The society has an active awards program to recognize contributions of it's members to the field of audio engineering and to the society itself. United AES members can avail themselves of Life, Disability Income, Excess Major Medical and Medicare Supplemental Insurance programs at very attractive rates. The programs are available to all AES membership grades on an optional basis. A member may be anyone active in audio engineering or acoustics, who has an academic degree or the equivalent in scientific or professional experince in audio engineering, and it's allied arts, and is familiar with the application of engineering principles and data in that field. An Associate member may be anyone who has an interest in audio engineering and in the society objectives, but who does not yet have the degree or the equivalent in professional experience required of a member.
Associate membership includes all the privileges except voting, holding office, or chairmanships.
A Student member may be anyone interested in audio who is enrolled in a recognized school, college or university. As with Associate Members, Student Members may not vote or serve on committees, except in a local chapter. Sustaining Membership is available to organization in communications, manufacturing, research, and allied areas of the audio and acoustic fields. Sustaining Members help to support the society through contributions and receive recognition in the Journal and at all AES technical meetings.