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Audiologist/Audiometrist

Kaimātai Ororongo/Kaimātau Ororongo

Audiologists and audiometrists study, identify, measure and treat hearing loss and ear disorders. They also provide aids and other listening devices to assist patients with hearing loss.

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Secondary education

A tertiary entrance qualification is required to enter further training. Useful subjects include biology, health education, maths, physics, te reo Māori and English.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Master's degree and above

Useful experience

Useful experience for audiologists and audiometrists includes:

  • work in rest homes
  • work with people who have hearing impairments.

What you will do

Audiologists/audiometrists may do some or all or the following:

  • study, identify and measure hearing problems using specialised equipment
  • advise on hearing problems and prescribe, select and fit hearing aids
  • help patients with rehabilitation after hearing loss
  • repair hearing aids and supply hearing aid batteries.

Audiologists may also:

  • research hearing problems
  • assess and manage problems processing sound
  • do assessments of workplace and classroom sound levels
  • adjust a client’s cochlear implants until the sound is clear.

Skills and knowledge

Audiologists/audiometrists need to have knowledge of:

  • hearing problems
  • the latest treatment of hearing problems
  • the structure and function of the ear and brain
  • hearing aids and other hearing devices
  • acoustics and physics
  • child development.

Knowledge of New Zealand Sign Language may be helpful.

Pay

Audiologists usually earn

$50K-$120K

per year

Audiometrists usually earn

$48K-$75K

per year

Job opportunities
Good
Chances of getting a job as an audiologist are good due to high demand for their services.
Length of training
2-5
years of training required.

Industry

Health

Audiologists and audiometrists study, identify, measure and treat hearing loss and ear disorders. They also provide aids and other listening devices to assist patients with hearing loss.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

Audiology training

To become an audiologist you need to have a Master of Audiology degree. You also need to be registered with the New Zealand Audiological Society.

  • Audiometry training

To become an audiometrist you need to get a job as a trainee audiometrist first. You then study for a Diploma of Audiometry by distance learning with TAFE in Australia. You can then register with the New Zealand Audiological Society.

  • The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 means that if you have certain serious convictions, you can’t be employed in a role where you are responsible for, or work alone with, children. 

Chances of getting a job

Strong demand for audiologists

Chances of finding work as an audiologist are good because the number of graduates meets the demand caused by audiologists retiring or leaving. 

Masters students have a good chance of finding work during their studies, but employment is not guaranteed.

According to the Census, 519 audiologists worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Audiologist and audiometrist both appear on Immigration New Zealand's Green List. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled audiologists and audiometrists from overseas to work in New Zealand.

Health clinics and hospitals main employers

Most audiologists and audiometrists work for public and private audiology clinics or hospitals.

They may also work for: 

  • hearing-aid manufacturers
  • universities, doing research and teaching
  • education centres for people who are deaf or hearing-impaired
  • the North Island or Southern Cochlear Implant programme
  • government organisations, such as the Ministry of Health, doing consultancy work
  • non-profit organisations such as the National Foundation for the Deaf.

Find out more about training

NZ Audiological Society
0800 625 166 - admin@audiology.org.nz - www.audiology.org.nz

Progression and specialisations

Audiologists may progress to become managers of audiology clinics or hospital departments. With further study, audiologists can become academics.

Audiologists may specialise in:

  • identifying hearing loss
  • assessment and diagnosis of hearing loss or disorders
  • treatment of individuals with impairment of auditory and vestibular function
  • research in normal and disordered auditory and vestibular function
  • intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring.

Working conditions

Audiologists/audiometrists:

  • usually work regular business hours
  • work in hospitals, private practices, universities and hearing aid companies
  • may travel nationally to attend conferences, or visit clinics, rest homes or people's houses to conduct hearing tests.

Physical Requirements

Audiologists and audiometrists need to have:

  • good eyesight (with or without corrective lenses)
  • good hearing
  • a clear speaking voice.

Useful personal qualities

Audiologists/audiometrists need to be:

  • patient
  • understanding
  • good listeners and able to relate to a wide range of people
  • good communicators
  • good at planning and research.

Industry

Health

Audiologists and audiometrists study, identify, measure and treat hearing loss and ear disorders. They also provide aids and other listening devices to assist patients with hearing loss.

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