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Audiometrists assess clients' individual hearing needs in their social, educational and work-related environments. A rehabilitation plan is then formulated to address their needs in these areas. This usually takes the form of prescribing a hearing aid, but may also involve strategies that may be used by both the hearing impaired person as well as their immediate family and friends, who are encouraged to take an active part in the client's rehabilitation.
Several Steps In Between Testing And Fitting
Reyne Bellekom, having studied the Certificate IV (Audiometry), says after a client consults him the first thing to do is to determine their history. ''Have they worn a hearing aid before?'', ''Have they been exposed to any noise?'', ''Is there a history of family hearing impairment?'' and ''Have they had any ear surgery performed previously''.
''Then I would do a full audiometric test, which involves air conduction, bone conduction, air/bone masking and speech testing.''
As a student of audiometry, Reyne worked under the supervision of a qualified audiologist/audiometrist. Once qualified, audiometrists may continue to work alongside other audiometrists or audiologists or work independently. The difference between audiologists and audiometrists is that audiologists deal with more complex hearing impaired clients. Audiologists must complete undergraduate and post graduate studies in audiology. .
The next step for audiometrists is to assess the outcomes of the various tests. The tests could indicate that the client suffers from nerve deafness, conductive (transfer of sound) impairment or mixed (nerve and conductive) impairment. The audiometrist must explain the client's condition to them and ensure that the client has an understanding of their impairment.
''Audiometrists need good communication skills. Often the client does not understand what is wrong so the audiometrist needs to be able to relay this to them and to ensure that they fully understand their impairment. The client may not want to accept they have a hearing impairment, so I have to be equally understanding and patient,'' says Reyne.
Devising the most appropriate action and/or hearing device is the next step for audiometrists. Aids can be fitted behind or inside the client's ear and the size of an aid can differ greatly. With advances in technology, minute aids are now available. However, the size used may be influenced by the type of hearing loss. As a rule, the more severe the loss, the larger the aid. If a hearing aid is required, audiometrists take an impression of the client's ear, which is then sent to a hearing aid manufacturer.
Reyne says that providing client advice is a significant part of his work as clients often have a number of concerns regarding their hearing. Sometimes, hearing aids are not suitable and the audiometrist will teach the client strategies and tactics to help them cope with their hearing loss. Together, the audiometrist and client must set realistic goals to achieve.
No Short Cuts
''There is a lot involved during a client consultation so it is important to be observant, diligent and highly organised. If you make a wrong call, it looks very unprofessional. Assessing the client's needs and expectations is imperative,'' says Reyne.
Rewarding?
''It is, especially when people say thank you and tell you that you've changed their lives,'' says Reyne.
On a technical level, audiometrists need an understanding about sound, hearing and the structure and function of the ear. It is necessary, also, to know about different hearing problems and to learn how to program and use hearing aids.
Audiometrists can find employment with hearing aid companies, hospitals, laboratories and some audiology practices. According to an Australian College of Audiology Inc (ACAud) spokesperson, there is a shortage of qualified audiometrists and audiologists n Western Australia. This situation, in addition to an ageing population, means there are sound employment opportunities for qualified audiometrists.
The starting salary for recent graduates is approximately $40,000 and this generally climbs to $70,000 for audiometrists with more experience, however, it is possible to earn in excess of the latter especially if one ventures into self employment.
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