When you start looking into hearing care, you run into a few different titles: audiologist, hearing instrument practitioner, hearing aid dispenser. They are not the same, and knowing the difference helps you choose the right care. Here is what an audiologist actually does.
The short version
An audiologist is a university-trained hearing and balance specialist. That advanced training means they do more than sell hearing aids. They diagnose hearing loss, get to the root of the problem, and manage a wide range of hearing and ear-related conditions.
What an audiologist does
- Diagnoses hearing loss. A full assessment measures your hearing across the range of speech and sound, checks your ear health, and pinpoints the type and degree of any loss.
- Explains your results. In plain language, so you actually understand what is going on and what your choices are.
- Selects and fits hearing aids. Not just any device, but the right one for your hearing, lifestyle, and budget, fine-tuned with real-ear verification so it sounds natural.
- Manages tinnitus. Assessment and a personalized plan for the ringing, buzzing, or hissing many people live with.
- Provides ear health checks.
- Fits custom hearing protection for musicians, workers, and swimmers.
- Supports children and seniors with age-appropriate testing and care.
- Follows up over time, because hearing needs change and hearing aids need adjusting.
What education does an audiologist need?
In Canada, practising as an audiologist requires a master’s degree in audiology from an accredited university program. That means at least six years of post-secondary education, including supervised clinical placements in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and community clinics. After graduating, audiologists must register with their provincial regulatory college before they can see patients.
This level of training is what separates an audiologist from other hearing professionals. It covers the anatomy and physiology of the ear, neurological pathways for sound processing, pediatric assessment techniques, balance disorders, and evidence-based rehabilitation methods. In Alberta, audiologists are regulated by the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Alberta (CASLPA), which sets ongoing continuing education requirements to keep skills current.
When should you see an audiologist?
Many people put off a hearing check because they think their hearing “isn’t that bad yet.” In reality, the earlier hearing loss is identified, the easier it is to manage. You should consider seeing an audiologist if you:
- Often ask people to repeat themselves, especially in restaurants or group conversations
- Turn the TV volume higher than others in the room need
- Have trouble following conversations on the phone
- Notice ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sounds in your ears
- Feel like one ear hears better than the other
- Have been exposed to loud noise at work, concerts, or through hobbies like hunting or motorsports
A comprehensive hearing test takes about an hour and is completely painless. You will leave with a clear picture of where your hearing stands and what, if anything, makes sense as a next step.
What happens at a hearing test?
Understanding the process can take some of the uncertainty out of your first visit. A typical assessment at an Edmonton hearing clinic includes several parts. First, your audiologist will ask about your hearing history, any concerns, your work environment, and your daily listening situations. Then they will look inside your ears with an otoscope to check for wax buildup, infection, or structural issues.
The core of the test happens in a sound-treated booth. You will listen to tones at different pitches and volumes through headphones, and your responses are mapped on an audiogram. Your audiologist may also test how well you understand speech in quiet and in background noise, which gives a practical picture of how hearing loss affects your everyday life. If results show a loss that would benefit from amplification, your audiologist will walk you through hearing aid options suited to your lifestyle and budget.
Audiologist versus hearing aid dispenser
A hearing instrument practitioner or dispenser is trained to fit and sell hearing aids, which is valuable work. An audiologist has broader, university-level training in the science of hearing and balance, which means they can diagnose the cause of a problem, not just fit a device. For a clinic that is audiologist-led, you get that depth of expertise on every visit.
Do you need a referral?
No. You can book directly with an audiologist in Alberta, no doctor’s referral required.
See our audiologist in Edmonton and Calgary
Every hearing test and hearing aid fitting at Medicine Place Hearing Care is led by a registered audiologist, at our two Edmonton clinics and our Calgary location. Learn more on our audiologist page, or book a hearing test to get started.