Hearing care professionals in Australia must be government accredited Audiologist or Audiometrist to work under the OHS Voucher Scheme, and there are a number of steps, or criteria: -
- Education in either Audiology or Audiometry
- The professional must spend time working under supervision in the field within an accedited service provider, like Adelaide Digital Hearing Solutions
- Sit an exam that is set by the relevant industry body
Becoming an Audiologist
To become an audiologist you must have first completed a bachelor degree at University and then undertake and complete a Master of Clinical Audiology. In Australia this course is available at five universities: Flinders University, South Australia; Melbourne University, Victoria; Macquarie University, New South Wales; University of Western Australia, Western Australia and University of Queensland, Queensland.
The Master of Clinical Audiology (MCAud) course is a 2-year full time program, which includes coursework and supervised clinical practicum of around 200 hours (varies between universities).
There are no specific prerequisite undergraduate subjects, but relevant undergraduate degrees include linguistics, psychology, speech and hearing science, biomedical science or physical and behavioural sciences. Acceptance into the program is based on good grades in any undergraduate university degree and an interview to determine if the student has a good grasp of the requirements for the profession of audiology.
Courses in South Australia
While other states also have audiology courses, in South Australia the course is only offered through Flinders University.
Course: Flinders University: Master of Audiology: Course Co-ordinator
Link: www.flinders.edu.au/Courses/postgrad/audio.htm
Contact: Dr. Christopher Lind
Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology
Flinders University
GPO Box 2100
ADELAIDE, 5001
Ph: 08 8204 5950
Fax: 08 8204 5935
Email: chris.lind@flinders.edu.au
or
Ms. Karen Sparrow (Lecturer in Audiology)
Address as above
Ph: 08 8204 5986
Email: karen.sparrow@flinders.edu.au
Audiometry Courses
To become an Audiometrist, there are now two paths that a professional may take: -
- Diploma of Audiometry
- Bachelor of Audiometry
Diploma of Audiometry
Both courses require completion of core and elective units/ modules (flexible learning options), supervised clinical practicum in the workplace, attendance at classroom sessions and assignments and assessments.
Students who complete the Certificate IV in Audiometric Assessment can perform hearing screenings and assessments to identify hearing impairment and take appropriate action. This action may include referral for further audiological or medical assessment; coordinating programs for the prevention of hearing loss; and/ or care management and education programs. People in this area work in audiology or Audiometry practices, industrial settings or community and regional health settings.
Audiometrists who complete the Diploma of Hearing Device Prescription and Evaluation can also prescribe or dispense hearing aids and will eventually qualify to work as an independent practitioner. Audiometrists who work for Adelaide Digital Hearing Solutions must have completed both qualifications.
At present, two TAFE colleges in Australia offer these courses: TAFE Ultimo, New South Wales (face to face classroom option) and OTEN Strathfield, New South Wales (distance learning program with some residential schools).
Bachelor of Audiometry
If you have completed the Certificate IV in Audiometric Assessment and are currently enrolled in the new Diploma in Audiometry at TAFE (HLT51307 Diploma of Hearing Device Prescriptions and Evaluations), or have completed the new Diploma, you are eligible to start the Bachelor of Audiometry program at UNE. This will lead to a named undergraduate degree in Audiometry. The combination of practical vocational training and strongly relevant conceptual knowledge makes you highly competiitve in the employment market and in the application pool for entry to postgraduate study in Clinical Audiology.
Course Links
Certificate in Audiometric Assessment
http://www.oten.edu.au/oten/core/showpage.htm?pg=ccindex&cofferid=8060
Hearing Device Prescription and Evaluation
http://www.oten.edu.au/oten/core/showpage.htm?pg=ccindex&cofferid=8255
Bachelor of Audiometry
http://www.une.edu.au/bcss/psychology/programs/b-gen-audio.php
