This major is a program that prepares individuals to test the hearing of, and to select, fit and dispense appropriate hearing aids for, patients.
Includes instruction in acoustics, anatomy and physiology of the ear, hearing testing, hearing aid fitting and technology, health promotion and rehabilitation, counseling and communication, business management, and professional ethics.
What can you do with a major/degree in Hearing Instrument Specialist Major?
In the capacity of a Hearing Instrument Specialist, select and fit hearing aids for customers. Administer and interpret tests of hearing. Assess hearing instrument efficacy. Take ear impressions and prepare, design, and modify ear molds. You may also have the title of a Hearing Aid Specialist.
Job opportunities for hearing instrument specialists are very likely in the future as this career subsector is expected to see an eight percent (8%) growth 2019-2029.
To enter this field, the educational requirements for a hearing instrument specialist, at minimum, is an associate degree. Specific 2-year degree programs emphasize hearing impairments and applied corrective instrumentation.
Trade Associations and Professional Organizations in Hearing Instrument Specialist Major
Professional associations are groups of professionals dedicated to topics in specific fields. Professional associations provide a wealth of online resources, some of which are geared specifically towards students. These organizations typically also host conferences and events, providing great opportunities for learning and networking across your field of interest.
- American Academy of Audiology
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences
Publications/Magazines in Hearing Instrument Specialist Major