How to Become an Audiologist Technician
Audiologist technicians or assistants aid audiologists in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders. While there are no universal qualifications to become an audiologist technician, there are several steps that you can take to become an audiologist assistant. Training can vary from on-the-job training to the completion of formal education programs that provides you with foundational knowledge in fields related to audiology. According to Payscal, the average annual pay for audiologist technicians was between $26,039 and $38,951, as of November 2010.
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Instructions
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Call to inquire about what kind of requirements local audiologists may have for hiring assistants. If you plan on working in the area where you live, inquire about what type of training they may provide or require before they will hire an assistant.
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Obtain an associate degree in a field related to audiology. A bachelor's degree is not necessary to work as an audiologist technician, but an associate degree in speech and hearing science can provide you with the necessary background needed to secure a position working for an audiologist.
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Take online courses in audiologist assistant training. Some schools like Nova Southeastern University have specifically designated programs that can be taken to prepare for a career as an audiologist's assistant. The upside to these types of program is that they typically take about six months to complete, rather than two years as most associate degree programs require. The program at Nova Southeastern offers students the opportunity to obtain audiology training entirely online. Students download simulator programs that train them to use equipment used by audiologists.
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Contact your state's licensing agency to determine whether or not any type of license is needed in your state. Each state has its own regulations regarding the practice of audiology as a profession. In some cases, you may have to obtain a state-issued license to work as a technician.
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Apply for employment as a audiologist technician until you obtain a position.
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Take additional coursework throughout your career to stay current on the latest trends and science in the audiology field. This will help you to maintain a positive image with the audiologist you work with and provide you with job security as a competent and qualified audiologist technician.
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References
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