Audiometric Technician

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: Audiometric Assistants (3235.2) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Other Technical Occupations in Therapy and Assessment (D235) 
• 2011 NOC: Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment (3237) 

Audiometric technicians work in consultation with audiologists, physicians and occupational health nurses. Their duties and responsibilities vary from one position to another but, in general, they:

• use audiometers to conduct hearing tests for people of all ages
• ensure audiometers and related equipment are functioning properly
• maintain a log book for each audiometer that includes calibration records
• maintain records of audiometric tests
• ensure clients' medical history information is kept confidential. 

Conducting a hearing test usually involves:

• collecting from clients medical history information regarding hearing
• describing test procedures
• visually examining clients' ears to check for obvious signs of infection, excessive wax or anything else that might prevent sound waves from reaching the middle ear
• using audiometers to measure the lowest frequency at which each ear hears a pure tone
• recording results and providing a copy to the client
• classifying results
• discussing results with clients or their caregivers and, when appropriate, making referrals to audiologists or physicians.

Where workers are exposed to loud, repeated noise from heavy machinery or other sources, audiometric technicians:

• identify a suitable testing environment
• conduct a baseline hearing test for each worker within six months of employment
• conduct regularly scheduled follow-up tests to track changes in each worker's hearing threshold (lowest frequency heard)
• educate workers about the use, care and fit of personal hearing protection.

Audiometric technicians also may:

• record information used to evaluate the effectiveness of hearing conservation programs
• co-ordinate schedules for screening programs
• make follow-up appointments
• perform other administrative support functions.

In Alberta, individuals who select, fit and sell hearing aids and provide counselling and troubleshooting support for hearing aid users must be registered hearing aid practitioners or audiologists. (For more information, see the Hearing Aid Practitioner and Audiologist profiles.)

Audiometric technicians work in a wide variety of settings including clinics, hospitals, schools and industrial work-sites. Some audiometric technicians travel to work sites to provide mobile testing services.

Audiometric technicians may work regular weekday hours or they may be required to work some early morning, evening or weekend hours.

Audiometric technicians need the following characteristics:

• good interpersonal skills
• good communication skills
• the ability to pay close attention to details 
• patience
• the ability to work independently and in a multidisciplinary team 
• 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 and operating equipment such as audiometers.

Audiometric technicians may work in:

• private health clinics such as audiologists' offices
• hospitals  
• occupational health clinics
• companies that provide mobile audiometric testing services
• corporations that have in-house hearing conservation programs.

Some audiometric technicians work on a contract basis.

In large organizations, audiometric technicians may move into supervisory positions. With additional education and training, technicians may become hearing aid practitioners.

Audiometric technicians are part of the 2011 National Occupational Classification 3237: Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment. In Alberta, 87% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Health Care and Social Assistance (PDF)
• Retail Trade (PDF)

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 industries listed above)
• 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.

Over 3,600 Albertans are employed in the Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.1% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 112 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As audiometric technicians form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for audiometric technicians.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Labour, Audiometric Technician Training website: http://work.alberta.ca/occupational-health-safety/audiometric-training.html

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.