Abstract
Purpose: Audiology services in Saudi Arabia are expanding; however, workforce shortages, limited postgraduate training programs, and variability in specialized services may affect equitable access to care. This study aimed to examine the current status of audiology services in Saudi Arabia and identify future needs related to service availability, workforce capacity, and specialized clinical provision to support the development of equitable, standardized, and high-quality audiological care nationwide. Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted among practicing audiologists across healthcare facilities in Saudi Arabia. Because a comprehensive national registry of audiology clinics is unavailable, a purposive convenience sampling strategy was used to recruit participants from diverse facility types and regions. A modified version of a previously validated questionnaire was distributed electronically through professional networks over eight months. Descriptive statistics summarized workforce characteristics and the availability of audiological services across clinics. Results: Forty-two audiology clinics were included in the final analysis. The workforce was predominantly female and relatively young, with most clinicians holding bachelor-level qualifications. Core diagnostic services such as behavioral audiometry and immittance testing were widely available, while specialized services, including vestibular assessment, auditory processing disorder diagnostics, and tinnitus management, were less consistently offered. Audiology facilities were geographically concentrated in major urban centers, particularly Riyadh. Tele-audiology and mobile service delivery models were reported in a minority of clinics. Conclusions: The findings provide a preliminary national overview of audiology service provision and highlight gaps in workforce distribution, specialized service availability, and postgraduate training capacity. Establishing a national registry, expanding training programs, and promoting tele-audiology may support equitable access to hearing healthcare across Saudi Arabia.
Acknowledgements
We thank all participants for their time and input.
Recommended Citation
Alanazi AA, Alhathal AN. Current Status and Future Needs of Audiology Services in Saudi Arabia: An Exploratory Study. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2026 Sep 01;24(3), Article 12.
