Audiologist
Audiologists work with people to prevent, assess, and diagnose hearing and balance problems. They also provide treatment and counselling.
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Avg. Salary $82,941.00
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Avg. Wage $52.37
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Minimum Education 6 years post-secondary
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Outlook N/A
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Employed < 1500
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In Demand Medium
Also Known As
Hearing Professional
NOC Codes
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
- 2006 NOC: Audiologists (3141.1)
- 2006 NOC-S: Audiologists and SpeechLanguage Pathologists (D041)
- 2011 NOC: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists (3141)
- 2016 NOC: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists (3141)
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
85%
85%
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
Average Wage
| Starting | $42.23 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $52.37 |
| Top | $60.15 |
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Certification Provincially Regulated
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Interest Codes
The Audiologist is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Audiologists
- OBJECTIVE
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Interest in operating equipment to administer audiometric tests and examinations to diagnose and evaluate the degree and type of patients' hearing impairment
- INNOVATIVE
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Interest in co-ordinating research programs and conducting research related to hearing; and in establishing personalized care plans working as a member of an inter-disciplinary team
- SOCIAL
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Interest in mentoring patients by planning and implementing habilitation/rehabilitation programs including selection and adjustment of hearing aid devices, teaching speech (lip) reading and providing counselling
Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2018
Audiologists may work with a specific age group (such as infants, preschoolers, or seniors), or with people of all ages. In general, they:
- test and measure hearing and balance (using special tools and technologies)
- assess the degree, type, and location of hearing or balance problems
- recommend, select, and fit assistive listening devices (such as hearing aids, auditory training systems, cochlear implants, telephone adaptors, or visual alerting systems and alarms)
- teach clients how to use these devices
- plan and provide custom programs (such as auditory training, speech reading, or treating tinnitus)
- help parents and others (such as teachers and employers) learn how to speak to and understand people with hearing loss
- keep and manage client records
- assess and manage central auditory processing disorders
- consult with and advise other health providers.
Audiologists sometimes work in teams (with pathologists, hearing aid practitioners, otolaryngologists, physicians, psychologists, social workers, nurses, teachers, occupational therapists, or physical therapists). These teams may focus on assessing and addressing hearing loss by prescribing hearing aids or teaching speech reading. They may research ways to prevent hearing loss in work, school, and leisure settings.
Some audiologists:
- develop and supervise hearing screening programs
- plan and provide programs to protect and conserve hearing
- work with clients who have balance problems
- train and supervise students, professionals, and support staff
- do research in hearing and balance
- work for companies that make and sell hearing aids
- teach in universities and colleges.
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2018
Most audiologists work regular weekday office hours. They may work with individuals or groups in private clinics, community health centres, rehab centres, hospitals, or schools. Those in the hearing aid industry work mainly with other audiologists and engineers.
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Mar 31, 2018
Audiologists need to possess:
- speaking and listening skills
- people skills
- empathy and sensitivity
- the ability to solve difficult problems
- the ability to focus and pay attention to details
- the ability to work on teams.
They should enjoy:
- working with people
- doing research
- solving problems
- operating equipment.
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2018
An audiologist needs at least a master’s degree. Universities and colleges in Alberta offer 4-year bachelor’s degree programs. These programs prepare students for a masters’ degree in audiology. Several universities in Canada offer related master’s degree programs, but there are none in Alberta.
Some audiologists get a doctorate in audiology from a school in the United States.
Audiologists must complete a clinical internship before graduation.
Related Education
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2018
Audiologist
Audiologists assess auditory and vestibular function, diagnose, rehabilitate, prevent and provide appropriate devices and treatment for auditory and vestibular dysfunction, and teach, manage and conduct research in the science and practice of audiology.
Legislation
Under Alberta's Health Professions Act and Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Profession Regulation, registration with the Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (ACSLPA) is mandatory if you meet identified competency requirements and provide professional services directly to the public, teach the practice of the profession to members or students of the profession, or supervise registered members who provide services to the public. Registered members, who are authorized by the College, provide restricted activities specified in the Regulation. Only registered members of ACSLPA may use the protected professional titles and designations of Audiologist, AuD and R.Aud in Alberta.
What You Need
Registration requires successful completion of: (1) a minimum of a master's degree from an approved audiology program, and (2) recent education or current qualifications in the profession. Applicants who have been out of practice for a period of time also may have to demonstrate that they are currently competent to practice. Successful completion of an approved examination may be required. For official, detailed information about registration requirements, visit the ACSLPA website or contact the ACSLPA.
Working in Alberta
Audiologists who are registered and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if registered audiologists in the two jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see "What if I am already certified in another province or territory?" and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).
To learn about certification for internationally educated audiologist, see Audiologist Registration Process.
Contact Details
Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
209, 3132 Parsons Road
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6N 1L6
Phone number: 780-944-1609
Toll-free phone number (within Alberta): 1-800-537-0589
Fax number: 780-408-3925
Website: www.acslpa.ab.ca
Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2018
Most audiologists work at:
- private clinics
- rehab centres
- hospitals
- community health centres
- school boards.
Some are employed as:
- researchers (at hospitals, universities, and government agencies)
- speech and hearing program administrators
- sales reps for hearing aid companies (to learn more, see the Technical Sales Representative occupational profile).
A doctorate is usually needed to work as a researcher. Some audiologists have their own private clinics.
Audiologists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 3141: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists. In Alberta, 78% of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
- trends and events that affect overall employment (especially in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry)
- location in Alberta
- employment turnover (work opportunities that come up when people leave existing positions)
- occupational growth (work opportunities that come up when new positions are created)
- size of the occupation.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2018
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
Hourly Wage
For full-time and part-time employees
- Low
- High
- Average
- Median
Starting
Overall
Top
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $31.26 | $53.50 | $42.23 | $41.58 |
| Overall | $45.26 | $64.15 | $52.37 | $52.29 |
| Top | $55.25 | $76.09 | $60.15 | $59.66 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Industry Information
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $83,215 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $82,941 |
| Educational Services | $82,065 |
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
85%
85%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
86%
86%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
42%
42%
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2018
Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (ACSLPA) website: acslpa.ab.ca
Canadian Academy of Audiology website: canadianaudiology.ca
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca
Speech-Language & Audiology Canada website: www.sac-oac.ca
Western National Centre for Audiology website: www.uwo.ca/nca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Mar 31, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
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