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Audiologist

Audiologists work with people to prevent, assess, and diagnose hearing and balance problems. They also provide treatment and counselling.

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

  • 3141.1: Audiologists

2006 NOC-S

  • D041: Audiologists and SpeechLanguage Pathologists

2011 NOC

  • 3141: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists

2016 NOC

  • 3141: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists

2021 NOC

  • 31112: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists

2023 OaSIS

  • 31112.01: Audiologists
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
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

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.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Audiologists

2006 NOC: 3141.1

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
OBJECTIVE

Interest in operating equipment to administer audiometric tests and examinations to diagnose and evaluate the degree and type of patients' hearing impairment

INNOVATIVE

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

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

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

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 for this NOC group 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.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
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.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Audiologists and speech-language pathologists

2016 NOC: 3141

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 29 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Mar 10, 2022 and Apr 22, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Health benefits: Health care plan
Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills
Construction Specialization: Team player
Security and Safety: Criminal record check
Health benefits: Dental plan
Construction Specialization: Values and ethics
Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication
Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication
Construction Specialization: Dependability
Construction Specialization: Flexibility
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2018
  • Minimum Education 6 years post-secondary

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.

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2018
  • Certification Provincially Regulated

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

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.

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Audiologist.

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.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 3141: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists occupational group, 96.7% of people work in:

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 3141: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.4% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
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.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Audiologists and speech-language pathologists

2016 NOC: 3141
Average Wage
$52.47
Per Hour
Average Salary
$85,629.00
Per Year
Average Hours
31.8
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.9
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 3141 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

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.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

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.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $36.74 $50.18 $42.68 $41.58
Overall $42.10 $59.07 $52.47 $53.35
Top $50.00 $66.63 $56.39 $55.25

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.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Educational Services
Health Care & Social Assistance

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
56%
56%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
18%
18%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
4%
4%
Vacancy Rate
1%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Health Care and Medical Sciences
  • Sciences
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

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

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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