Occupation

Hearing Aid Specialists

Human Advantage 77%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.3 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

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.

Also Known As: Audiology Assistant, Audiology Technician, Audioprosthologist, Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist (Board Certified HIS), Hearing Aid Attendant, Hearing Aid Consultant, Hearing Aid Dispenser, Hearing Aid Fitter +16 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Train clients to use hearing aids or other augmentative communication devices.
  2. Counsel patients and families on communication strategies and the effects of hearing loss.
  3. Select and administer tests to evaluate hearing or related disabilities.
  4. Administer basic hearing tests including air conduction, bone conduction, or speech audiometry tests.
  5. Maintain or repair hearing aids or other communication devices.
  6. Perform basic screening procedures, such as pure tone screening, otoacoustic screening, immittance screening, and screening of ear canal status using otoscope.
  7. Create or modify impressions for earmolds and hearing aid shells.
  8. Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in audiology.
  9. Demonstrate assistive listening devices (ALDs) to clients.

Supplemental Tasks (2)

  1. Assist audiologists in performing aural procedures, such as real ear measurements, speech audiometry, auditory brainstem responses, electronystagmography, and cochlear implant mapping.
  2. Diagnose and treat hearing or related disabilities under the direction of an audiologist.

Education & Training

Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Doctoral Degree
44%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
22%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
12%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
12%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
9%
Bachelor's Degree
0%
Master's Degree
0%
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Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word

Software (7)

  • HIMSA Noah
  • Otometrics OTOsuite

Tools & Equipment (36)

  • Auditory brainstem response screening systems
  • Automatic impedance audiometers
  • Behind-the-ear hearing aids
  • Caloric irrigators
  • Circumaural headphones
  • Color laser printers
  • Desktop computers
  • Diagnostic tuning forks
  • Ear probes
  • Electroacoustic impedance bridges
  • Handheld otoscopes
  • Hearing aid analyzers
  • Hearing aid programming interfaces
  • Hearing aid vacuum systems
  • In-the-canal hearing aids
  • In-the-ear hearing aids
  • Laser measurement systems
  • Mechanical stethoscopes
  • Mini hearing aids
  • Otoacoustic emissions equipment OAE
  • Personal computers
  • Portable auditory screeners
  • Probe microphones
  • Programmable hearing aids
  • Pure tone audiometers
  • Sound booths
  • Speech audiometers
  • Speech mapping systems
  • Tablet computers
  • Two-channel amplifiers
  • Two-channel audiometers
  • Tympanometers
  • Ultrasonic cleaning systems
  • Video-otoscopes
  • Warble tone audiometers
  • Wide range audiometers

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Physical Health Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
Endoscopy Technicians 97% match
Zone 3
Hearing Aid Specialists You are here
Zone 4
Exercise Physiologists 82% match
Zone 5
Orthotists and Prosthetists 93% match

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Real Talk

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