Audiometrist

Overview
An audiometrist (Australia) has different qualifications than an audiologist. In Australia, an audiometrist usually has a TAFE qualification and needs to be accredited with a professional body to provide services to eligible pensioners and war veterans via the Office of Hearing Services program. An audiometrist usually performs hearing tests and prescribes hearing aids, as well as other hearing aid related tasks. The majority of Audiometrists also provide extensive rehabilitation services for hearing aid users. In country areas it is quite common for Audiometrists to provide diagnostic services as well.

Audiometrists have a long history of hearing care in Australia. They were the first to introduce hearing aids to Australia. To become an Audiometrist you must complete an Certificate of Audiometry, and then have 2 years supervision prior to gaining a provider number. Provider numbers are provided by the Office of Hearing Services, a Commonwealth Government department. The vast majority of Audiometrists in Australia are members of the Australian College of Audiology (ACAud). ACAud provides continuing education opportunities for its members, both Audiometrist and Audiologist. It also provides for registration of new entrants into the OHS scheme. ACAud is leading the way in Australia in regard to developing a continuing education pathway for Audiometrists.

Analogues
In the United States, the term audiometrist is not used, and has no true counterpart.Rather, in the U.S. there exists the job of hearing instrument specialist or hearing aid dispenser. These persons must have state licensure in states that require it (and some obtain national certification), but need no university-level education. Hearing instrument specialists do not perform diagnostic evaluations of the hearing or balance systems as audiologists do, and are often restricted from working with children or persons with medical involvements.