The difference between an audiologist and a hearing specialist (often referred to as a hearing instrument specialist or hearing aid specialist) primarily lies in their level of training and the scope of their practice.
Audiologists hold a Master’s Degree in Clinical Audiology, obtained via post-graduate education.
Audiologists can perform detailed hearing tests, prescribe and fit hearing aids, and provide rehabilitation services for patients with hearing impairments. They are also qualified to manage conditions like tinnitus and auditory processing disorders.
Hearing specialists, on the other hand, typically have a two-year associate degree or a certification and specialise in performing hearing tests primarily for fitting and dispensing hearing aids.
They focus on the sale and maintenance of hearing aids and may provide basic hearing tests and follow-up support for hearing aid users. They do not diagnose conditions or provide the extensive range of audiological healthcare services that audiologists do.
Both professionals play important roles in hearing health, but Audiologists have broader and more in-depth medical training for comprehensive hearing care.