Audiologist
Audiologists work with children and adults to prevent, assess, diagnose and provide treatment and counselling for hearing and balance disorders.
Hearing Professional
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:
Starting | $43.37 |
---|---|
Overall | $50.19 |
Top | $58.24 |
Interest in operating equipment to administer audiometric tests and examinations to diagnose and evaluate the degree and type of patients' hearing impairment
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
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
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.
Audiologists may work with a particular age group (for example, infants, preschoolers, the elderly) or work with people of all ages. In general, they:
Audiologists sometimes work in teams with speech-language pathologists, hearing aid practitioners, otolaryngologists, physicians, psychologists, social workers, nurses, teachers, occupational therapists or physical therapists. For example, teams may be involved in the assessment and rehabilitation of hearing abilities through the prescription of hearing aids, speech reading instruction or teaching strategies. Or they may be involved in studying and improving measures for hearing conservation in work, school and leisure settings.
Some audiologists:
Audiologists generally work standard weekday office hours. They may work with individual clients or groups of clients in private practice clinics, community health centres, rehabilitation centres, hospitals or schools. Those in the hearing aid manufacturing and sales industries work primarily with other audiologists and engineers.
Audiologists need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy working with people, exploring problems in depth and operating equipment.
In Canada, the minimum education requirement for audiologists is a master's degree in audiology. Admission to master's degree programs generally requires an acceptable average in a four year bachelor's degree program with specified courses. Some audiologists choose to obtain their doctorate in audiology or AuD from programs in the United States.
In Canada, the following post-secondary institutions offer related master's degree programs:
An internship in a hospital, private hearing clinic, rehabilitation centre or health care facility is required before graduation.
Universities and colleges throughout Alberta offer bachelor's degree programs that can provide suitable preparation for a master's degree program in audiology. Admission requirements for bachelor's degree programs vary from one post-secondary institution and program to another but generally include a competitive average in English Language Arts 30-1, Biology 30 and three other appropriate 30 level subjects. Before enrolling in a program, prospective students should consult the institutions offering master's degree programs regarding course requirements.
For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 find more information on the certification process for internationally educated audiologists, see Audiologist Registration Process on the AlbertaCanada.com website.
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
Most audiologists are employed as clinicians by:
Some are employed as:
Some audiologists own and operate their own private practice office.
Private practice fees are not covered by Alberta Health Care Insurance but many private insurance plans and other sources of government funding cover specific services and products.
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 industry.
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
---|---|---|---|---|
Starting | $23.39 | $50.00 | $43.37 | $45.08 |
Overall | $29.13 | $55.02 | $50.19 | $52.37 |
Top | $48.28 | $66.30 | $58.24 | $59.66 |
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* 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.
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.
Health Care & Social Assistance | $105,798 |
---|---|
ALL INDUSTRIES | $100,381 |
Educational Services | $77,830 |
Canadian Academy of Audiology website: www.canadianaudiology.ca
Speech-Language & Audiology Canada website: www.sac-oac.ca
Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (ACSLPA) website: www.acslpa.ab.ca
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca
National Centre for Audiology website: www.uwo.ca/nca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Mar 14, 2014. 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.