There are three levels of hearing health care providers: an Otolaryngologist (ENT physician), an Audiologist, and a Hearing Instrument Practitioner.

An Otolaryngologist – also referred to as an Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist (ENT) – is a medical surgeon. Otolaryngologists diagnose and medically treat diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. They typically earn a four-year undergraduate university degree followed by an additional four-year medical degree with a four-to-five year specialized residency program.  ENTs are registered under the College of Physicians and Surgeons. ENTs require that you be referred by your family doctor.

A Registered Audiologist is a hearing healthcare professional who is university trained and has earned a minimum of a Master’s degree or higher level of education that specializes in hearing-related communication disorders, physiology of speech and hearing, hearing loss, hearing conservation, hearing aids, assistive listening devices, aural rehabilitation, and treatment of hearing loss for all ages. They typically earn a four-year undergraduate university degree followed by an additional two or three-year Master’s (graduate) degree. This may be followed by a doctorate level degree (a Ph.D. for those pursuing university or research positions or an Au.D., which is a clinical professional doctorate degree).

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A Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioner (RHIP) is a hearing healthcare professional who typically earns a two-year community college diploma in hearing testing, hearing aids and assistive listening devices. HIPs are generally restricted to serving adults.