An AUDIOLOGIST is a hearing health care professional holding, at minimum, a Master’s degree in audiology. Audiologists specialize in the administration and interpretation of complex hearing tests for all ages, from infant through older adults, and are trained to identify, manage and treat non-medical hearing and balance problems in addition to prescribing and fitting hearing aids. Audiology is a REGULATED health profession in Ontario, meaning audiologists are governed by the regulatory College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario, whose mandate it is to ensure that audiologists are practicing in a safe, ethical, fair, and professional manner. The college also investigates complaints and ensures that audiologists are accountable to the public.

A HEARING INSTRUMENT SPECIALIST has a smaller scope of practice and is NOT regulated. A HIS can test someone’s hearing, and recommend specific hearing aids, but is required to get a hearing aid prescription from an audiologist or physician. Hearing testing of children is not within the HIS scope of practice.

An ENT is a medical doctor who specializes in the surgical and medical intervention of ear, nose, and throat disorders.