Audiologist

Hearing Care is a recognized training occupation in Germany and Austria. Audiologist provide the professional, custom fitting of hearing aids safe as well as their subsequent maintenance for customers.

Vocational

The main task of the hearing aid dispenser is determine the type and degree of hearing impairment based on the medical diagnosis, seek out the needs of the hearing impaired in accordance with suitable components for the hearing aid and assemble the items to the finished hearing. Furthermore, include advising on hearing protection and special accessories for the hearing impaired on the tasks.

After the hearing status of the individual customers in a first fitting are different hearing aids available for comparison, since in addition to the optimal acoustic transmission and the subjective acceptance plays a big role in the success of the hearing aid fitting. The field includes not only the initial treatment and the accompanying adjustment with repeated checks and adjustments of hearing aid functions in the course of use.

Education and training

Germany

Hearing Care is a by the Crafts Code ( HwO ) recognized profession. The dual training with a three-year period occurs at hearing aid manufacturers and stores specialized and vocational schools.

The central training center of the German hearing care is the Academy of hearing aid technology in Lübeck. She is responsible for the inter-company training, the master training and for professional continuous education and training. For independent practice of the profession requires a "big qualification " ( master craftsman ).

In Germany there are about 3,800 hearing care professional specialty stores with about 9,000 employees and approximately 1,650 students. Approximately 1,000 hearing care professional Master training completed for pediatric acoustician. " Pediatric acoustician " is not a protected term. Only if appropriate equipment associated ( child-oriented work material) and adequate experience of hearing impaired children in order, one can assume that a high- quality child care can be ensured.

Austria

As a requirement for teaching you need a completed education at a secondary school and / or a vocational school. In Austria, the apprentice is after his three -year dual education with the final apprenticeship examination. The successful final apprenticeship examination in Austria also allows admission to a vocational diploma ( Berufsreifeprüfung ) and hence to further higher qualifications, eg at colleges.

The admission requirements for the independent professional practice of the craft Hörgeräteakustik are set forth in the Hearing Healthcare Regulation. According to the addition of two years of relevant professional work experience and master's examination or equivalent qualifications must be demonstrated.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, the training includes three years with a hearing aid dealer. After completing the training and passing the professional exam, candidates receive the Federal Professional Certificate for hearing care professionals. These financial statements are authorized for guiding a branch operation or a separate company and settlement with the insurance companies. In order to settle accounts with the SUVA, training are required per year 4 days.

The training is no Apprenticeships but belongs to the higher vocational education.

Associations in Germany

• Promotion of Good hearing, organized about 1700 farms (11/ 2005)
• Federal Guild of Hearing Care
• Association of German hearing care eV, about 120 affiliated companies (as of 5/2006 )
• European Union, the audiologist eV