Vision, Speech, Hearing & Diet – Healthcare Workforce Partnership

Vision, Speech, Hearing & Diet Careers

Professionals in Vision, Speech, Hearing & Diet careers help people live healthier, more connected lives. They improve how patients see, hear, speak, and eat — making a big impact on everyday wellness. Whether working in hospitals, schools, or community settings, these specialists combine science and compassion to support patients of all ages.

Career Spotlight: What Kind of Jobs Are in This Area?

👓 Optician

Helps fit eyeglasses and contact lenses based on prescriptions.
Works with customers to choose frames and adjust lenses for comfort and vision.

🗣 Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)

Assesses and treats people with speech, language, or swallowing difficulties.
Helps children with speech delays and adults recovering from strokes or injuries.

🎧 Audiologist

Diagnoses hearing and balance issues.
Fits hearing aids and teaches people how to manage hearing loss.

🧏 Hearing Aid Specialist

Tests basic hearing and fits patients with hearing devices.
Works closely with audiologists and ENT clinics.

🥗 Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Educates patients about healthy eating and nutrition.
Develops food plans for people with conditions like diabetes or heart disease.

🍽 Dietetic Technician

Assists dietitians in planning menus and monitoring nutritional programs.
Supports patients in hospitals, long-term care, or wellness programs.

🧠 Who Might Enjoy This Work?

✅ You like working with people and helping them improve their lives.
✅ You’re curious about how the body works, especially when it comes to communication, hearing, vision, or food.
✅ You’re patient, a good listener, and enjoy solving real-life problems.
✅ You’re interested in science and health but prefer one-on-one interaction over a traditional hospital role.

🏥 Where Do These Professionals Work?

Hospitals and Clinics
Eye and Hearing Centers
Schools and Early Intervention Programs
Public Health Departments
Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation Centers
Community Wellness Programs and Private Practice

🌟 Why Are These Careers Important?

Health isn’t just about treating illness — it’s about helping people communicate, connect, and take care of themselves every day. These professionals play a vital role in ensuring people can see clearly, speak confidently, hear loved ones, and make food choices that support long-term wellness. They often build strong relationships with patients and families, improving lives in deep and lasting ways.

📚 How to Get Started

Interested in pursuing one of these careers? Look into programs at local community colleges, universities, and training centers. Many of these roles offer clear pathways from certificate to advanced degrees, so you can grow your career over time.

What is it like to work in a Vision, Speech/Hearing, and Diet career?

Working in one of these careers means working very closely with patients and their families. These professionals also often need to collaborate with other care providers, so excellent communication and team work skills are key to building a successful career in this cluster.

Many careers in this cluster involve working directly with patients in diverse communities, cultural competency is also extremely important. “Cultural competency” means that one can work effectively with people of different cultures. Understanding the way different cultures view health care as part of their daily lives and learning to work with these views allows for much more effective delivery of care.

Local Vision, Speech, Hearing & Diet Careers by Education and Training Level

Updated: May 19, 2025