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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.
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Avg. Salary $42,149.00
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Avg. Wage $25.61
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Minimum Education Varies
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Outlook above avg
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Employed 1,900
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In Demand Medium
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: 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)
- 2016 NOC: Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment (3237)
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
67%
67%
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
Average Wage
| Starting | $20.85 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $25.61 |
| Top | $29.23 |
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Certification Provincially Regulated
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Interest Codes
The Audiometric Technician is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Audiometric Assistants
- METHODICAL
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Interest in compiling and recording test results
- SOCIAL
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Interest in speaking with patients to instruct them in testing and examination procedures
- OBJECTIVE
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Interest in operating audiometers to administer hearing tests; and in fitting earphones and bone conductors on patients
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 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.
Duties
Updated Mar 22, 2018
Audiometric technicians work with audiologists, doctors and occupational health nurses. Their duties and responsibilities vary from one position to another. In general, they:
- use audiometers to conduct hearing tests for workers
- ensure audiometers and related equipment works
- ensure the testing environment falls within an acceptable decibel range
- maintain a log book for each audiometer that includes calibration records
- maintain records of tests
- keep workers’ test data private.
Conducting a hearing test usually involves:
- learning about a client’s medical history regarding hearing
- describing how tests work
- checking clients’ ears for signs of infection (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.
They may also:
- record data that measures the effectiveness of hearing conservation programs
- co-ordinate 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.
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 22, 2018
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.
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Mar 22, 2018
Audiometric technicians need to possess:
- good people skills
- the ability to speak and write clearly
- attention to detail
- patience
- the ability to work alone and 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.
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 22, 2018
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.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 22, 2018
Audiometric Technician
Audiometric technicians administer tests to measure hearing. They work under the supervision of a physician, audiologist or occupational health nurse.
Legislation
Under Part 16 of Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety Code, 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.
What You Need
Certification requires successful completion of an audiometric technician training course approved by the Director of Medical Services or an approved equivalent. Re-qualification is required every five years. For official, detailed information about certification requirements, contact Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Program Development, Government of Alberta.
Working in Alberta
Audiometric technicians who are certified by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for certification in Alberta if certified audiometric technicians 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).
Contact Details
Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Program Development
Government of Alberta
8th Floor, Labour Building
10808 - 99 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T5K 0G5
Call: 780-427-2687
Fax: 780-422-0014
Website: work.alberta.ca/occupational-health-safety.html
Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 22, 2018
Audiometric technicians may work in:
- private health clinics (such as audiologists’ offices)
- hospitals
- occupational health clinics
- companies 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.
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 [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
- trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industries listed above
- location in Alberta
- employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
- occupational growth (when new positions are created)
- size of the occupation
In Alberta, the D235: Other Technical Occupations in Therapy and Assessment occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.1% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 112 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 22, 2018
Hourly wages are directly related to the technician’s qualifications.
Hourly Wage
For full-time and part-time employees
- Low
- High
- Average
- Median
Starting
Overall
Top
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $34.00 | $20.85 | $19.06 |
| Overall | $17.00 | $41.70 | $25.61 | $23.01 |
| Top | $19.10 | $47.30 | $29.23 | $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.
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.
Industry Information
| Educational Services | $46,095 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $42,149 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $40,825 |
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
67%
67%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
26%
26%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
1%
1%
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 22, 2018
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.
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