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Home / Practice Standards & Resources / Collaboration & Team Roles Collaboration & Team RolesA guide to who does what across the team that supports students who are deaf or hard of hearing: educational audiologists, clinical audiologists, teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing, speech-language pathologists, school psychologists, therapists, nurses, and families. Three Resources to Look at FirstPosition Statement EdAuD, TODHH & SLP RolesEAA's official guidance on the roles shared among educational audiologists, teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing, and speech-language pathologists. EAA Infographic Educational Audiology Services in SchoolsA free one-page overview of what educational audiologists do, to share with psychologists, therapists, nurses, administrators, and anyone else new to the role. External · ASHA Interprofessional Education and Practice (IPE/IPP)ASHA's framework, case studies, and tools for collaborative practice across audiology, speech-language pathology, and the wider school team. Key Points at a GlanceDifferent Lenses, Same StudentEach professional brings distinct expertise; none of them sees the whole picture alone. Clinical and Educational Are ComplementaryDiagnostic care and classroom access are different jobs that succeed when they are coordinated. Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Speech-Language Pathologists Are Critical PartnersLanguage access, communication strategies, and instruction are shared work. The Team Is Bigger Than AudiologySchool psychologists, occupational and physical therapists, school nurses, and families each see a part of the student's day that audiologists do not. Bring them in early. Communication Is the GlueShared notes, regular check-ins, and clear handoffs prevent gaps in support. EAA Position Statements and StandardsPosition Statement Shared Roles of EdAuDs and Clinical AudiologistsWhere the educational and clinical audiologist roles overlap, where they differ, and how to coordinate them. Position Statement Shared Roles of EdAuDs, ToDHHs, and SLPsA team-of-three view of hearing access, language access, and communication. EAA Practical Tools & ResourcesInfographic A Team Approach to Hearing Assistive TechnologyThe team roles, processes, and warning signs to watch for with hearing assistive technology in schools. Infographic Educational Audiology Services in SchoolsA one-page overview of what educational audiologists do, to share with administrators, IEP teams, teachers, and families who are new to the role. External ResourcesExternal links are informational and not endorsements. External · ASHA Hearing Loss in Children, Practice PortalASHA's comprehensive resource on screening, assessment, intervention, and team roles. External · Supporting Success Supporting Success for Children with Hearing LossKaren Anderson's repository of practical materials used by educational audiologists, teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing, speech-language pathologists, and educators. External · Supporting Success Role Comparisons: Supporting Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of HearingKaren Anderson's 2017 chart of who leads and who supports each task across audiologists, teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing, SLPs, interpreters, and special educators. PDF. External · ASHA Leader Connecting With Medical Providers to Drive Student OutcomesLaura Parnell, AuD, CCC-A, on bringing physicians and clinical providers into the school team. Written for Educational Audiology Awareness Week (October 2026). External · NASP Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students and Their FamiliesThe National Association of School Psychologists' position statement on the school psychologist's role with students who are deaf or hard of hearing. External · NDC The Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing and Deaf IndividualsHow the national testing standards apply to deaf test takers, for school psychologists planning accessible assessments (2018). PDF. External · Frontiers in Pediatrics Interprofessional Collaboration in the Care of Children with Multiple DisabilitiesA 2026 survey of rehabilitation clinicians in Saudi Arabia that found audiology the least-integrated service on the team, and the role other professions knew least about. External · JAMA Network Open Vestibular Impairment and Postural Development in Children With Bilateral Profound Hearing LossA 2024 study of 592 children linking vestibular impairment to delayed posture and motor development, and a reason to bring physical therapists onto the team. External · ASHA Leader Maintaining the Balance: Vestibular Help for Children With Hearing LossHow vestibular physical therapy supports children with hearing loss and cochlear implants (2018). External · U of the Pacific Amplifying Success: OT-Based Support for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children in SchoolsA Doctor of Occupational Therapy capstone (Atizado, 2024) on how occupational therapists can support students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Free PDF. Stronger Together Aligned teams produce better outcomes for students.When educational audiologists, clinical audiologists, teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing, speech-language pathologists, and school staff understand each other's roles, students receive coordinated, comprehensive support. Members-Only Discussion In the EAA CommunityMembers use the EAA listserv to talk through team questions like these:
Related TopicsAdvocacy & Program Justification ›Making the case for educational audiology with administrators and school teams. IEPs, 504s & School Law ›The legal context that frames team decisions. Student & Family Support ›The human side of the work, counseling, captioning, and partnership with families. Service Delivery Models ›How team setup varies across on-site, remote, hybrid, and contracted models. Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do clinical and educational audiologists coordinate?They coordinate, with permission, by sharing relevant clinical findings and classroom observations. The clinical audiologist is responsible for diagnostic care, and the educational audiologist for school-based access. What's the speech-language pathologist's role for students who are deaf or hard of hearing?Speech-language pathologists work on language, articulation, and communication strategies. Coordinating with the educational audiologist ensures the listening environment matches the speech-language plan. When should a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing be involved?A teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing should be involved for any student whose hearing difference significantly affects language and academics. These teachers provide direct instruction and consultation on access methods. Who else belongs on the team?School psychologists plan assessments that are accessible in the student's language and communication mode, and they support social-emotional well-being. Occupational and physical therapists address fine motor, sensory, and balance needs; balance differences are more common in children with significant hearing loss. School nurses often run hearing screenings and are frequently the first to notice a concern. Families know the student best and are partners in every decision. Why is audiology often left out of team decisions?Many team members have never worked alongside an educational audiologist. A 2026 survey of rehabilitation clinicians in Saudi Arabia found audiology the least-integrated service on the team and the role other professions knew least about. That gap matters, because therapy and instruction that depend on listening lose ground when hearing access goes unaddressed. Introducing your role early and bringing findings to team meetings helps close it. How can I improve team communication?Standing meeting times, shared documentation systems, and a single point person for student updates reduce gaps and duplication. Have a resource to suggest?Help keep this page current. EAA members are welcome to suggest resources to add. Keep ExploringBy Topic
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