Treatment for hearing problems is the best it’s ever been, and it keeps getting better.

Audiologists are health professionals who treat hearing. They improve quality of life for people with hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), balance, auditory processing (for understanding and using language), and other related disorders that impact their ability to hear sounds and understand spoken words. They also develop hearing loss prevention programs.

Supportive personnel assist in the delivery of audiology services. They are supervised by a qualified audiologist.

Education and training

Audiologists typically hold a Master's (M.S.) or Doctoral (Au.D. or Ph.D.) degree from an accredited university postgraduate program. They are governed by a regulatory body, the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC, and must meet regulatory requirements to practice.

By virtue of their education, certification, and licensure, audiologists are the most qualified professionals to perform hearing tests, refer patients for medical treatment, and provide hearing rehabilitation services.

Audiologists work in medical centres and hospitals, public health units, private practice settings, schools, government health facilities and agencies, as well as colleges and universities. As a primary hearing health provider, audiologists refer patients to physicians when a hearing or balance problem requires medical or surgical intervention.