Mobile hearing aid care and minor repairs

Seniors and their families, retirement and assisted living residences, and care home managers who arrange regular visit days for residents.

A per-visit fee for home calls, or a set rate per resident or per session at residences. Add parts and supplies such as domes, filters and cleaning kits.

• Patience and a gentle manner with older people
• Fine hand skills
• Basic hearing aid knowledge
• Reliable scheduling and driving

• Check your provincial rules on who may fit, adjust or program hearing aids, and keep to maintenance and simple repairs unless you are qualified
• Commercial general liability insurance, and check whether residences require proof of cover and background or vulnerable sector checks
• Check with your municipality whether you need a business licence, even if you work from a vehicle
• Winter driving and travel time between visits can cut into your earnings, so plan routes by area
• Handling residents' personal and health information: check privacy rules and get consent

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your setup. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $800 to $4,000, depending on how many visits and residences you serve.

Check your provincial rules on who may fit, adjust or program hearing aids, and keep to maintenance and simple repairs unless qualified. Also check whether residences require proof of insurance or vulnerable sector checks, and whether your municipality requires a business licence.

Estimates suggest at least about 8 hours a week to start. Winter driving and travel time between visits can cut into earnings, so planning routes by area helps. Useful skills include patience with older people, fine hand skills and reliable scheduling.