Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists

(NOC 3141)

in All Health

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 work in hospitals, community and public health centres, extended care facilities, day clinics, rehabilitation centres and schools, or may work in private practice. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists who are supervisors are included in this group.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 90 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Health

  • Estimate 3550 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 6335 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

The job market for speech-language pathologists and audiologists is fairly balanced throughout the province. At times however, there may be greater competition for openings in Halifax, where graduates from the only university program in the region tend to look for work. Those willing to relocate would have a better chance of getting hired. A large share of speech-language pathologists are employed by the public healthcare and education systems, while private practices account for the remainder of the employment. Audiologists also work in both public healthcare and private settings.

Hourly Pay

$34.52

Minimum

$45.00

Median

$54.95

Maximum

Annual Pay

$22,222

Minimum

$74,291

Median

$91,134

Maximum

Compared to: All Health

Hourly Pay

$16.70

Minimum

$26.60

Median

$43.30

Maximum

Annual Pay

$10,740

Minimum

$43,853

Median

$88,944

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

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 work in hospitals, community and public health centres, extended care facilities, day clinics, rehabilitation centres and schools, or may work in private practice. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists who are supervisors are included in this group.

Job duties

Audiologists:

  • Develop and administer 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 like hearing aids, and teaching speech (lip) reading.
  • Provide information to patients and families regarding the nature, extent, impact and implications of hearing loss and treatment.
  • Create 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.

Speech-language pathologists:

  • Administer tests and examinations and observe patients to diagnose and evaluate speech, voice, resonance, language, cognitive-linguistic and swallowing disorders.
  • Develop, plan, and implement programs to correct speech, voice, language, resonance, cognitive-linguistic and swallowing disorders.
  • Create group and personalized care plans working as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
  • Provide advice and educational services to patients and families regarding communication and swallowing disorders.
  • Conduct research on speech and other communication disorders and on the development and design of diagnostic procedures and devices.
  • May instruct and supervise communicative disorders assistants, students, and other health care personnel.

Sample job titles

  • aduiology specialist
  • audiologist
  • diagnostic audiologist
  • hearing aid audiologist
  • pediatric audiologist
  • research audiologist
  • speech and language therapist
  • speech pathologist
  • speech therapist
  • speech-language pathologist

Skills

  • You should have an interest in health, and in caring for the special needs of people, or an interest in educating and working with students who have language and communication challenges. Ingenuity, initiative, and imagination are needed to adapt activities to individual needs. You should be patient, self-disciplined, and resourceful. The ability to inspire confidence and to motivate clients is important. A strong sense of responsibility, good judgment, and communication skills are also necessary.

Job requirements

  • Audiologists require a master's degree in audiology.
  • Speech-language pathologists require a master's degree in speech-language pathology.
  • Membership in the national association, Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, is usually required.

Other considerations

  • Movement into management positions like chief audiologist or director of speech-language pathology is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

320

employed in 2016

79.7%

employed full-time

14.1%

self employed

89.1%
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10.9%
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41.7

median age

Compared to: All Health

36,515

employed in 2016

75.7%

employed full-time

9.6%

self employed

83.6%
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16.4%
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43.5

median age

Where will I likely work?

58.7%

Halifax

$74,452 median annual income
14.3%

Cape Breton

$74,449 median annual income
11.1%

Annapolis Valley

$68,026 median annual income
9.5%

North Shore

$65,874 median annual income
6.3%

Southern

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

52.5%

Health care and social assistance

37.7%

Educational services

3.3%

Professional, scientific and technical services

3.3%

Public administration

3.3%

Retail trade

What is the age of Employment?

31.0%

25-34

28.0%

45-54

25.0%

35-44

13.0%

55-64

3.0%

65+

Compared to: All Health

24.0%

25-34

23.9%

45-54

21.9%

35-44

18.4%

55-64

7.7%

15-24

Top levels of education

88.9%

Master

$74,504 median annual income
6.3%

Doctorate

N/A
3.2%

High school

N/A

Compared to: All Health

38.4%

College Diploma

$40,033 median annual income
27.1%

Bachelor

$61,668 median annual income
8.7%

Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry

$81,191 median annual income
6.8%

High school

$24,829 median annual income
5.1%

Master

$69,296 median annual income

Education & training

Audiology/Audiologist and Hearing Sciences

College or University Program

These programs focus on the scientific study of hearing processes and hearing loss, and that prepares individuals to diagnose hearing loss and impairments and advise patients on means to use their remaining hearing and select and fit hearing aids and other devices. They include courses in acoustics, anatomy and physiology of hearing, hearing measurement, auditory pathology, middle and inner ear analysis, rehabilitation therapies and assistive technologies, and pediatric and other special applications.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Speech-Language Pathology

College or University Program

These programs prepare students to evaluate the speaking, language interpretation, and related physiological and cognitive capabilities of children and/or adults and develop treatment and rehabilitative solutions in consultation with clinicians and educators. They include courses in the anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing, biomechanics of swallowing and vocal articulation, communications disorders, psychology of auditory function and cognitive communication, language assessment and diagnostic techniques, and rehabilitative and management therapies.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Speech-Language Pathologist/Speech-Language Therapist/Speech and Language Therapist

Right to Title and Practice: This job is regulated. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional licence. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
Halifax, NS
Audiologist/Hearing Aid Audiologist/Audiology Specialist

Right to Title and Practice: This job is regulated. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional licence. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
Halifax, NS

Contacts

Speech Pathologist's and Audiologist's Association of the NSTU
Nova Scotia, Canada
Speech-Language & Audiology Canada
Ottawa, ON
Health Care Human Resource Sector Council
Bedford, NS