The Role of Hearing Instrument Specialists: A Comprehensive Overview

If you’ve been experiencing hearing loss recently then you might be thinking it’s time to get your hearing checked. Throughout this process you’ll see many hearing health professionals from audiologists right to a hearing instrument specialist (HIS). But what is a HIS and how is their role

different from an audiologist? Read on to find out.

What Does a Hearing Instrument Specialist Do?

To put it simply, a hearing instrument specialist is a professional that has been trained to dispense hearing aids and, in some cases, evaluate different types of hearing loss. They will have a license for their title. Let’s take a look at some of the roles they play. These can include:

• Repair broken or faulty hearing aids.
• Help you select your hearing aids.
• Fit, program and dispense hearing aids.
• Take ear impressions for fittings.
• Give and interpret hearing tests.
• Design and modify earmolds.
• Remove earwax.

What’s the Difference Between an Audiologist and a Hearing Instrument Specialist?

The main differences between the two are as simple as what service they can provide for you. Hearing instrument specialists are trained to give hearing tests and fit hearing aids, but audiologists go through further training so they can give you a full evaluation of your auditory system.

What this means is that to become a hearing instrument specialist, you’ll need a high school diploma and go through an intense training program. Not only that, you’ll need to have many hours of hands-on learning that are overseen by hearing health professionals and the course can take up to two years! The program often covers many areas such as:

• Hearing aid selection and fitting.
• Hearing aid technology.
• Anatomy of the ear.
• Acoustics.
• Assessment or testing of hearing.
• Counseling.

Once they have learned all of the above and other topics, they then must sit an exam to become licensed. The exams are both written and practical, and they will need to impress a board of examiners. If they pass, then they have to apply for a license in their state.

An audiologist, however, will need to earn a doctorate in audiology and then become licensed in the state they are working in. However, audiologists can work with anyone, from very young to the elderly and with varying levels of hearing loss.

Should I See a Hearing Instrument Specialist?

If you have complex hearing issues, then a HIS might not be the right choice for you. However, if you’re an adult with noise induced or age-related hearing loss that can’t be corrected with medical intervention, then a hearing instrument specialist might be the right option for you. They’ll be able to recommend and fit your hearing aids that will help you to hear better.

If you want to learn more about hearing aids and what the fitting process is like, a hearing instrument specialist will be the right person for you. Contact a hearing instrument specialist if you have any questions regarding your hearing aids.