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Audiometric Technician: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Are you interested in health care? Do you enjoy working on precise equipment? Do you like the idea of helping people with hearing problems? Then why not test your interest in a career as an audiometric technician?
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Occupations in Alberta
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Audiometric Technician

Audiometric technicians administer tests to measure hearing and provide other support services for audiologists and related health-care professionals.

Contents Expand All
Also Known As

Occupational Hearing Conservationist

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

  • 3235.2: Audiometric Assistants

2006 NOC-S

  • D235: Other Technical Occupations in Therapy and Assessment

2011 NOC

  • 3237: Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment

2016 NOC

  • 3237: Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment

2021 NOC

  • 33109: Other assisting occupations in support of health services

2023 OaSIS

  • 33109.01: Audiometric technicians
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Audiometric technicians work with audiologists, doctors, and occupational health nurses. Their duties and responsibilities vary from one position to another. In general, they:

  • Use industry-approved audiometers to conduct hearing tests for workers
  • Ensure audiometers and related equipment are operational
  • Ensure the testing environment falls within an acceptable decibel range
  • Maintain a logbook that includes calibration records for each audiometer
  • Maintain records of tests
  • Keep test results and related data private

Conducting a hearing test usually involves:

  • Describing how tests work
  • Checking clients’ ears for signs of infection or blockage (or anything that might stop sound waves from reaching the middle ear)
  • Using audiometers to measure hearing levels
  • Recording results and giving a copy to the client
  • Classifying results
  • Discussing results with clients or their caregivers
  • Referring clients to audiologists or doctors

In keeping with the Alberta Occupation Health and Safety Code, audiometric technicians:

  • Find a suitable testing environment
  • Conduct a baseline hearing test for each worker within 6 months of employment
  • Conduct regular follow-up tests to track changes in each worker’s hearing
  • Teach workers about the use, care, and fit of personal hearing protection equipment

They may also:

  • Record data that measures the effectiveness of hearing conservation programs
  • Coordinate schedules for screening programs
  • Make follow-up appointments
  • Do other things to support an employer’s noise management program

In Alberta, a person who selects, fits, and sells hearing aids, and provides counselling and troubleshooting support for hearing aid users, must be a registered hearing aid practitioner or audiologist. Audiometric technicians may assist these people with hearing aid maintenance such as routine cleanings, troubleshooting, fitting, and other tasks that do not require direct patient care.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Audiometric technicians work in clinics, hospitals, schools, and work sites. Many work for service providers. Some technicians travel to work sites to provide mobile testing services.

Some technicians work regular weekday hours. Others work some early morning, evening, or weekend hours.

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.

Audiometric Assistants

2006 NOC: 3235.2

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
METHODICAL

Interest in compiling and recording test results

SOCIAL

Interest in speaking with patients to instruct them in testing and examination procedures

OBJECTIVE

Interest in operating audiometers to administer hearing tests; and in fitting earphones and bone conductors on patients

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

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Audiometric technicians need:

  • Interpersonal skills
  • Communication skills (both spoken and written)
  • Attention to detail
  • Patience
  • The ability to work alone or as part of a team
  • Basic computer skills
  • An interest in biology and technology
  • Problem-solving skills (for dealing with equipment problems)

They should enjoy:

  • Compiling and recording test results
  • Working with people
  • Operating equipment, such as audiometers

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

Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment

2016 NOC: 3237

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 173 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Mar 28, 2023 and Dec 20, 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.
Tasks: Clean and maintain equipment
Tasks: Carry out treatment programs, under the direction of physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists, to rehabilitate patients with various injuries or disabilities
Attention to detail
Physiotherapy
Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years
Organized
Tasks: Document patient rehabilitation progress
Client focus
Tasks: Schedule and confirm appointments
Team player
Tasks: Clean and maintain equipment 128
Tasks: Carry out treatment programs, under the direction of physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists, to rehabilitate patients with various injuries or disabilities 119
Attention to detail 91
Physiotherapy 88
Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years 85
Construction Specialization: Organized 84
Tasks: Document patient rehabilitation progress 81
Construction Specialization: Client focus 79
Tasks: Schedule and confirm appointments 74
Construction Specialization: Team player 66
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Minimum Education Varies

Audiometric technicians come from various health-care backgrounds. Some may be nurses who test hearing as part of their job. Others may be paramedics who perform hearing tests on a part-time basis.

The minimum education required to administer audiometric testing is successful completion of an audiometric technician training course approved by the Government of Alberta or an approved equivalent. The approved course is currently offered through distance education by MacEwan University in Edmonton and classroom instruction at THM Audiology Group Ltd. in Calgary. Audiometric technicians must recertify every 5 years.

Most employers require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Experience working with the public is an asset. Some employers prefer applicants who have a valid driver’s licence.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

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, 2024
  • 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.

Audiometric Technician

Audiometric technicians administer tests to measure hearing. They work under the supervision of a physician, audiologist, or occupational health nurse.

Legislation

Under Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety Code [pdf], employers must provide initial (baseline) and follow-up audiometric testing for workers exposed to excess noise at the work site. These audiometric tests must be administered by an audiometric technician who works in consultation with a physician, audiologist, or occupational health nurse designated by the employer.

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

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Audiometric technicians may work in:

  • Private health clinics, such as audiologists’ offices
  • Hospitals
  • Occupational health clinics
  • Service providers that provide mobile audiometric testing services
  • Companies that have in-house hearing conservation programs

Some work on a contract basis.

With additional education and training, an audiometric technician may become a hearing aid practitioner.

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.

Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
2016 NOC: 3237

82.5% of people in this occupational group work in:

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 examples, see Note.

Look for Work

Think Industries and Sectors When Planning Your Career

Jobs and occupations are changing every day. It can be hard to know what the future of work looks like—but not impossible. Look at industries and sectors for possible inspiration, insights, and opportunities.
3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Other assisting occupations in support of health services
2021 NOC: 33109
Medium
Demand
5,500
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

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 examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

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
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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

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

Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
2016 NOC: 3237
1.9%
Annual Growth
(Below Average)
22
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

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 examples, see Note.

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, 2024

Hourly wages are directly related to the technician’s qualifications.

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.

Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment

2016 NOC: 3237
Average Wage
$27.61
Per Hour
Average Salary
$46,713.00
Per Year
Average Hours
33.2
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.7
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
 2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 3237 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.

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.

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 $15.00 $43.71 $24.13 $19.92
Overall $17.00 $47.94 $27.61 $23.36
Top $17.00 $49.35 $29.26 $24.95

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
ALL INDUSTRIES $46,713
Educational Services $40,044
Health Care & Social Assistance $46,793

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
36%
36%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
13%
13%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
7%
7%
Vacancy Rate
3%
Related High School Subjects
  • Health, Recreation and Human Services
    • Health Care Services
    • Human and Social Services
  • Science
    • Biology
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Health Care and Medical Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Government of Alberta, audiometric technician training website: www.alberta.ca/audiometric-technician-training

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

Updated Mar 31, 2024. 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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