Overview
Other technical workers in therapy and assessment perform various technical therapy and assessment functions. Some may assist professionals such as audiologists, speech-language pathologists, ophthalmologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. They are employed in hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, community health centres, educational institutions, hearing aid retail stores, in the private practices of the professionals they assist, or they may be self-employed.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Hearing instrument practitioners
Examine adult clients to assess hearing loss using diagnostic evaluation and electro acoustic testing
Recommend and dispense or sell appropriate type of hearing instrument
Take earmold impressions for use in the manufacture of hearing devices
Fit, adjust and make minor modifications to hearing instruments
Educate clients in appropriate use, care and maintenance of hearing instruments
Communicate with audiologist or other health care professionals regarding patients' condition
Perform follow-up examinations and readjustments.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$37,541
$52,140
$81,276
Job openings
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Strong job outlook
British Columbia
470expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Hearing instrument practitioners require completion of a two or three-year college diploma in a hearing instrument specialist program, and a period of supervised training.
Licensure with a regulatory body is required for hearing instrument practitioners in all provinces except in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Ontario. Ontario requires membership with the Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners of Ontario (AHIP). Hearing instrument practitioners can prescribe and dispense hearing instruments except in Ontario where dispensing is dependent on a prescription from a physician or audiologist.
Communicative disorders assistants and speech-language pathology assistants require completion of a three- to four-year college program.
Additional information
In most provinces occupational therapy assistants (OTA) and physiotherapy assistants (PTA) receive training through a single OTA/PTA program in community colleges.
In Quebec, hearing instruments practitioners provide services to adults and children.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certification to practice as Hearing instrument practitioners in B.C.
- Registration with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC - Hearing Instrument Practitioners
Registration with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC - Hearing Instrument Practitioners
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To work as a hearing instrument practitioner in B.C., you must be registered with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC. Eligibility is achieved by meeting education, examination, and registration requirements.
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.