources
Evidence trail
International Labour Organization / 20 May 2025Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational ExposureO*NET Resource Center / Database 31.0 (August 2026)Occupation, Task, Skill, and Work-Activity DataUS Bureau of Labor Statistics / May 2025 estimates (released 15 May 2026)Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics