Audiologist

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) 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.