Advanced Diploma in Hearing Instrument Specialist

George Brown College

Advanced Diploma in Hearing Instrument Specialist

  • Country Canada
  • Course Duration 3 year
  • Course Type Full Time
  • Courses Campus On Campus
  • Language Specification IELTS
  • Program Level Diploma
  • Education Required 3-Year Undergraduate Advanced Diploma
  • Admission intake SEP
  • Minimum GPA 50
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Application Charges

Application Fee Tution Fee
CAD 110 CAD 15,190

Application Date

Application Start Date Application Closing Date
2022-12-05
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Program Description

George Brown College's Hearing Instrument Specialist three-year advanced diploma program will teach you the clinical and people skills you need to work in this field. If you are looking for a career that combines the latest technology and working with people in a health-care environment, consider applying to this program. While hearing loss is not exclusive to the elderly, it does often occur as we age. With Canada's population rapidly growing older, the demand for highly qualified hearing instrument specialists who can provide a client-centred approach to better hearing health care will continue to increase in the coming years. If you are looking for an in-demand career that combines technology, with health care and people, consider this program. You'll study the hearing instrument sciences to build a strong foundation in the theory and skills related to:
  • acoustics
  • audiometric testing
  • selection and fitting of hearing aids
  • hearing aid technology
You will develop clinical skills to not only test hearing, but to select and fit hearing aids. You will also develop the soft skills you will need to work with a variety of clients, all of whom experiencing some form of hearing loss. Skills like active listening, empathy and effective communication to help you connect with your clients and better understand their unique needs. You'll also be encouraged to develop an entrepreneurial mindset through additional courses that address  key contemporary topics, including:
  • clinic management
  • health promotion
  • counselling
Earn this Advanced Diploma in Two Years With an Existing CredentialApplicants who have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree or a diploma in a Health Sciences, Social Sciences, or a related field, with an overall average of B minus (or 2.7 GPA or 70 per cent) may be considered for advanced standing into semester 3 of the program.

Your Field Education Options

Field placement is a key component of this Hearing Instrument Specialist program as it will allow you to apply what you've learned in the classroom to the work you will do with real patients.This program offers both an internal and an external placement during semester 6.Initially, you will conduct a 21-hour placement on-site at our state-of-the-art WAVE Hearing Clinic (Hearing Clinic IV). During this time you will practise treating members of the public, including George Brown students, by performing the day-to-day tasks of a hearing instrument specialist (e.g., testing hearing, fitting hearing aids and providing client counselling).In the second half of the final semester, you will work off-site with a community partner for seven weeks (equivalent to 245 clinic hours) and will once again perform the day-to-day tasks of a hearing instrument specialist.PLEASE NOTE: As a student in this program, you will be responsible for finding your own field experience opportunities. You will be supported in this process by program faculty.External field education generally occurs in the broader Greater Toronto Area, so travel will be required. You should be aware that field education opportunities may be located anywhere within the province, especially if suitable opportunities cannot be found in Toronto and surrounding areas. You will be responsible for travel and other associated costs related to external field education opportunities.Interested in this program but need more competitive marks? Consider enrolling in the Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees (A108) program. This program will help you develop new and strengthen existing skills in math, biology, chemistry, physics and communication.PLEASE NOTE: While successful graduates of the (A108) program will be eligible to apply to this advanced diploma, it does not guarantee entry into this program.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  1. Administer a battery of hearing tests and analyze the results of these tests based on a thorough knowledge of functional anatomy and within the current scope of practice of a hearing instrument specialist.
  2. Obtain an accurate ear mould impression based on an otoscopic examination.
  3. Advocate and effectively communicate to a diverse audience the psycho-social implications of hearing loss.
  4. Design a hearing health-care plan incorporating health promotion, rehabilitation and appropriate referrals based on comprehensive client history, observation and counselling.
  5. Verify the benefits of the recommended devices, utilizing appropriate technology.
  6. Fit and adjust the hearing devices using available technology and based on client observation, acoustical needs and counselling.
  7. Teach the use and maintenance of hearing aids and/or assistive listening devices to clients and others.
  8. Maintain, repair and modify assistive hearing devices for optimal performance.
  9. Recommend appropriate hearing devices based on a comparison of manufacturers’ specifications and features and compatibility with other assistive listening devices.
  10. Treat, counsel and communicate effectively with all clients, utilizing knowledge of the aging process as required.
  11. Perform all roles and responsibilities as a hearing instrument specialist in accordance with accepted professional, ethical and legislative standards of the health care system.
  12. Determine effective management practices for the operations of a hearing aid dispensary, including but not limited to accounting, health and safety practices, marketing, and business and resource planning.
  13. Research and evaluate current community and government resources, new technologies and medical advances available for the benefit of the client.
  14. Participate collaboratively as an integral member of the interprofessional health-care team.

Extra Notes


* NOTE : The Tuition Fee is subject to change Semester wise, as such for exact Tuition Fee kindly see the Website of the respective University.
* NOTE : Pathways : Students who want to pursue a Graduate Degree through a particular University but are unable to meet the university requirements for the GPA, GRE/GMAT or English Language scores, have to take up an additional academic and language support i.e. pathways in order to ensure the admit and study at the desired University.