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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 | $42.23 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $52.37 |
| Top | $60.15 |
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 specific age group (such as infants, preschoolers, or seniors), or with people of all ages. In general, they:
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:
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:
They should enjoy:
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.
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 learn about certification for internationally educated audiologist, see Audiologist Registration Process.
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 work at:
Some are employed as:
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:
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 39 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.
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 | $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.
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 | $83,215 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $82,941 |
| Educational Services | $82,065 |
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.