Educational Audiologists

Educational audiologists are Special Service Providers (SSPs) hired or contracted by school districts throughout Colorado. They provide comprehensive support and management to children and youth with hearing and/or auditory challenges, birth through high school graduation. School-based audiologists have the same training and education as clinical providers, however in Colorado, educational audiologists must be licensed by the Colorado Department of Education. Educational audiologists, as SSPs, are also expected to meet professional growth and evaluation requirements set forth by Senate Bill 10-191 and through guidance from the State Council on Educator Effectiveness (SCEE).

Educational audiologist responsibilities include support and/or management of early childhood and school-aged hearing screening programs; assessment and management of hearing and auditory processing; comprehensive hearing assistive technology services; support services, training, and education to teachers, students, families and school staff; auditory intervention services; and management of hearing conservation programs. Educational audiologists are vital members of the education team and are the professionals uniquely qualified to ensure that all students have adequate access to auditory information in the learning environment.

Licensing & Education Effectiveness Requirements

• Educator Licensing Office
• General Requirements for Licenses & Authorizations
• Audiologist Endorsement Requirements
• Colorado Audiologist Licensing Regulations (PDF)
• Apply for a New or Renewed License
• Educator Effectiveness (Senate Bill 10-191): Special Services Providers (SSP) -  State Model Evaluation System
• State Model Evaluation Audiology Rubric (SSP)
• SSP Training Resources

Guidance and Resources Related to Educational Audiology Practice

The Colorado Rules for the Administration of the Exceptional Children’s Educational Act (ECEA) defines the criteria for identifying a student with a hearing disability. Educational audiologists are a vital part of the team to make this determination. In addition, educational audiologists are key members of a multidisciplinary team to assess and manage auditory processing deficits.

• Auditory Process Deficits: A Team Approach to Screening, Assessment & Intervention Practices (CDE 2012) (PDF)
• Guidelines for Childhood and Youth Hearing Screening Programs (CDE 2017) (PDF)
• Screening Guidance During Remote Learning (CDE 2020) (PDF)
• Guidelines for Audiology Service Provision in and for Schools (ASHA Practice Portal 2002)
• Colorado Newborn Hearing Screening (CDPHE website)
• Colorado Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (COEHDI website)
• Colorado Early Childhood Hearing Resources (COEHDI website)
• Child Find (CDE website)
• School Nursing and Health (CDE website)

More Information

For more information about educational audiology services, please contact:

Lisa Cannon, Educational Audiologist, Denver Public School
Audiology Coordinator, CDE
Phone: 720-423-9794
Email Lisa Cannon

For more information about services for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, please contact:

Shauna Moden, Deaf Education Specialist
Phone: (303) 866-6707
Email Shauna Moden