Hearing Instrument Specialist
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:
| Starting | $21.11 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $24.87 |
| Top | $27.65 |
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
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 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.
Duties vary but, in general, hearing aid practitioners:
Most hearing aid practitioners work in privately owned clinics, offices or retail companies. They may need to travel. Hours of work vary and may include evenings and weekends.
It can be stressful to work with clients whose expectations are not realistic.
Hearing aid practitioners need to possess:
They should enjoy:
Hearing aid practitioners may learn on the job (under the supervision of a qualified practitioner) and take a related education program at the same time. Or they can take the education program and then look for work. A number of schools in Canada offer education programming related to the hearing aid and hearing instrument fields.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Hearing aid practitioners examine and evaluate adult human hearing as it relates to hearing acuity, sensitivity and communication, and select and fit appropriate hearing instruments.
Under Alberta's Health Professions Act and Hearing Aid Practitioners Profession Regulation, registration with the College of Hearing Aid Practitioners of Alberta (CHAPA) is mandatory if you meet identified competency requirements and provide professional services directly to the public, teach the practice of the profession to members or students of the profession, or supervise registered members who provide services to the public. Registered members who are authorized by the College may perform restricted activities specified in the Regulation. Only registered members may call themselves Hearing Aid Practitioners.
Applicants for registration as a Hearing Aid Practitioner must successfully complete an approved program of studies. Applicants who have been out of practice for a period of time also may have to demonstrate that they are currently competent to practice. For official, detailed information about registration requirements, visit the CHAPA website or contact CHAPA.
Hearing aid practitioners who are registered and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if registered practitioners in the two jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see "What if I am already certified in another province or territory?" and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).
To find more information on the certification process for internationally educated hearing aid practitioners, see Hearing Aid Practitioner Registration Process on the AlbertaCanada.com website.
College of Hearing Aid Practitioners of Alberta
CHAPA Registrar
2308 62 St Camrose, AB T4V 5J8
Toll-free phone number: 1-866-990-4327
Website: www.chapa.ca
Most hearing aid practitioners work in private clinics, offices or companies in cities. Many are self-employed.
Experienced hearing aid practitioners may start their own businesses. Or they might move into a related field. For example, they might become a sales rep with a company that makes hearing aids.
Hearing aid practitioners are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 3237: Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment. In Alberta, 87% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the D235: Other Technical Occupations in Therapy and Assessment occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.1% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 112 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Hearing aid practitioners may:
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $13.00 | $36.81 | $21.11 | $19.92 |
| Overall | $19.25 | $42.06 | $24.87 | $22.27 |
| Top | $20.15 | $47.30 | $27.65 | $26.00 |
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* 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.
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.
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $49,886 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $46,457 |
| Educational Services | $22,206 |
College of Hearing Aid Practitioners of Alberta website: www.chapa.ca
National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences website: www.nbc-his.com
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Mar 31, 2018. 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.