Audiometric Technician
Audiometric technicians administer tests to measure hearing and provide other support services for audiologists and related health-care professionals.
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Occupational Hearing Conservationist
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
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
Audiometric technicians work with audiologists, doctors and occupational health nurses. Their duties and responsibilities vary from one position to another. In general, they:
Conducting a hearing test usually involves:
In keeping with the Alberta Occupation Health and Safety Code, audiometric technicians:
They may also:
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 work in clinics, hospitals, schools and work sites. Some technicians travel to work sites to provide mobile testing services.
Some technicians may work regular weekday hours. Others may be required to work some early morning, evening or weekend hours.
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.
Interest in compiling and recording test results
Interest in speaking with patients to instruct them in testing and examination procedures
Interest in operating audiometers to administer hearing tests; and in fitting earphones and bone conductors on patients
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
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.
Audiometric technicians need to possess:
They should enjoy:
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.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 98 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 24, 2021 and Dec 06, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
Tasks: Carry out treatment programs, under the direction of physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists, to rehabilitate patients with various injuries or disabilities | 70 |
---|---|
Tasks: Clean and maintain equipment | 65 |
Tasks: Schedule and confirm appointments | 54 |
Attention to detail | 52 |
Construction Specialization: Organized | 51 |
Tasks: Assist during assessment of patients and carry out treatment programs and develop materials for use with patients | 47 |
Tasks: Document patient rehabilitation progress | 46 |
Construction Specialization: Client focus | 44 |
Physiotherapy | 44 |
Construction Specialization: Flexibility | 39 |
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 labourers or the general public is an asset. Some employers prefer applicants who have a valid driver’s licence.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
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.
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 technicians administer tests to measure hearing. They work under the supervision of a physician, audiologist or occupational health nurse.
Under Part 16 of 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 worksite. 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.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Audiometric technicians may work in:
Some work on a contract basis.
With additional education and training, an audiometric technician may become a hearing aid practitioner.
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.
In the 3237: Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment occupational group, 82.5% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 3237: Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.4% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 75 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 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.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
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.
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.
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.
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
ALL INDUSTRIES | $46,713 |
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Educational Services | $40,044 |
Health Care & Social Assistance | $46,793 |
Government of Alberta, audiometric technician training website: work.alberta.ca/occupational-health-safety/audiometric-training.html
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 22, 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.