Hearing Instrument Practitioner (Diploma)
Domestic Applications
Fall 2025: Apply Now!
INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS
Please visit the International Application Deadline page to find out when applications may be available.
Overview
The Hearing Instrument Practitioner Diploma gives you the skills and training to help improve the quality of life for people with hearing loss. The only program of its kind in B.C., this two-year hearing instrument specialist program teaches you how to dispense and program hearing aids, test people’s hearing and counsel patients on managing ongoing hearing loss.
A practical education
As a part of your education, you’ll get hands-on hearing aid technician training at three supervised practicums. During these practicums, you’ll work with actual patients, providing them with hearing evaluations and counselling on test results. Once you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply for the Hearing Instrument Practitioner (HIP) Internship. This internship, done through the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia (CSHBC), is a necessary step to becoming a Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioner (RHIP) in B.C.
Employment outlook
Overall, 60% of Canadians aged 19 to 79 are living with some form of hearing loss, which means the demand for hearing aid practitioners is expected to grow rapidly. You’ll be joining a growing industry, with many of our students finding employment even before they graduate.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
- General College Admission Requirements
- High School Graduation (successful completion of two three-credit university transfer courses may be substituted for high school graduation)
- Foundations of Math 11, Pre-Calculus 11 or Pre-calculus 12 with a minimum of C (or equivalent)
- Signed documentation of a Hearing Clinic tour or signed attendance at a Douglas College Information Session for the Hearing Instrument Practitioner Program
- Criminal Record Check (CRC) - This program requires students to train in an environment that requires individuals to provide proof of a satisfactorily completed, current CRC for the protection of the clients. To meet this requirement, prospective students must submit to a current CRC as a condition of entry to the program. All costs related to the completion of this search are the responsibility of the individual student. The Registrar's Office will provide instructions on obtaining a CRC after an offer of admission is made
- Applicants may be required to attend a personal interview that will be used for the purposes of providing information and academic counseling
Cost
Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more.
For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts.
Program Requirements
Graduation Requirements For Students Completing By Summer 2023:
- Successful completion of 60 credits
- 25% (15 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
- Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: seven (7) years
Graduation Requirements For Students Completing After Summer 2023:
- Successful completion of 60 credits
- 50% (30 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
- Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: seven (7) years
- Graduate in Good Academic Standing (Cumulative GPA of 1.50 - See Academic Performance Policy)
Course Requirements:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|
Workplace Communications |
3.00 |
|
|
Hearing Aids and Bioacoustics I |
2.00 |
|
|
Anatomy and Physiology of the Ear |
3.00 |
|
|
Introduction to Hearing Aids |
3.00 |
|
|
Introduction to Hearing Testing and Clinical Practices |
4.00 |
|
|
Hearing Disorders |
3.00 |
|
|
Introduction to Hearing Aid Fitting, Analysis and Verification |
4.00 |
|
|
Introduction to Audiometry |
4.00 |
|
|
Clinical Practicum Introduction |
4.00 |
|
|
Hearing Aids and Bioacoustics II |
2.00 |
|
|
Hearing Instrument Practitioner Regulation |
2.00 |
|
|
Advanced Fitting and Clinical Practices |
3.00 |
|
|
Audiometry II |
4.00 |
|
|
Hearing Impaired Patient Interaction |
2.00 |
|
|
Peripherals and Assistive listening Devices |
3.00 |
|
|
Clinical Practicum II |
4.00 |
|
|
Audiometry III |
4.00 |
|
|
Clinical Practicum III |
6.00 |
|
|
Total Credits |
|
60.00 |
Program Guidelines
Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Testimonials
Career Pathways
Career opportunities include:
- Assistive Listening Device Technician
- Audiologist & hearing Instrument Practitioners
- Audiometric Aide/Technician
- Audiometric Technician - public health
- Audiometric Technician
- Audiometrist and Audiometrist Aide
- Contact Centre Agent
- Customer Care Representative
- Customer Service Supervisor
- Health Promotion Facilitator/Coordinator
- Hearing Aid Assessment Technician