Hearing instrument specialists are valued members of a hearing health-care team. They conduct comprehensive diagnostic hearing assessments, develop hearing health-care plans, dispense advanced digital assistive hearing devices and evaluate outcomes using evidence-based verification methods.
In the Hearing Instrument Specialist diploma program, you will develop the academic knowledge and hands-on, real-world experience required to become a valued hearing health professional. We combine online and in-person learning models, work-integrated learning, exceptional faculty and state of the art facilities to prepare students to skillfully work within their scope of practice and collaborate effectively as part of an interdisciplinary health-care team. Graduates of our program develop the confidence to adapt to the evolving needs of today’s patient and the emerging technologies for patient care and hearing devices.
This program develops holistic and critical thinkers, confident clinicians and compassionate communicators who will become outstanding professionals, effective practitioners and leading contributors in their field.
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
Our curriculum is designed to emphasize depth and breadth in your clinical experience. You will have the opportunity to practise your skills with two work placements. These will include a combination of on campus clinical and community opportunities. You will be offered a selection of approved placement sites which will allow you to experience clinical work, marketing and sales, or research and development. Some placements may be outside of the Greater Toronto area.
Experience a number of interesting and unique courses within the program such as:
Fundamental Principles of Hearing Devices
Learn the history of hearing aids, basic principles of electronics and circuitry, and how this relates to the circuitry of hearing devices and styles of hearing aids. Apply this knowledge to choose the appropriate hearing device for a patient profile, and how to compare the benefits and limitations of each hearing aid style.
Patient Psychology and Counselling Skills
Explore the individual, familial, and societal impacts of hearing loss on a psychological, emotional, and social level. Formulate the necessary skills to connect with patients on an empathetic, culturally sensitive, and professional level. Become adept at in-depth case history taking and having goal-oriented discussions to motivate patients in their hearing rehabilitation.
Disorders
Identify various pathologies within the peripheral and central auditory system. Collaborate confidently with other medical professionals if referral is warranted. Through this course, you will understand the pathologies behind different types of hearing loss such as hyperacusis, tinnitus, and noise induced hearing loss.
Open the Course drawer in Program Overview to reveal the program curriculum.
Hearing professional guiding a patient through the selection of hearing aid from a range of options.
An audiogram, an otoscope, a pair of demo hearing aids, and an artificial ear used to demonstrate how a hearing aid might look.
Hearing professional showing a patient a range of hearing aid options to best suit their hearing loss.
Our hearing instrument specialist lab boasts state-of-the-art facilities that provide students with a high-quality learning environment. Our well-equipped labs feature leading-edge equipment that allows students to gain practical experience in the field. Students engage in hands-on, simulated real world learning already within their first semester, and scaffolded throughout the program, which ensures that students receive the technical and employability skills they need to succeed in their future careers.
In the third semester of the program, the learning lab serves as our on-site Hearing Instrument Specialist Learning Clinic. Students, who are supervised by professionals within the hearing healthcare field, benefit from the opportunity to fully integrate theory and practice. With immediate, personalized, and constructive feedback within their clinical placements, students will gain comprehensive practical skills and graduate with the confidence needed to succeed in the field. From appointment booking to clinic organization and marketing to patient care, our clinic aims to provide students with a well-rounded experience that can help them thrive in their future careers. All of these features combined make our hearing instrument specialist combined lab and clinic space the perfect place to learn and grow as a professional.
The Hearing Instrument Specialist diploma program will prepare you well as the need for professionals in this field continues to rise in Canada.
Humber maintains strong partnerships within the community – and is the preferred choice by many agencies and facilities because of the Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness reputation.
You are collaborative, a problem solver and have a desire to help. You are driven and motivated and have strong interpersonal skills. You have the desire to use your experiences and knowledge to help others.
As the aging demographic in Canada continues to expand, there is a high demand for strongly skilled hearing instrument specialists. The job outlook for this profession in Ontario is positive.
Graduates are prepared for various employment opportunities including clinical, business, manufacturing, marketing and sales, research and development, technical support, plus entrepreneurial endeavours. This industry is dynamic in its movement and opportunities in patient-centered health care as it continues to evolve with the advancement of technology.
Hearing instrument specialists can work in a clinic or hospital setting testing for hearing loss and fitting hearing aids in adults. They can also manage the sales and business side of a company or choose to be an entrepreneur and open their own testing and dispensing clinic. A hearing instrument specialist can work for a hearing aid manufacturer as a sales marketing manager, specialist in product manufacturing, technical support, or research and development of new and upcoming hearing aid technology.
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Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
Call 416-675-3111 or email enquiry@humber.ca. If you have already applied, be sure to check your application status on myhumber.ca.
Domestic applicants can book a one-on-one advising appointment with an admissions representative.
Contact the International Centre for information about full-time programs (including the International Graduate School), how to apply and to follow up on your submitted application.
Speak to the Program Co-ordinator about the course curriculum, projects and career options.
Shelby Wright, program support officer
416.675.6622 ext. 3374
shelby.wright@humber.ca
Book a campus tour to take a closer look at what it's like to be a student at Humber.
Find out more about the student experience and everything that Humber has to offer Future Students.
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Find an employer willing to sponsor you as an apprentice.
Contact the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to register as an apprentice.
Work with your employer approximately one year before attending Humber.
If you’re in high school – grade 11 or 12 – you can earn co-op education credits through work placements in some skilled trades.
Applications to Humber are made through ontariocolleges.ca. Be sure to submit your application by the equal consideration deadline of February 1. You may apply after February 1, however, post-February 1 applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the availability of the space in the program.
To check program availability refer to the Campus/Availability listing on Humber’s program pages, search by availability, or ontariocolleges.ca.
To see where you are in the admissions process, visit the Admissions Road Map.
If you’re an international student, you can apply directly to Humber via our International Centre.
Get help narrowing down your program options or book a one-on-one pre-enrolment advising appointment with one of our Recruitment Officers.
Book a virtual appointment with a Student Mobility Advisor learn more about getting Transfer Credit(s) for previous post-secondary experience, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), and Pathways options.
Applicants must meet all the requirements below in order to meet minimum program eligibility. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee an offer of admission. Admission decisions will be available via MyHumber, or by email and mail. Admission decisions will not be released by phone.
Admission selection is based on the following three requirements:
To be eligible for admission, you must possess the following:
or
or
An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or other postsecondary school, and will be 19 or older as of the first day of classes. Humber will invite you for testing to demonstrate that you meet all listed course requirements.
An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or attended postsecondary studies, and will be 21 or older as of the first day of classes. Mature applicants for degree programs will be required to meet course requirements at the U/M level or equivalent.
An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility.
An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 65 per cent in the program. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.
An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility.
An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.
All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Humber’s English Language Proficiency Policy.
Canadian citizens or permanent residents with international education are required to provide a WES or ICAS evaluation.
Admission equivalencies for Humber depend on your country of study. Please enter your location or choose detect my location to see the requirements for your country below.
Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).
The pre-requisite requirements must be fulfilled before the commencement of your first placement. Participation in placements will not be allowed if not all the pre-requisite requirements are met. Due to the variety of venues and possible changes in legislation, the requirements are subject to change. Please use the following link to find detailed information about your program’s placement pre-requisite requirements.
Semester 1
Details and Specifications | Minimum Specifications | Recommended Specifications |
---|---|---|
Processor | Intel i5-8300H (PC) 4-core or higher 64bit (Mac) |
Intel i5-8300H (PC) 4-core or higher 64bit (Mac) |
OS | Windows 10 (PC) OS 10.15 (Mac) |
Windows 10 (PC) OS 10.15 (Mac) |
Memory | 8GB of RAM | 8GB of RAM |
Storage | 256GB | 256GB |
Monitor | Laptop | Laptop |
Other | Built-in microphone and webcam, Software: Adobe creative and Microsoft office Suite | Built-in microphone and webcam, Software: Adobe creative and Microsoft office Suite |
Speak to the Program Co-ordinator about the course curriculum, projects and career options.
Shelby Wright, program support officer
416.675.6622 ext. 3374
shelby.wright@humber.ca
The 2022-2023 fee for two semesters was:
Fees are subject to change.
Fees by Semester
Domestic Fees International FeesSemester 1 | 2022-23 Fees |
Tuition | $1,348.00 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
Total | $1,876.62 |
Semester 2 | 2022-23 Fees |
Tuition | $1,348.00 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
Total | $1,876.62 |
Semester 3 | 2022-23 Fees |
Tuition | $1,348.00 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
Total | $1,876.62 |
Semester 4 | 2022-23 Fees |
Tuition | $1,348.00 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
Total | $1,876.62 |
Semester 1 | 2022-23 Fees |
Tuition | $7,668.38 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
Total | $8,197.00 |
Semester 2 | 2022-23 Fees |
Tuition | $7,668.38 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
Total | $8,197.00 |
Semester 3 | 2022-23 Fees |
Tuition | $7,668.38 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
Total | $8,197.00 |
Semester 4 | 2022-23 Fees |
Tuition | $7,668.38 |
Compulsory Ancillary Fee | $340.39 |
Compulsory Student Union Fee | $64.00 |
IGNITE Health and Dental Insurance Fee | $104.23 |
Enhanced Student Experience Fee (Optional) | $20.00 |
Program Ancillary Fee | $0.00 |
Co-op/Placement | $0.00 |
Total | $8,197.00 |
*Plus Mandatory Health Insurance fee once per academic year: Fall start - $420 Winter start - $280 Summer start - $140
Understand the costs associated with coming to Humber and explore resources available from first year to your final year on Student Fees and Financial Resources.
Find out more about scholarships and bursaries that you may be eligible for, visit Student Scholarships. International students can visit International Student Scholarships.
Bursaries are available for Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs primarily based on financial need, visit Humber Bursaries.
Find out more information about external scholarships and bursaries, visit External Awards.
Humber offers a variety of bursaries and scholarships for Indigenous students, visit Indigenous Student Awards.
Humber Pathways include:
Humber Pathways include:
Additional information will be made available to students from their program before the beginning of the Winter term. Courses with in-person requirements will likely also have online components. The delivery mode of some courses is still being determined. Humber may need to change plans for in-person learning, subject to government and public health directives and/or additional health and safety considerations.
You can find a complete list of programs with downloads including program and course details at Current Student Resources
Students in programs marked as online/in-person will have a combination of those two types of delivery. Additional information will be made available to students from their program in the first week of June. Courses with in-person requirements will likely also have online components. The delivery mode of some courses is still being determined. Humber may need to change plans for in-person learning, subject to government and public health directives and/or additional health and safety considerations.