The Hearing Instrument Specialist (S117) three-year advanced diploma program will teach you the clinical, technical and people skills you need to work as part of an interprofessional hearing health care team.
Hearing aids have evolved dramatically in recent years. Now smaller and more sophisticated in terms of capability, high-end devices leverage the latest technology and provide a superior hearing experience. If you like to work with technology and people, this is an exciting time to work as a hearing instrument specialist.
As hearing is a vital communication tool that helps us interact with others and our environment, hearing instrument specialists play an important role in helping deliver solutions to those diagnosed with hearing loss.
While hearing loss is not exclusive to older adults, it does often occur with age. With Canada's aging population, 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.
In 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 test and assess hearing and learn how to select and fit hearing aids.
You will also develop the soft skills, or people skills, needed to work with a range of clients with varying degrees of hearing loss. Skills like active listening, empathy and effective communication will help you learn how to connect with your clients and better understand their unique needs to provide exceptional client-based care.
You'll also be encouraged to develop an entrepreneurial mindset through additional courses that address key contemporary topics, including:
- Clinic management
- Health promotion
- Counselling
Program Learning Outcomes
The Graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- 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.
- Obtain an accurate ear mould impression based on an otoscopic examination.
- Advocate and effectively communicate to a diverse audience the psycho-social implications of hearing loss.
- Design a hearing health-care plan incorporating health promotion, rehabilitation and appropriate referrals based on comprehensive client history, observation and counselling.
- Verify the benefits of the recommended devices, utilizing appropriate technology.
- Fit and adjust the hearing devices using available technology and based on client observation, acoustical needs and counselling.
- Teach the use and maintenance of hearing aids and/or assistive listening devices to clients and others.
- Maintain, repair and modify assistive hearing devices for optimal performance.
- Recommend appropriate hearing devices based on a comparison of manufacturers’ specifications and features and compatibility with other assistive listening devices.
- Treat, counsel and communicate effectively with all clients, utilizing knowledge of the aging process as required.
- Perform all roles and responsibilities as a hearing instrument specialist in accordance with accepted professional, ethical and legislative standards of the health care system.
- 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.
- Research and evaluate current community and government resources, new technologies and medical advances available for the benefit of the client.
- Participate collaboratively as an integral member of the interprofessional health-care team.
George Brown College - Waterfront Campus, Canada
