Intersted in Becoming A

Hearing Instrument Specialist?

Hearing Instrument Specialists—also known as Hearing Aid Specialist or Hearing Aid Dispensers—are licensed hearing care professionals who evaluate hearing health and provide personalized solutions, most commonly hearing aids to improve a patient’s life.

Hearing Instrument Specialist help connect people with the world around them. Utilizing their skill set in identifying hearing loss then selecting the correct hearing aids and assistive technology to support a patient's needs. It is a fulfilling impact you can make in someone’s life.

Responsibilites include:

Administering hearing tests
Recommending amplification options
Making ear impressions
Fitting and dispensing hearing aids
Verifying and Validating settings
Counseling on hearing loss and hearing protection
Providing aural rehabilitation
Recommend any assistive devices
Providing follow up care

Career Pluses:

You can be employed while you learn.
Job market is growing fast than average compared to other occupations.
Helping people equals meaningful work.

How to become a Hearing Instrument Specialist:

Contact and check requirements listed by the WA DOH Board of Hearing and Speech.
Washington has two programs to choose from to receive a HIS license, HAST or SFCC. Each program has their own requirements. Please reference each to determine which would work best for you.
Find a supervisor/mentor to assist on your path.
Join WHS and IHS as a Student Member to receive additional information or training material.
Complete the training program.
Pass the written exam, practical exam and jurisprudence exam.
Submit the application to WA DOH Board of Hearing and Speech. Licenses are usually issued a couple weeks after application and all needed documentation is submitted to WA DOH.
Upon earning your licensure switch membership from student to provider in WHS and IHS.
Complete your National Board Certification (BC-HIS).
Continue learning by completing your continuing education units.