What Professionals Might I See For My Hearing?
At Birdsong Audiology, you will see an audiologist for your hearing care. At other clinics, you might see either an audiologist or a hearing instrument specialist. An audiologist is the most highly-trained person that you can see for your hearing care.
Audiologists
Minimum 6 years of university level education (4 year undergraduate degree and minimum 2 year graduate degree)
Regulated by the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario to ensure that its members are providing safe, quality, ethical care to patients
Required to follow professional standards as mandated by CASLPO
Able to provide hearing assessment and treatment for all ages
Recommend medical treatment when appropriate
Under the Regulated Health Professions Act, prescribing a hearing aid is a controlled act and an audiologist is authorized to prescribe hearing aids in Ontario
Assistive Devices Program authorizers for children and adults for hearing aids
Assistive Devices Program authorizers for children and adults for FM systems
Hearing Instrument Specialists
Approximately 2 years of college education
Members of an association that represents its members interests, the Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners of Ontario
No regulatory body governing how they practice
Able to provide hearing assessment and treatment to adults
Not authorized to prescribe a hearing aid in Ontario, therefore require a hearing aid prescription from your family physician