Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
(NOC 3141)
in All HealthAudiologists 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
Compared to: All Health
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
MaximumAnnual Pay
$22,222
Minimum$74,291
Median$91,134
MaximumCompared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
$16.70
Minimum$26.60
Median$43.30
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,740
Minimum$43,853
Median$88,944
MaximumAbout 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
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Health
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$74,452 median annual incomeCape Breton
$74,449 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$68,026 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$65,874 median annual incomeSouthern
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
Educational services
Professional, scientific and technical services
Public administration
Retail trade
What is the age of Employment?
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
65+
Compared to: All Health
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
Master
$74,504 median annual incomeDoctorate
N/AHigh school
N/ACompared to: All Health
College Diploma
$40,033 median annual incomeBachelor
$61,668 median annual incomeMedicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry
$81,191 median annual incomeHigh school
$24,829 median annual incomeMaster
$69,296 median annual incomeEducation & training
Audiology/Audiologist and Hearing Sciences
College or University ProgramThese 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
Speech-Language Pathology
College or University ProgramThese 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
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
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.
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.