Description

Audiologists diagnose, evaluate and treat individuals with peripheral and central hearing loss, tinnitus and balance problems. Speech-language pathologists diagnose, assess and treat human communication disorders including speech, fluency, language, voice and swallowing disorders. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists are employed in hospitals, community and public health centres, extended care facilities, day clinics, rehabilitation centres and educational institutions, or may work in private practice. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists who are supervisors are included in this unit group.

Job Titles

• Amplification audiologist
• Audiologist
• Audiology clinician
• Audiology specialist
• Certified audiologist
• Certified hearing aid audiologist
• Clinical audiologist
• Community audiologist
• Diagnostic audiologist
• Dispensing audiologist
• Educational audiologist
• Industrial audiologist
• Pediatric audiologist
• Research audiologist

Main Duties

• Develop and administer audiometric tests and examinations using specialized instruments and electronic equipment to diagnose and evaluate the degree and type of patients’ hearing impairment
• Plan and implement habilitation/rehabilitation programs for patients, including selection, fitting and adjustment of amplification devices, such as hearing aids, balance retraining exercises and teaching speech (lip) reading
• Educate and counsel patients and families regarding the nature, extent, impact and implications of hearing loss and treatment
• Establish personalized care plans working as a member of an interdisciplinary team
• Conduct research related to hearing and hearing disorders
• May instruct and supervise audiometric technicians, students and other health care personnel.

Workplaces

• Community and public health centres
• Day clinics
• Education institutions
• Extended care facilities
• Hospitals
• Private practice
• Rehabilitation centres

Skills

• Oral Communication: Oral Comprehension
• Oral Communication: Oral Expression
• Social Perceptiveness
• Critical Thinking Decision Making

Abilities

• Hearing Sensitivity
• Problem Identification
• Auditory Attention
• Deductive Reasoning
• Finger Dexterity

Personal Attributes

• Attention to Detail
• Concern for Others
• Independence
• Active Learning
• Adaptability

Similar Occupations

• Managers in health care (30010)
• Hearing aid practitioner (in 32109.01 Hearing instrument practitioners)

Source: OaSIS