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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:
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.
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:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2011 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 24 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 24, 2021 and Sep 30, 2022.
Review these skills to learn:
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 13 |
|---|---|
| Personal Suitability: Organized | 13 |
| Personal Suitability: Client focus | 12 |
| Clean and maintain equipment | 11 |
| Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills | 11 |
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 11 |
| Personal Suitability: Flexibility | 11 |
| Carry out treatment programs, under the direction of physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists, to rehabilitate patients with various injuries or disabilities | 9 |
| Schedule and confirm appointments | 8 |
| Take patients' general medical and ophthalmic history | 8 |
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 and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
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.
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.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Hearing Aid Practitioner.
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 3237: Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.4% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 75 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
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 example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
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
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $46,793 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $46,713 |
| Educational Services | $40,044 |
College of Hearing Aid Practitioners of Alberta website: www.chapa.ca
National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences website: www.nbc-his.com
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
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.