How to Be Audiometric Equipment Technician - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 2, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Audiometric Equipment Technicians are responsible for maintaining and calibrating specialized medical equipment used to diagnose hearing impairments. These technicians must understand the principles of physics and acoustics, as well as have knowledge of electronic and electrical theory in order to properly operate, maintain, and troubleshoot audiometric equipment. The work of Audiometric Equipment Technicians is essential for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders, enabling physicians to provide the most effective care for their patients. Furthermore, their expertise is invaluable to the research and development of new hearing technologies and treatments.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or GED. While it is not required to become an audiometric equipment technician, having a high school education will provide the foundational knowledge necessary to understand the complexities of the job.
Enroll in a postsecondary program in audiometric technology, such as an associate's degree program. These programs typically cover topics like acoustics and anatomy, hearing-related disorders, audiological assessment and audio-logic instrumentation.
Participate in a supervised clinical internship. This will give you hands-on experience working with audiometric equipment and interacting with patients.
Obtain certification from a professional organization like the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Many employers prefer to hire audiometric equipment technicians who have been certified by a professional organization.
Look for job openings in the field. Many audiometric equipment technicians work in hospitals, clinics, private practice offices and other health care settings. You may also be able to find job openings through online job search engines.

Audiometric Equipment Technicians are responsible for ensuring that the equipment used to measure hearing levels is reliable and capable. This involves maintaining, testing, troubleshooting, and calibrating various types of audiometric equipment. To do this effectively, the technician must have a strong understanding of the principles of acoustics, electronics, and computer systems, as well as a thorough knowledge of the industry standards.

Proper maintenance of equipment can prevent hearing loss due to faulty equipment, while accurate calibration not only ensures reliability but also helps to protect patients from potential harm due to inaccurate readings. audiometric equipment technicians can help diagnose and treat hearing disorders through proper application of the measurements they take. Without the necessary skills and knowledge, audiometric equipment technicians cannot ensure that the equipment is reliable and capable.

You may want to check Audiology Technician, Noise Control Consultant, and Hearing Instrument Repairman for alternative.

Job Description

Perform periodic maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of audiometric equipment.
Calibrate and adjust audiometric equipment for accuracy.
Evaluate customer needs and recommend appropriate equipment.
Maintain detailed records of all equipment maintenance and repairs.
Train staff in the proper use of audiometric equipment.
Provide technical advice and assistance to customers regarding the use of audiometric equipment.
Assist in product research, development, and testing.
Develop and maintain inventory of spare parts and supplies.
Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations related to the use of audiometric equipment.
Maintain a clean, safe work environment.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of laws, regulations and procedures related to audiometric equipment
Ability to operate, maintain and troubleshoot audiometric equipment
Knowledge of safety and health standards related to audiometric equipment
Ability to read, understand and interpret technical instructions and diagrams
Ability to understand and apply principles of calibration and validation
Knowledge of computer hardware and software
Ability to perform basic math calculations
Excellent problem solving skills
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Ability to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and supervisors
Good organizational skills
Ability to lift and carry heavy equipment
Experience in customer service

As an Audiometric Equipment Technician, communication skills and attention to detail are essential. The ability to listen to and understand customer needs and provide accurate feedback is essential in order to ensure that the equipment is properly configured and operating correctly. In addition, staying up to date on both new technologies and industry standards is essential in order to provide the highest quality of service.

A thorough understanding of the principles of acoustics, electronics, and hearing physiology is also important in order to correctly diagnose and repair any issues that may arise. Without these skills, an Audiometric Equipment Technician would not be able to effectively troubleshoot any issues that may arise and repair the equipment in a timely manner.

Hearing Instrument Research Scientist, Vestibular Audiologist, and Hearing Instrument Research and Development Engineer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working with audiometric equipment?
What steps do you take to ensure accuracy and reliability when calibrating audiometric equipment?
How would you troubleshoot any technical issues that arise with audiometric equipment?
Are you able to interpret test results and provide recommendations on appropriate hearing protection devices?
What have you done to stay current on the latest software and hardware developments in the industry?
How do you handle customer service and support for clients with audiometric equipment?
What have you done in your past position to improve the efficiency of the audiometric testing process?
How would you work with a team to develop new protocols for audiometric testing?
Are you familiar with industry standards and regulations related to audiometric equipment?
Are you comfortable working independently with minimal supervision?

Common Tools in Industry

Audiometer. A device used to measure the hearing level of a person. (eg: Audiogram Audiometer)
Otoscope. An instrument used to examine a person's ear canal and eardrum. (eg: Welch Allyn Otoscope)
Tympanometer. A device used to measure ear pressure and identify possible middle ear problems. (eg: Interacoustics Tympanometer)
Audiometric Booth. An acoustically treated room designed to reduce background noise for audiometric testing. (eg: Aurical Audiometric Booth)
Hearing Aid Tester. A device used to test the operation and sound quality of hearing aids. (eg: Maico Hearing Aid Tester)
Speech Discrimination Meter. A device used to measure a subject's ability to distinguish between speech sounds. (eg: GSI Speech Discrimination Meter)
OAE/BERA Machine. A machine used to assess auditory responses to sound stimuli, such as otoacoustic emissions and brainstem evoked response audiometry. (eg: Interacoustics OAE/BERA Machine)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
International Hearing Society (IHS)
National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA)
American Academy of Audiology (AAA)
American Auditory Society (AAS)
Academy of Dispensing Audiologists (ADA)
American Board of Audiology (ABA)
American Tinnitus Association (ATA)
National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS)
American Society of Audiology Technicians and Technologists (ASATT)

We also have Industrial Audiologic Hygienist, Education Audiology Researcher, and Otologist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Audiometer. A device used to test a person's hearing. It produces tones at different frequencies and at varying loudness levels to determine the lowest level at which a person can hear a sound.
Audiogram. A graph that shows the results of an audiometric test. It plots the softest sound a person can hear at different frequencies across the audible spectrum.
Hearing Aid. A device worn in or around the ear to amplify sound for people with hearing loss.
Noise Dosimeter. A device used to measure noise exposure levels over a given period of time. It is used to assess occupational noise hazards.
Decibel Meter. An instrument used to measure sound pressure levels, usually expressed in decibels.
Tympanometer. An instrument used to measure the movement of the eardrum in response to sound.
Otoacoustic Emission Test. A test that measures the response of the inner ear to sound, usually used in the diagnosis of hearing loss.
Visual Reinforcement Audiometry. A test used to assess hearing in infants and young children. It uses visual reinforcement techniques to determine the softest sound level a person can hear.
Speech Audiometry. A test used to assess a person's ability to understand and repeat words and sentences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications are required to become an Audiometric Equipment Technician?

Audiometric Equipment Technicians typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, as well as specialized training in audiology and acoustics.

What skills are needed to be an Audiometric Equipment Technician?

To be an effective Audiometric Equipment Technician, you should have excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, manual dexterity, and knowledge of electronic testing equipment.

What are the responsibilities of an Audiometric Equipment Technician?

The primary responsibility of an Audiometric Equipment Technician is to ensure that audiometric testing equipment is in proper working order and to perform regular maintenance and calibration of the equipment. They also assist with audiology testing, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, and providing technical support.

Q:What types of hearing tests can an Audiometric Equipment Technician perform?

Audiometric Technicians are typically trained to run a variety of hearing tests, including pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry, and otoacoustic emissions.