Hearing Aid Specialists

At a Glance

Have a high level of social interaction
Work closely with patients and healthcare workers
Most work full time
Receive on-the-job training

Career summary

Hearing aid specialists perform tests to check hearing ability. They set up and maintain hearing aids and listening devices for patients.

Hearing aid specialists perform different tests to evaluate hearing ability. They test for air conduction, bone conduction, and speech audiometry. Sometimes they perform screening procedures such as:

pure tone screening
otoacoustic screening
immittance screening

They often assist audiologists with hearing related procedures. Hearing aid specialists check for hearing disabilities and set up hearing aids for patients. They create molds to fit patients ears and help patients learn how to use their hearing aids. Additionally, hearing aid specialists research current technologies by attending conferences and talking with colleagues.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to hearing aid specialists.

Conduct basic hearing tests including air conduction, bone conduction, or speech audiometry tests.
Check for hearing related disabilities.
Assist audiologists with hearing related procedures.
Perform basic screening procedures, such as pure tone screening, otoacoustic screening, immittance screening, and screening of ear canal status using otoscope.
Set up and maintain hearing aids and other communication devices.
Create molds so hearing devices fit patient's ears.
Teach patients how to use hearing aids and other communication devices.
Demonstrate assistive listening devices to clients.
Research current technologies by attending conferences, reading, and talking with colleagues.

Common work activities

Hearing aid specialists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
Update and use job-related knowledge
Make decisions and solve problems
Use computers
Perform for or work with the public
Evaluate information against standards
Assist and care for others
Document and record information
Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
Organize, plan, and prioritize work
Get information needed to do the job
Establish and maintain relationships
Explain the meaning of information to others
Develop goals and strategies
Analyze data or information
Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
Perform administrative tasks
Think creatively
Judge the value of objects, services, or people
Identify objects, actions, and events
Process information
Develop and build teams
Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
Schedule work and activities
Repair and maintain electronic equipment
Communicate with people outside the organization
Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
Teach others
Handle and move objects
Monitor and control resources

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, hearing aid specialists:

Interpersonal relationships

Are in contact with others each day by phone, e-mail, and in person.
Have a high level of social contact.
Work with coworkers and customers.
Lead the work of others.
Are responsible for the health and safety of others.
May be placed in conflict situations once a week.
Deal with unpleasant or angry people once a week.

Physical work conditions

Always work indoors.
Work close to others when performing tests and assisting patients with hearing aids.
May be exposed to diseases every day.
See objects nearby and far away.
Speak clearly so patients can understand.

Work performance

Cause very serious errors if they make a mistake.
Make decisions that have a major impact on others.
Make most decisions on their own.
Be exact in their work.
Set most of their own tasks and activities.
Work in a competitive environment.
Meet strict deadlines about once a week.

Hours/travel

Work full-time.
Work a regular schedule.

Physical demands

Hearing aid specialists frequently:

Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for hearing aid specialists to be able to:

See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
Understand the speech of another person.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for hearing aid specialists to be able to:

See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
Determine the distance between objects.

Skills and abilities

Hearing aid specialists need to:

Communicate

Understand spoken information.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Listen to others and ask questions.
Understand written information.
Write clearly so other people can understand.
Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and problem solve

Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
Recognize the nature of a problem.
Develop rules that group items in various ways.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

Check how well one is learning or doing something.
Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

Look for ways to help people.
Teach others how to do something.
Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
Persuade others to approach things differently.
Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Perceive and visualize

Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

Biomedical Technology

Training

To work as a hearing aid specialist, you typically need to:

have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Some hearing aid specialists learn their skills through formal training programs. Professional-technical colleges offer medical assisting programs. A one-year program grants a certificate. Courses include anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, medical law, and ethics. Office courses include typing, recordkeeping, accounting, and insurance processing. You also gain skills in lab techniques and first aid.

On-the-job training

Most hearing aid specialists learn their skills on the job. Through on-the-job training you learn medical terminology, the names of the instruments, how to do daily tasks, how to interact with patients, and other tasks. You also learn how to code both paper and electronic health records and how to record patient information. Training typically lasts several months.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum (external link) may be different from your state's graduation requirements .

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

Anatomy and Physiology
Introduction to Health Care
Medical Office

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups (PDF file) that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Licensing/certification

Hearing aid specialists must be licensed in Washington State. Licensing requirements include:

Completion of a two-year degree or nine-month certificate program approved by the Board of Hearing and Speech;
Pass a board approved written examination;
Certificate holders must also pass a practical examination;
Post a surety bond or provide proof of other security of at least $10,000;
Report all states in which they are or were previously licensed or had applied for a license;
Answer personal data questions;
Complete four-hours of HIV/AIDS training;
complete 30-hours of continuing education every three years.

Cost for the initial application and license is $205. The annual renewal fee is $75. Fees for the International Hearing Society written and practical examinations are paid directly to the testing provider.

For detailed information on licensing visit the Washington State Department of Health Hearing Aid Specialist website (external link) .

Wages

Hearing Aid Specialists (SOC 29-2092)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Vancouver	Hourly	$12.26	$14.35	$28.25	$35.88	$38.84
	Monthly	$2,125	$2,487	$4,896	$6,218	$6,731
	Yearly	$25,494	$29,846	$58,762	$74,648	$80,796
United States	Hourly	$13.66	$18.45	$25.37	$32.25	$42.59
	Monthly	$2,367	$3,197	$4,397	$5,589	$7,381
	Yearly	$28,410	$38,380	$52,770	$67,090	$88,590

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. Wages also vary based on the worker's education and experience.

Benefits vary by employer. Most full-time occupational therapist aides receive benefits. These include paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Many part-time aides do not receive benefits.

Employment and outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Hearing Aid Specialists (SOC 29-2092)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	166	7.8%	16.1%	13
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	11	18.2%	15.2%	1
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	18	38.9%	14.1%	3
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	23	4.3%	14.6%	1
King County	29	0.0%	19.6%	2
Pierce County	11	0.0%	15.2%	1
Snohomish County	16	0.0%	12.4%	1
Spokane County	10	0.0%	13.9%	1
United States	7,700	16.9%	5.2%	700

National employment

Major employers:

Medical equipment and supply manufacturers
Health and personal care stores

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be strong due to the increase in the aging population. As people age, there will be an increase in need for hearing aides and hearing aid specialists.