Program

Hearing Aid Sciences (Diploma)


Domestic applications

Fall 2025: Apply Now!

On Education Planner BC select the updated program name "Hearing Aid Sciences Diploma"


International applications

Please visit the International Application Deadline page to find out when applications may be available.

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Hearing Instrument Practitioner
Credits
60.00
Length of program
Two years
Credential type
Diploma
Campus
Coquitlam
Learning format
Full-time
Admission type
Limited Enrolment
Offered
Fall

Overview

The Hearing Aid Sciences 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 Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC), is a necessary step to becoming a Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioner (RHIP) in B.C.

Employment outlook

Nearly one out of every four Canadian adults 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
  • One of the following Mathematics courses with a minimum grade of C or approved substitutions:
    • Foundations of Mathematics 11
    • Foundations of Mathematics 12
    • Pre-calculus 11
    • Pre-calculus 12
  • Signed documentation of a Hearing Clinic tour or attendance at a Douglas College Information Session for the Hearing Aid Sciences Program
  • A Criminal Record Check (information will be provided by Enrolment Services following an offer of admission into the program).

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

Curriculum framework

 Graduation Requirements:

  • Successful completion of 60.00 credits
  • A minimum of 50% (30.00 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
  • In good academic standing
  • Time limit to complete the program graduation requirements: 7 years. Any courses completed outside of that time limit will not be usable. Students may seek the permission of the Department/Program to complete a credential outside the approved time limits.
  • Up to 50% (30.00 credits) of coursework used towards a previously received credential can be used to meet graduation requirements (see the Credentials Awarded Policy).

Course Requirements:

Course Number Course Title Credits

CMNS 1111

Workplace Communications

3.00

HEAR 1100

Hearing Aids and Bioacoustics I

2.00

HEAR 1101

Anatomy and Physiology of the Ear

3.00

HEAR 1111

Introduction to Hearing Aids

3.00

HEAR 1112

Introduction to Hearing Testing and Clinical Practices

4.00

HEAR 1200

Hearing Disorders

3.00

HEAR 1211

Introduction to Hearing Aid Fitting, Analysis and Verification

4.00

HEAR 1212

Introduction to Audiometry

4.00

HEAR 1310

Clinical Practicum Introduction

4.00

HEAR 2100

Hearing Aids and Bioacoustics II

2.00

HEAR 2101

Hearing Instrument Practitioner Regulation

2.00

HEAR 2111

Advanced Fitting and Clinical Practices

3.00

HEAR 2112

Audiometry II

4.00

HEAR 2200

Hearing Impaired Patient Interaction

2.00

HEAR 2201

Peripherals and Assistive listening Devices

3.00

HEAR 2210

Clinical Practicum II

4.00

HEAR 2212

Audiometry III

4.00

HEAR 2310

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

An ear for the industry Blog Photo

An ear for the industry

How this Hearing Aid Sciences Diploma student is helping others through lived experience

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