Audiologist

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

• 3141.1: Audiologists

2006 NOC-S

• D041: Audiologists and SpeechLanguage Pathologists

2011 NOC

• 3141: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists

2016 NOC

• 3141: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists

2021 NOC

• 31112: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists

2023 OaSIS

• 31112.01: Audiologists

Audiologists may work with a specific age group, such as infants, preschoolers, or seniors, or with people of all ages. In general, they:

• Test, measure, and treat hearing and balance issues using specialized tools and technologies
• Assess the degree, type, and cause of hearing or balance problems
• Help clients manage cerumen (earwax)
• Recommend, select, and fit listening devices such as hearing aids, auditory training systems, cochlear implants, and BAHA devices
• Recommend and select assistive listening devices such as telephone adaptors, visual alerting systems, and alarms
• Teach clients how to use these devices
• Plan and provide custom rehabilitation programs such as auditory training, speech reading, and communication strategies
• Train clients to manage tinnitus (perceived sound with no external source) and hyperacusis (reduced tolerance to sound)
• Help parents, educators, and others learn to communicate better with those experiencing hearing challenges
• Document, store, and manage client records
• Assess and manage central auditory processing disorders
• Consult with other audiologists, health-care providers, and educators

Audiologists sometimes work in teams with other professionals. These might include speech-language pathologists, hearing aid practitioners, otolaryngologists (ear-nose-throat doctors) and other physicians, psychologists, social workers, nurses, educators, occupational therapists, or physical therapists. These teams may focus on evaluating the outcomes of interventions such as amplification (such as with hearing aids) or communication and speech reading strategies. They may research ways to prevent hearing loss in work, school, and leisure settings.

Some audiologists:

• Develop and supervise hearing screening programs
• Develop, implement, and supervise aural rehabilitation programs
• Plan and provide noise management programs to protect and conserve hearing
• Train and supervise students, professionals, and therapy assistants
• Conduct research in hearing and balance
• Work for companies that manufacture hearing aids
• Teach in universities and colleges

Most audiologists work regular weekday office hours. They may work with individuals or teams in private clinics, community health centres, rehabilitation centres, hospitals, or schools.

Audiologists must practice biosafety measures, such as safe specimen handling and proper waste disposal. Some audiologists may provide services using virtual (online) options for providing comprehensive audiological care.

Most audiologists work at:

• Private clinics
• Rehabilitation centres
• Hospitals
• Community health centres
• School boards

Some work as:

• Researchers at hospitals, universities, or government agencies
• Speech and hearing program administrators
• Sales reps for hearing aid companies (to learn more, see the Technical Sales Representative occupational profile)

Most research positions require a doctorate. Some audiologists operate their own private clinics.

There is potential for specialization within the field of audiology, such as pediatric audiology.

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.

In the 3141: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists occupational group, 96.7% of people work in:

• Health Care and Social Services
• Educational Services

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

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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.

• 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

In Alberta, the 3141: Audiologists and speech-language pathologists occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 2.2% from 2021 to 2025. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 36 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: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

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

Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (ACSLPA) website: www.acslpa.ab.ca

Canadian Academy of Audiology website: canadianaudiology.ca

Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: hsaa.ca

Speech-Language & Audiology Canada website: www.sac-oac.ca

Western National Centre for Audiology website: www.uwo.ca/nca

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