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Hearing Instrument Specialist, Hearing Instrument Practitioner
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Duties for hearing aid practitioners vary, but in general, they:
Most hearing aid practitioners work in independently owned clinics or nationwide corporations. They may need to travel. Hours of work vary and may include evenings and weekends.
It can be stressful to work with clients who have unrealistic expectations.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in analyzing data to fit and adjust hearing aids
Interest in speaking with patients to ensure comfort and fit of hearing aids during follow-up examinations and readjustments
Interest in operating equipment to take ear impressions for use in the manufacture of audio prostheses; may test patients' hearing
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Hearing aid practitioners need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 168 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Mar 28, 2023 and Nov 21, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Clean and maintain equipment | 126 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Carry out treatment programs, under the direction of physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists, to rehabilitate patients with various injuries or disabilities | 117 |
| Attention to detail | 90 |
| Physiotherapy | 87 |
| Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years | 83 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 82 |
| Tasks: Document patient rehabilitation progress | 80 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 77 |
| Tasks: Schedule and confirm appointments | 72 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 64 |
The minimum educational requirement for hearing aid practitioners is a 2-year diploma.
To become registered as a hearing aid practitioner, you must complete further requirements. See Certification Requirements for details.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Outside of Alberta, the following schools offer programs specifically related to working as a hearing aid practitioner:
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Hearing aid practitioners examine and evaluate adult human hearing as it relates to hearing acuity, sensitivity, and communication. They select and fit appropriate hearing instruments.
Under Alberta’s Health Professions Act [pdf], Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation [pdf], and Hearing Aid Practitioners Profession Regulation [pdf], registration with the College of Hearing Aid Practitioners of Alberta (CHAPA) is mandatory. Only registered members who are authorized by CHAPA may perform restricted activities specified in the Regulations. This includes those who:
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Hearing Aid Practitioner.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Most hearing aid practitioners work in private clinics, offices, or companies. These are most often located in urban areas. Experienced practitioners may start their own businesses. Many are self-employed. Some hearing aid practitioners move into related fields, such as sales representative with a company that makes hearing aids.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
2016 NOC: 3237
82.5% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Hearing aid practitioners may:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $43.71 | $24.13 | $19.92 |
| Overall | $17.00 | $47.94 | $27.61 | $23.36 |
| Top | $17.00 | $49.35 | $29.26 | $24.95 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $46,713 |
|---|---|
| Educational Services | $40,044 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $46,793 |
Association of Hearing Aid Practitioners of Alberta (AHAPA website: ahapa.ca
College of Hearing Aid Practitioners of Alberta (CHAPA) website: chapa.ca
International Hearing Society (IHS) website: www.ihsinfo.org
National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS) website: www.nbc-his.com
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
