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At the Hearing Institute of Ontario, your hearing health is important to us.
Contact our Mississauga or Oakville office for a FREE consultation with our knowledgeable and experienced audiologists, to discuss the best hearing solution for your hearing loss type.

Contact

For any questions or concerns call +1 888-664-2999 or fill out our form below:

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Our clinics are equipped with hospital grade testing equipment and real ear measurement systems to ensure the accurate diagnosis of your hearing loss and the most precise fitting of your hearing aids to suit your hearing needs. No other clinic in our area is better equipped to provide you with better hearing care.

In addition, some of our clinics offer our Hearing Experience showroom where you can drop in without an appointment to learn about the latest advances in hearing technology through interactive displays.

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Differences Between an Audiologist and a Hearing Instrument Dispenser

Audiologists and Hearing Instrument Specialists are both professionals trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat hearing and balance issues, but their roles, educational backgrounds, and scopes of practice differ. Here are some key differences:

Educational Background

Audiologist

  • Audiologists in Canada generally hold either a Master's degree or Doctorate (Au.D.) in Audiology.
  • These programs usually require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree for entry and consist of academic coursework and supervised clinical training.
  • Their education covers the entire scope of audiology, including acoustics, anatomy, physiology, psychoacoustics, and auditory rehabilitation among others. This prepares them for a comprehensive understanding of the auditory system.

Hearing Instrument Specialist

  • In Ontario, Hearing Instrument Specialists typically complete a two- or three-year diploma program accredited by the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities.
  • This program covers key topics such as hearing aid technology, basic anatomy, and physiology of the ear, as well as hands-on training, but it is not as comprehensive as the academic background of an Audiologist.
audiologist vs HID educational background
audiologist vs HID scope of practice

Scope of Practice

Audiologist

  • Can diagnose and treat a broad range of hearing and balance issues for all age groups.
  • Can administer a wide variety of hearing tests.
  • May work in a range of settings, including hospitals, private clinics, and educational settings, and may engage in research.
  • May also specialize in areas like pediatric audiology, geriatric audiology, vestibular issues, and auditory processing, among others.

Hearing Instrument Specialist

  • Primarily focuses on the fitting, adjustment, and maintenance of hearing aids.
  • Generally works with adults and may not be qualified to handle specialized cases, such as those involving children or complicated medical histories.
  • May work in retail settings, specialized hearing clinics, or alongside audiologists but generally do not work in hospital settings or perform research.

Regulatory Bodies

Audiologist

  • Audiologists are regulated by the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) in Ontario.

Hearing Instrument Specialist

  • Hearing Instrument Specialists are not governed by a regulatory college, but are required to retain membership in the Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners of Ontario
audiologist vs HID services provided

Services Provided

Audiologist

  • Audiologists can provide a comprehensive set of services ranging from prevention, to diagnosis, to rehabilitation of hearing and balance disorders, including prescribing, fitting, adjusting and maintaining hearing aids

Hearing Instrument Specialist

  • Hearing Instrument Specialists (HIS) have a smaller scope of practice and are unregulated. An HIS responsibility is limited to testing hearing for adults and recommending specific hearing aids for a client. A HIS is still required to get a hearing aid prescription from a physician or Audiologist

All client care at Hearing Institute of Ontario is provided by certified Audiologists who are registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists of Ontario

FREE HEARING TEST AND CONSULTATION

Book your no cost, no obligation hearing test today. Learn if you have a hearing loss and get expert advice from our certified audiologist about  how to improve your hearing.

Call us today at 1-888-664-2999 or use the green button below to schedule your free hearing test and get started on your journey to better hearing.

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*See our hearing test policies here

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Free Hearing Aid

Buy one hearing aid and get the second for free.

This offer applies to our most popular hearing aid models from Signia, Phonak and Widex. Call 1‑888‑664‑2999 today to book your no‑cost, no‑obligation consultation!

Book a no-cost, no-obligation consultation

Conditions: Offer expires May 31, 2023 and applies to the purchase of any Premium technology hearing aids from Signia, Widex and Phonak. Private sales only. Standard dispensing fee applies to both hearing aids.