'audiologist' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'audire', where 'aud-' meant 'to hear', combined with Greek 'logia' via Latin/modern suffix '-logist' meaning 'one who studies' or 'specialist'.

'audiologist' developed from the modern formation 'audiology' (coined in the early 20th century from Latin 'audire' + Greek 'logia') plus the agent suffix '-ist', producing 'audiologist' meaning a practitioner in audiology.

Initially it meant 'one who studies hearing', but over time it evolved to mean 'a healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats hearing and balance disorders'.