Learn how internationally trained medical graduates can become licensed hearing aid practitioners in Canada. Understand education, practicum, exams, costs, and timelines.
September 11, 2025
Hearing aid practitioners help Canadians who live with hearing loss by testing hearing, fitting hearing aids, and providing follow-up care. Demand is strong and growing: the Canadian Hearing Report estimates that over 60 percent of adults aged 70 and older have measurable hearing loss, and Statistics Canada projects that by 2031 almost one in four Canadians will be over 65.
For internationally trained medical graduates (IMGs) such as physicians or ENT specialists trained outside Canada, this profession offers a way to build a meaningful healthcare career using existing clinical skills. IMGs bring valuable diagnostic and patient-care experience, helping fill labour shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Even with a medical degree, IMGs must follow the Canadian licensing steps for hearing aid practitioners. Here is the typical process:
1. Credential evaluation: Submit official transcripts, course outlines, and proof of clinical experience for assessment by a recognized service such as World Education Services (WES) or a provincial credential body. All documents must be translated into English or French if needed.
2. Complete a Canadian diploma or prove equivalency: Most provinces require a two-year Hearing Aid Practitioner or Hearing Instrument Specialist diploma, offered by schools such as MacEwan University (Alberta), Humber College (Ontario), or Douglas College (British Columbia). Some regulators may grant advanced standing if your medical education overlaps with the program, but you must still meet every Canadian competency.
3. Language proficiency: If English or French is not your first language, you need to pass an accepted test such as IELTS Academic or CELPIP, usually with an overall band score of 6.5–7.0.
4. Supervised clinical practicum or internship: Canadian clinical experience is required.
5. Competency or verification exam: After completing education and practicum hours, you must pass a provincial exam to demonstrate skills in hearing assessment, ear impressions, and hearing-aid fitting. Alberta uses the CHAPA verification exam, British Columbia relies on the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC, and Ontario’s final check is through the Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners of Ontario.
6. Provincial registration: Finally, apply for registration with your provincial regulator. You will provide proof of your diploma, practicum hours, exam results, a criminal record check, and liability insurance. Annual licensing fees generally range from CAD 400 to 650.
Most internationally trained medical graduates complete the full pathway in two and a half to three years. The Canadian diploma typically takes two years of full-time study, followed by six to twelve months of practicum or internship. Scheduling for exams and registration can add a few extra months. IMGs who receive credit for prior coursework may finish slightly sooner, but three years is a realistic estimate.
Typical expenses include:
Altogether, most IMGs invest CAD 18,000–25,000 to meet all requirements.
Canada faces a steady increase in hearing-care needs as the population ages and awareness of hearing health grows. Job Bank Canada rates employment prospects for hearing instrument practitioners as good to very good in nearly every province. Opportunities exist in private audiology clinics, hearing-aid retail centres, hospitals, and community health settings.
Typical wages range from CAD 28 to 40 per hour, or about CAD 55,000 to 85,000 annually, with higher earnings possible for experienced practitioners or those managing their own clinics. For internationally trained medical graduates, this profession offers stable employment, regular hours, and the satisfaction of helping Canadians maintain communication and quality of life.
The costs of retraining, tuition, practicum, credential verification, exams, and registration can feel overwhelming. Windmill Microlending offers low-interest loans for skilled immigrants, including internationally trained medical graduates, to help cover tuition, exam fees, credential assessments, and licensing costs.
With Windmill’s financial support, you can focus on completing your education and clinical hours and begin your new career as a licensed hearing aid practitioner, improving hearing health for communities across Canada.
