Audiologist
Audiologists work with children and adults to prevent, assess, diagnose and provide treatment and counselling for hearing and balance disorders.
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Avg. Salary $83,390.00
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Avg. Wage $55.50
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Minimum Education 6 years post-secondary
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Outlook N/A
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Employed 2,300
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In Demand High
Also Known As
Hearing Professional
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
55%
55%
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
Average Wage
| Starting | $46.18 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $55.50 |
| Top | $59.31 |
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Certification Provincially Regulated
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
NOC & Interest Codes
The Audiologist is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Audiologists
NOC code: 3141.1
- 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 Oct 12, 2016
Audiologists may work with a particular age group (for example, infants, preschoolers, the elderly) or work with people of all ages. In general, they:
- use specialized instruments and electronic equipment to test and measure hearing abilities and balance disorders
- determine the degree, type and location of hearing or balance problems
- recommend, select, fit or teach clients how to use appropriate assistive listening devices (for example, hearing aids, cochlear implants, telephone adaptors, visual alarms)
- plan and implement management programs (for example, auditory training, instruction in speech reading, treatment for tinnitus)
- help parents and others (for example, teachers, employers) facilitate communication for people who have hearing impairments
- maintain client records
- assess and mange central auditory processing disorders
- consult with and advise other health professionals.
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:
- develop and supervise hearing screening programs
- plan and implement hearing conservation programs
- work with clients who have problems with balance or tinnitus
- educate and supervise students, professionals and support personnel in a variety of work settings
- participate in research related to hearing and balance
- work in the hearing aid manufacturing and sales industries
- teach in universities and colleges.
Working Conditions
Updated Oct 12, 2016
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.
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Oct 12, 2016
Audiologists need the following characteristics:
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- the intellect and perseverance required to complete the training
- sensitivity to client needs
- the ability to concentrate and pay close attention to details
- an appreciation for precision instrumentation
- the ability to work in a team environment.
They should enjoy working with people, exploring problems in depth and operating equipment.
Educational Requirements
Updated Oct 12, 2016
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:
- University of Western Ontario in London
- University of British Columbia in Vancouver
- Dalhousie University in Halifax
- University of Montreal (instruction in French)
- University of Ottawa (instruction in French).
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.
Required Education
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
University of Alberta
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 Oct 12, 2016
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.
Education
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 find more information on the certification process for internationally educated audiologists, see Audiologist Registration Process on the AlbertaCanada.com website.
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 Oct 12, 2016
Most audiologists are employed as clinicians by:
- private practice offices
- hospitals
- schools
- community health centres
- rehabilitation centres.
Some are employed as:
- researchers in hospitals, universities and government agencies (a doctorate usually is required)
- administrators of speech and hearing programs
- sales representatives for hearing aid companies (for more information, see the Technical Sales Representative occupational profile).
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:
- trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry)
- location in Alberta
- employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
- occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
- 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 Oct 12, 2016
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 | $31.19 | $115.00 | $46.18 | $40.26 |
| Overall | $36.54 | $125.00 | $55.50 | $49.46 |
| Top | $41.58 | $125.00 | $59.31 | $53.50 |
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.
B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Industry Information
| Educational Services | $90,639.00 |
|---|---|
| ALBERTA, ALL INDUSTRIES | $83,390.00 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $82,658.00 |
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
55%
55%
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
12%
12%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
7%
7%
2015 Vacancy Rate
2%
Related High School Subjects
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English Language Arts
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Science
- Biology
- Physics
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Health, Recreation and Human Services
- Health Care Services
- Human and Social Services
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
- Health Care and Medical Sciences
- Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Oct 12, 2016
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.
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