Public perception

Seems to me Canada needs to embrace this move of changing our profession's entry-level degree.  Why are we waiting?

The US has already changed the entry level degree for audiologists effective 2007, and Canada seems to still be in the 'consideration stage'.  And if I remember correctly, our reciprocity agreement with the states ends December 2007.  Now it is wonderful that we now have a reciprocity agreement with New Zealand for audiologists, but I think working towards keeping that agreement with the USA would also be beneficial for CASLPA members…and that won’t happen unless we change our practice requirements.

Occupational therapists are changing from a bachelor’s entry-level degree to a masters.(http://www.caot.ca/pdfs/FAQS_Masters_employers_gov.pdf) Pharmacy is changing to a doctorate degree.  Did you know Optometrists are doctors, but their credentials are the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree?  The Doctor of Optometry degree is an undergraduate degree as a completed bachelor degree is not required to apply to the program.  Audiology, as a profession, is definitely on par with Optometry, and surpasses it in regards to level of education, yet some of us seem to be having a problem with being ‘doctors’.

The 2004 CASLPA Au.D position statement stated that over 85% of audiologists feel that our education and training needs to be revisited.  If the programs are going to be revamped, then why not make them Au.D. programs and incorporate the educational recommendations?

One area that the programs need to consider is business courses that are specifically aimed at opening up dispensing practices, so that more graduating audiologists feel competent to open up a business.  We need more dispensing audiologists to offset the increasing number of hearing aid dispensers.  If it so happens that those audiologists opening their business have a Dr. in front of their name…All the better for the public’s perception of our profession!

 

 

Edited by cmrt2005 - 05 Sep 2007 at 5:51 pm

Funny you mention business courses in our programs.  I recall many moons ago when I did my graduate degree in audiology that the overall feeling of my the classmates was that working in a purely dispensing clinic, seemed less professional or less like a real audiologist then when you were working in a hospital. 

Correct me if I'm wrong but the goal is to help those with hearing loss.  Identify the problem and (re)habilitate... i.e., fit with hearing aids as appropriate.

Conversing with audiologists over the years, revealed the general belief that we are the one's that should be entrusted with the care and feeding of the auditory system.  I've heard some say they wish there weren't HIS folk about... as it should be audiologists fitting hearing aids.  Well I would have to say this is a great idea.  But then we need to prepare audiologists for opening a dispensing clinic (dare I say business) upon graduating.

HIS(ers) are created to fit hearing aids.  Open a business and fit hearing aids.  This is not a minor role in hearing health care and certainly not one that should be left to them. 

The role of dispensing audiologists are important and more are needed if we wish to change the landscape of hearing healthcare.

The doctorate will, I believe, help audiologists in providing hearing healthcare by improving their education level, and improving the public perception of them as professionals.  This should help us define, for the public, the difference between a doctor of audiology, who happens to dispense, and a hearing instrument dispenser.                          






Edited by Steven - 22 Sep 2007 at 6:48 pm

Originally posted by Mr.Dr.AuD. Recently, AHIP complained to the College of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPO) in Ontario about a web site in the USA that lists all the Au.D. graduates belonging to their organization. The website is called the Audiology Foundation of America (AFA). AHIP complains that on the AFA site, Au.D. members practicing in the Province of Ontario are using the title Doctor when in fact they cannot use that title since it is restricted by the RHPA. Consequently, every member with an Ontario address was sent a letter by the College warning them not to use the title Dr. I should point out that the website automatically generates the title Dr. for each member and that so far individual members have no way of removing that title. Does anyone think that Ontario has jurisdiction over a US based website?? Is this also not a violation of the Canadian Charter of rights because an individual that has earned the title Doctor from an accredited university should be allowed to use it?

I think this is odd.... AHIP is obviously trying very hard to cloud an issue... why would anyone in AHIP care what is on a website in the United States of America.  Why does CASLPO think they can tell members in Canada that they cannot use the title outside of Canada?  Not to mention decide what content an American website displays.

I actually find it embarrassing that CASLPO, & CASLPA have not felt it necessary to advocate for audiologists in Ontario for the right to use the title Dr. when a doctorate degree in audiology is earned by an accredited and recognized program.


Audiologists are educated... dispensers are trained.



Edited by Steven - 10 Dec 2007 at 5:04 pm

Unfortunately, we still do not have any specific timelines for when the first AuD will be offered in Canada but it does seem to be coming.  The Université de Montréal had done a lot work towards offering a program but due to some obstacles will not be proceeding at this time.  The University of Western Ontario may be the closest to offering a program however all Canadian universities which currently offer the master's in audiology are in some stage of exploration.  Sorry I can't be more specific!