Audiometrist

Accurate hearing helps people communicate with one another. The ability to hear car horns, sirens, and a screaming spouse also keeps people safe. That’s why it’s only proper that every person’s sense of hearing is kept in tip-top shape.

That’s where the Audiometrist comes in. Audiometrists are the first line of defense against hearing problems, as they conduct a variety of hearing tests and refer those who don’t pass to Audiologists for more intensive help.

If you’re an Audiometrist, you likely work for a company that contracts your services to local school districts. Scheduling visits is your responsibility, and you call schools in advance to set up dates and times for screenings. During these calls, you remind the School Nurse or Principal that you need a quiet location for your tests. Sometimes, you also perform hearing tests in your own office.

When a patient is ready for testing, you explain what you’ll do and how the test will work. People must communicate with you during the test, so you make it a point to appear friendly and kind. Before each test, you look in the patient’s ears to make sure no infections, wax, or other problems are interfering with hearing.

In some tests, you slip headphones on the patient and play a series of tones. The patient holds up a hand when the tone is heard, and you mark down that response. Sometimes, you whisper words into the headphones and ask the patient to repeat your words. Keeping a blank face is important so your patients don’t cheat by reading your expressions.

At the end of the test, you tell your patient what you’ve found. Patients with some amount of hearing loss often must seek additional help, and you provide names and numbers of Audiologists for their use.