How to Become An Audiologist's Assistant

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By replicant
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If you enjoy working with people, especially children, you may want to become an audiologist's assistant. Under the supervision of an audiologist, the audiologist's assistant performs tasks related to the assessment and treatment of auditory disorders. Such tasks can include assisting the audiologist in testing, keeping records, maintaining equipment, repairing hearing aid devices, training patients in the use of hearing aids, and screening infants. Assistants may create impressions for hearing aid shells and earmolds. State laws regulate what tasks an audiologist's assistant may perform.

Audiologists increase patient satisfaction by improving workflows in the audiologist's office. Offices with audiologist's assistants, compared to those without, have shorter wait times and reduced costs, since the audiologist is freed from duties that the assistant can perform.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for an audiologist's assistant is over $45,000. Salaries are higher in private audiology practices than in institutions. Employment prospects are excellent, with job openings expected to grow much faster than average, due mainly to an aging population. This is career field with plenty of employment and a high level of job satisfaction.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Decide if this is the right career for you. An online career inventory can help. It can also be helpful to arrange for an informational interview at an audiologist's office. The website Audiology Online has a helpful cover story article on audiologist's assistants (see "Resources" at the bottom of this article).
Step 2

Obtain training. Although a high school diploma will suffice for many audiologist's assistant job openings, you will have more opportunities and enhanced future career prospects with specialized training. Many junior colleges and vocational schools offer this training. Some programs, like Bellevue University (Nevada) offer programs that are entirely online. Check Petersons Online for a listing of schools.
Step 3

Become registered and/or certified. In most states, audiologist's assistants must register, and several states require certification. Certification requirements vary from state to state, so you should check with the state board of health in the location you plan to work.