Is sales a big part of Audiology?

[AUDwannaBE]

I know i asked a question similar to this awhile back but I didn't really get an answer. After speaking with a few Audiologist alot of them have indicated that the job can be stressful because HA sales is a big part of their job and some places have quotas for their employees. I HATE sales, my current job is sales and i am so stressed, I was hoping Audiology was more medically based and I would be focused more on helping the patient with their hearing impairment. Can anyone provide insight on this? Are there a lot of jobs in hospitals?When I do job searches alot of the jobs seem to be for hearing aid companies such as hearUSA and AHAA or Beltone. The job titles even say sometimes Audiologist/ Hearing Instrument Specialist as if the sole purpose of the job revolves around hearing aids. What i'm seeing in job descriptions versus what I'm reading in my text books and hearing from real AuD's are all different things!! I'd really love to hear from audiologist on the forum if there are any about this.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Cochlear]

I think the only places you might find pressure to push HA are at the corporate megastores that make the majority of their money off of...pushing HA. They don't have a vestibular focus, tinnitus treatment, cochlear implanting etc. What type of places did the AuDs you spoke with work?

I've noticed optometry is one profession that seems to be struggling with independents vs. the LensCrafters/Walmart type places and it's absolutely bringing down their field. We can't let this happen to us. Putting a slash (/) between an audiologist and a HIS in a job posting is like putting out an ad looking for a physician/nurse, both serve important purposes but should never be confused. I'd seriously just ignore those HearUSA, Beltone ads--you'll become an underpaid HA pushing shill.

I'll let the actual practicing AuDs chime in now (hopefully they will), but the above has just been my experience through research and talking with various professionals over the past year.

 

[DrumHead]

Like I said in the other thread, it's not ALL about selling. You CAN sell if you want that to be your focus, but you don't HAVE to sell to be an audiologist. Cochlear sited some other areas you could go into. Rest assured that you'll have plenty of opportunities without having to sell hearing aids. HIS can only sell HAs, Au.D.s can do that and more. Remember, you have control of your career.

 

[AUDwannaBE]

Thank you both VERY much, that really does make me feel better! I've been stressing about going to grad school and I haven't even started yet . I think i still have cold feet, hopefully when I shadow the 4 audiologist this month they will warm up a bit more .

 

[Cochlear]

Thank you both VERY much, that really does make me feel better! I've been stressing about going to grad school and I haven't even started yet . I think i still have cold feet, hopefully when I shadow the 4 audiologist this month they will warm up a bit more .

No problem, let us know how the shadowing experience works out for you this month. I think a lot of people on this board would be interested to hear about it.