Power

You have a certain amount of power when you're an audiologist. You work with all these cool instruments that take a good deal of training to master, and you're the one: The one doc who folks have come to in their time of need (and possibly fear) to hopefully get solid treatment from youtreatment that works and treatment that will change their lives for the good.

The great thing about audiologyas opposed to other medical professions, such as, say, an oncologist or a psychologist or therapist who has to tell a parent that their kid has autism or schizophreniais that your normal daily experiences will consist of making people's hearing or balance better.

Of course, you may have to impart bad news occasionally. Someday, you may have to tell a parent—gently—that their baby is, yes, profoundly deaf but is not—at this time—a candidate for what everyone had been telling them would fix it: A cochlear implant. That'll be the day you're glad you have tissues in your office.

But mostly, you'll be able to wield your (earned) power to help people hear again, hear better, and regain their balance.