What skills does a audiologist need?

A audiologist needs 57 essential skills including hygiene in a health care setting, audiometry, health care legislation, audiology, neurophysiology. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace audiologist jobs?

The AI disruption score for audiologist is 54/100 (moderate risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

HealthcareHealth professionalsISCO 2266

audiologist

Audiologists assess, diagnose and treat patients ( children or adults) with audiological and vestibular disorders caused by infectious, genetic, traumatic or degenerative conditions, such as hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, imbalance, hyperacusis and auditory processing difficulties. They can prescribe a hearing aid and have a role in assessing and managing patients who may benefit from cochlear implants.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (57)

hygiene in a health care settinghygiene in a health care settingThe procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipmen...audiometryaudiometryThe way hearing acuity is measured, specifically related to sound intensity and pitch and tonal purity in order to diagnose hearing impairment and related disorders.health care legislationhealth care legislationThe patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.audiologyaudiologyThe science related to the hearing, balance and other related disorders and conditions specific to adults or children.neurophysiologyneurophysiologyThe medical specialty which is concerned with the study of the nervous system functionalities.acousticsacousticsThe study of sound, its reflection, amplification and absorption in a space.communication related to hearing impairmentcommunication related to hearing impairmentThe phonologic, morphologic and syntactic aspects and characteristics of human communication for individuals affected by hearing impairment.physiology of hearingphysiology of hearingThe means by which sounds are transmitted through the outer, middle, inner ear and brain.physiology of balancephysiology of balanceThe characteristics and functions of the vestibular system, which is the responsible for body equilibrium.human physiologyhuman physiologyThe science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.hearing losshearing lossThe manifestation, causes and symptoms of hearing impairment, which is the partial or total inability to hear.hearing aidshearing aidsThe types, characteristics and suppliers of hearing devices which amplify sound for the individual who is wearing it, with the aim of making speech more intelligible, and to correct impaired hearing.health care systemhealth care systemThe structure and function of health care services.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...psychoacousticspsychoacousticsThe characteristics of sound perception from music or speech and their psychological effects on the individual`s hearing.pathologypathologyThe components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.balance disordersbalance disordersThe causes that affect balance in humans, abnormalities and their symptoms such as vertigo, dizziness and disorientation.respond to changing situations in health carerespond to changing situations in health careCope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.educate on the prevention of illnesseducate on the prevention of illnessOffer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and healt...inform policy makers on health-related challengesinform policy makers on health-related challengesProvide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.undertake clinical auditundertake clinical auditUndertake internal clinical audit through the collection of statistical, financial and other data related to service delivery.counsel patients on improving hearingcounsel patients on improving hearingCounsel and instruct patients with hearing problems to help them improve their communication, guiding them to solutions like sign language or lip-reading.use e-health and mobile health technologiesuse e-health and mobile health technologiesUse mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.adjust cochlear implantsadjust cochlear implantsFit and tune cochlear implants providing rehabilitation to listening with implant amplification systems.empathise with the healthcare userempathise with the healthcare userUnderstand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence...instruct on the use of hearing aidsinstruct on the use of hearing aidsInstruct patients on how to use and maintain the prescribed hearing aids.monitor patients' progress related to treatmentmonitor patients' progress related to treatmentObserve and report on healthcare users' response to medical treatment, monitoring their progress or decay on a daily basis and modifying the treatment procedures whenever necessary.produce impressions for ear mouldsproduce impressions for ear mouldsProduce an impression of the ear for an ear mould, also adjusting the mould accordingly.manage healthcare users' datamanage healthcare users' dataKeep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, wr...evaluate the psychological impact of hearing problemsevaluate the psychological impact of hearing problemsEvaluate how hearing problems affect patients psychologically in their educational, professional or social environment.deal with emergency care situationsdeal with emergency care situationsAssess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.use of specialised instruments in otorhinolaryngologyuse of specialised instruments in otorhinolaryngologyCorrectly and efficiently use the appropriate instruments for otorhinolaryngologic procedures, such as laryngeal mirrors, the flexible laryngoscope, the nasal speculum, the otoscope with pneumotoscopy...communicate in healthcarecommunicate in healthcareCommunicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.advise on healthcare users' informed consentadvise on healthcare users' informed consentEnsure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.interpret diagnostic tests in otorhinolaryngologyinterpret diagnostic tests in otorhinolaryngologyInterpret diagnostic tests such as imaging studies of the soft tissue of the neck and sinuses, using chemical and haematological studies, conventional audiometry, impedance audiometry, and pathology r...comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.adapt hearing testsadapt hearing testsAdapt hearing tests to suit the age and ability of the patient.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...adhere to organisational guidelinesadhere to organisational guidelinesAdhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.conduct health related researchconduct health related researchConduct research in health related topics and communicate findings orally, through public presentations or by writing reports and other publications.work in a multicultural environment in health carework in a multicultural environment in health careInteract, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.promote inclusionpromote inclusionPromote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive envi...interact with healthcare usersinteract with healthcare usersCommunicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.provide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthprovide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthIdentify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...diagnose hearing impairementdiagnose hearing impairementMeasure hearing loss and balance disorders and determine their cause.apply organisational techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...develop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipDevelop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.apply context specific clinical competencesapply context specific clinical competencesApply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within ...refer healthcare usersrefer healthcare usersMake referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.adjust hearing aidsadjust hearing aidsProgram hearing aids using a computer, fitting and dispensing hearing aids, or administering cochlear implants, electronic devices used to improve a person`s hearing.accept own accountabilityaccept own accountabilityAccept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.use special hearing equipment for testsuse special hearing equipment for testsUse audiometers and computers to determine the degree of a patient`s hearing disorder and find other factors relating to the problem.clean patients' ear canalsclean patients' ear canalsClean patients` ear canals, avoiding damage to normal eardrum function.

Optional (11)

counselling methodscounselling methodsCounselling techniques used in different settings and with various groups and individuals, especially concerning methods of supervision and mediation in the counselling process.geriatricsgeriatricsGeriatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.disability typesdisability typesThe nature and types of disabilities affecting the human beings such as physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional or developmental and the specific needs and access requirements of disabled peop...paediatricspaediatricsPaediatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.speech techniquesspeech techniquesThe history and the characteristics of breathing, voice and speaking techniques.pedagogypedagogyThe discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.human psychological developmenthuman psychological developmentThe human psychological development across the lifespan, theories of personality development, cultural and environmental influences, human behavior, including developmental crises, disability, excepti...supervise audiology teamsupervise audiology teamOversee the work of audiology students and health care personnel, supervising them as required.use foreign languages for health-related researchuse foreign languages for health-related researchUse foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.use foreign languages in patient careuse foreign languages in patient careCommunicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.conduct research on hearing topicsconduct research on hearing topicsConduct and direct research on topics related to hearing, reporting findings to help in the development of new technology, procedures, or treatments.