Top 10 Hearing Aid Specialist Certifications

Certifications for a hearing aid specialist are important for a number of reasons. Firstly, they demonstrate to employers that the individual is knowledgeable and experienced in the field. This can help them stand out from other applicants in the job market and gain an advantage when competing for positions. Certifications also show that the individual has taken the time to invest in their education and further their career prospects. By having certifications, the hearing aid specialist is more likely to be trusted by customers, as it shows that they have been tested and approved by a professional body. Finally, certifications can open up opportunities for higher-level positions or increased responsibility within the workplace.

The purpose of the article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Hearing Aid Specialists and explain how these certifications can help enhance a professional's career in the hearing aid industry.

What are Hearing Aid Specialist Certifications?

Hearing aid specialist certification is a formal qualification that demonstrates a high level of knowledge and skill in the fitting and servicing of hearing aids. It is available to those who have completed an approved training program or apprenticeship, or have significant experience in the field. The certification helps to ensure that those providing hearing aid services are qualified and experienced enough to provide the highest quality care for their clients.

By having a hearing aid specialist certification, it demonstrates to potential employers and clients that the individual has met certain standards of proficiency and can be trusted to provide quality services. It also serves as an assurance that they are up-to-date on any changes in technology or techniques related to hearing aids, so they can provide their clients with the best possible care. In addition, it may help individuals stand out among other applicants when seeking employment within the field.

Pro Tip: Hearing aid specialist certification can be an important asset for those seeking to work in the field of audiology. It not only demonstrates a high level of expertise, but also provides employers with the assurance that you are well-versed in all aspects of hearing aid technology and patient care. Additionally, it can open up opportunities for further career advancement, such as becoming a supervisor or manager in an audiology practice.

Related: What does a Hearing Aid Specialist do?

Top 10 Hearing Aid Specialist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Hearing Aid Specialists today.

1. American Academy of Audiology (AAA) Certificate

The American Academy of Audiology (AAA) Certificate is a professional certification program that recognizes audiologists who have achieved a high level of knowledge, skill, and experience in the field. The AAA Certificate is awarded to audiologists who meet the stringent requirements for education, clinical experience, and continuing education in audiology.

It typically takes an average of five years to complete the requirements for the AAA Certificate. To be eligible for the certificate, applicants must hold a doctoral degree in audiology from an accredited institution, have completed at least one year of supervised clinical practice in audiology, and have completed at least 30 hours of continuing education credits within the last three years.

To apply for the AAA Certificate, applicants must submit an application form along with supporting documents such as transcripts and proof of clinical experience. The application fee is $300 USD. Once approved by the AAA Board of Directors, applicants will receive their official certificate and be listed on the Academy's website as a certified audiologist.

2. National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS)

The National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS) is a professional certification program administered by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS). The NBC-HIS was established to ensure that hearing instrument specialists are qualified to provide quality hearing health care services. It is the only nationally recognized certification program for hearing instrument specialists.

To become certified, an applicant must first complete a minimum of 25 hours of approved continuing education credits and pass an examination that tests knowledge and skills related to fitting and dispensing hearing instruments. The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours to complete.

In order to take the NBC-HIS exam, applicants must submit an application form along with a fee of $200. Once the application is approved, applicants will be sent information on how to register for the exam. The exam can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center across the United States.

The cost of taking the NBC-HIS exam is $200 plus any applicable taxes or fees associated with taking the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center. After successfully passing the exam, applicants will receive their official certificate from NBC-HIS and will be listed as certified on their website.

3. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) is a professional certification that demonstrates a speech-language pathologist or audiologist has met the highest standards for education, clinical experience, and professional practice. The CCC is required to practice in most states and serves as an assurance of quality care to consumers and employers.

It typically takes two to three years to obtain the CCC. To become eligible for the ASHA CCC, applicants must complete a master’s degree from an accredited program in speech-language pathology or audiology, complete a supervised clinical fellowship year (CFY), pass the Praxis exam administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), and submit documentation of their qualifications to ASHA.

The cost of obtaining the CCC varies depending on the individual's situation. It includes fees for taking the Praxis exam, completing continuing education courses, and submitting application materials to ASHA. In addition, individuals may incur costs for tuition associated with obtaining their master's degree or completing their CFY.

4. International Hearing Society (IHS) Certification

The International Hearing Society (IHS) is a professional organization for hearing healthcare providers that provides certification for individuals who wish to practice in the field. IHS certification requires that applicants have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent, pass an exam administered by IHS, and complete continuing education requirements.

In order to become certified by IHS, applicants must first apply and pay the application fee. The application fee varies depending on the type of certification being sought. After submitting the application, applicants will be required to take an exam administered by IHS. This exam covers topics such as anatomy and physiology of the ear, hearing aid technology, audiology principles, patient counseling and communication skills.

Once an applicant has passed the exam, they will be required to submit proof of completion of at least 20 hours of continuing education within two years prior to their certification date. Once all requirements have been met, applicants will receive their official certificate from IHS. The entire process typically takes between four and six weeks to complete.

The cost of obtaining IHS certification varies depending on the type of certification being sought and can range from $100-$400 USD.

5. Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) Certification

The Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality hearing conservation education and certification. CAOHC Certification is the most widely accepted credential in occupational hearing conservation and is recognized by employers, labor organizations, regulatory agencies, and professional associations.

CAOHC offers two levels of certification: Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (COHC) and Certified Occupational Hearing Conservation Technician (COHCT). The COHC certification requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a related field and completion of the CAOHC Course for Professional Certification. The COHCT certification requires completion of the CAOHC Course for Technician Certification.

It typically takes 4-6 months to complete the coursework and obtain CAOHC Certification. The first step is to register for the appropriate course through the CAOHC website. Once registered, you will receive study materials which you will use to prepare for the exam. After completing all required coursework, you must pass both a written exam and a practical skills assessment in order to be certified.

The cost of obtaining CAOHC Certification varies depending on which level of certification you are seeking and whether or not you are an active member of any professional organization affiliated with CAOHC. Generally speaking, it costs between $400-$600 USD to become certified at either level.

6. American Board of Audiology (ABA) Certification

The American Board of Audiology (ABA) is a voluntary certification program that recognizes audiologists who have met the highest standards of professional practice. The ABA was established in 1998 as an independent, nonprofit organization to promote excellence in audiology and to ensure that audiologists maintain the highest level of professional competency.

To become certified by the ABA, applicants must meet certain educational and experience requirements, pass a comprehensive written examination, and demonstrate their commitment to continuing education. To be eligible for certification, applicants must have a doctoral degree from an accredited university program in audiology or its equivalent, be licensed to practice audiology in at least one state or country, and have completed at least two years of full-time clinical experience.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete the certification process. First, applicants must submit an application form along with supporting documents such as transcripts and proof of licensure. Once the application is approved, applicants can register for the written exam which consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics related to audiology practice. After passing the exam, they will receive their certificate from the ABA.

The cost of getting certified by the ABA varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA). For members, it costs $325; for non-members it costs $425.

7. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Certification

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Certification is a voluntary certification program that recognizes organizations that demonstrate exemplary commitment to workplace safety and health. The certification is granted to employers who have met NIOSH’s criteria for excellence in safety and health management.

To get certified, an employer must submit an application to NIOSH, which will then be reviewed by a panel of experts. The panel will assess the employer's safety and health management system, including its policies and procedures, training programs, hazard identification and control efforts, emergency preparedness plans, employee involvement activities, and recordkeeping practices. If the employer meets all of NIOSH's criteria for excellence in safety and health management, they will be awarded the NIOSH Certification.

The process typically takes about six months from start to finish. Employers must first complete the application process before submitting it to NIOSH for review. After receiving the application, NIOSH will evaluate it against their criteria for excellence in safety and health management. Once approved, employers will receive their certificate of recognition from NIOSH.

The cost of getting certified depends on the size of the organization applying for certification. Smaller organizations may pay as little as $500 while larger organizations may pay up to $10,000 or more depending on their size and complexity.

8. American Tinnitus Association (ATA) Certification

The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) Certification is a program designed to recognize audiologists who have demonstrated expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus. The ATA Certification Program is a voluntary, self-paced program that requires audiologists to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in the field of tinnitus management.

To become certified, an audiologist must complete a series of courses, seminars, and webinars related to tinnitus diagnosis and treatment. These courses are offered by the ATA and other organizations such as the American Academy of Audiology (AAA). The courses cover topics such as tinnitus assessment, counseling techniques, sound therapy, habituation strategies, pharmacotherapy, and more.

The certification process typically takes around two years to complete. During this time, audiologists must document their participation in each course or seminar they attend. They must also submit case studies demonstrating their ability to diagnose and treat tinnitus patients. Once all requirements are met, audiologists can apply for ATA Certification.

The cost of the certification varies based on the number of courses attended and whether or not additional materials are purchased from the ATA or other organizations. Generally speaking, certification costs range from $300-$500 USD depending on the individual's needs.

9. Academy of Dispensing Audiologists (ADA) Certificate

The Academy of Dispensing Audiologists (ADA) Certificate is a professional certification program designed to recognize audiologists who have demonstrated expertise in the dispensing of hearing aids. This certification is intended to promote quality standards in the field and to ensure that audiologists are knowledgeable about current trends and technologies related to hearing aid dispensing.

The ADA Certificate requires approximately 40 hours of continuing education, including both online and hands-on instruction. The curriculum covers topics such as patient counseling, fitting techniques, earmold impressions, selection criteria for different types of hearing aids, troubleshooting and repairs, and other relevant topics.

To obtain the ADA Certificate, applicants must first complete all required coursework and pass an examination. The exam consists of both written and practical components that test the applicant’s knowledge of hearing aid technology and their ability to apply it in a clinical setting. Once the exam has been successfully completed, applicants will receive their certificate from the Academy of Dispensing Audiologists.

The cost for obtaining the ADA Certificate varies depending on the type of training program chosen by the applicant. Generally speaking, most programs cost between $2,000-$3,000 USD.

10. International Institute for Hearing Instrument Studies (IIHIS) Certificate

The International Institute for Hearing Instrument Studies (IIHIS) Certificate is a program designed to provide hearing health professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to fit, adjust, and verify the performance of hearing instruments. The program is comprised of three courses that cover topics such as anatomy and physiology of the ear, audiology and acoustics, hearing instrument technology, counseling and communication strategies, verification methods, troubleshooting and repair techniques.

The IIHIS Certificate can be completed in as little as nine months. The program consists of three online courses: Introduction to Hearing Instruments; Advanced Hearing Instrument Technology; and Clinical Verification & Fitting Strategies. Each course requires approximately 30 hours of study time per week. Upon successful completion of all three courses, students will receive an IIHIS Certificate.

In order to get the IIHIS Certificate, one must first complete the required courses offered by the Institute. Students are required to submit a completed application form along with supporting documents such as transcripts or proof of prior education in order to be accepted into the program. After acceptance into the program, students must pay tuition fees in order to begin their studies. Tuition fees vary depending on which courses are taken but typically range from $2,000-$3,000 USD for all three courses combined.

Once all requirements have been met and tuition has been paid in full, students can begin their studies and work towards obtaining their IIHIS Certificate.

Do You Really Need a Hearing Aid Specialist Certificate?

No, you do not need a Hearing Aid Specialist Certificate to become a hearing aid specialist. Although having certification can help you stand out from the crowd and give potential employers assurance that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the field, it is not required. Many people successfully enter into this profession without any special certification or training.

In most cases, hearing aid specialists learn on the job while they are working with clients. This means that they must have excellent interpersonal skills as well as a strong understanding of how hearing aids work and how to fit them properly. Additionally, they must stay up-to-date on the latest technology so that they can provide their clients with the best care possible.

Having a certificate or degree in audiology may be beneficial for those looking to become hearing aid specialists since it provides an extra layer of credibility and specialization. However, it is not required in order to become successful in this field. The most important factor when pursuing this career path is gaining experience and developing strong relationships with clients so that you can provide them with the best care possible.

Related: Hearing Aid Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Hearing Aid Specialist Certifications

Q1: What certifications do hearing aid specialists need?

A1: Hearing aid specialists typically need to obtain a license from the state in which they practice, as well as complete additional certifications such as those offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), International Hearing Society (IHS), National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS), and American Academy of Audiology (AAA).

Q2: How long does it take to become a certified hearing aid specialist?

A2: The amount of time required to become a certified hearing aid specialist can vary depending on the certification program chosen. Generally, it takes between six months and one year to complete the requirements for certification.

Q3: Are there continuing education requirements for hearing aid specialists?

A3: Yes, many states require that hearing aid specialists maintain their certification through continued education courses. Additionally, professional organizations such as ASHA and AAA may have specific continuing education requirements for their members.

Q4: What is the scope of practice for a certified hearing aid specialist?

A4: A certified hearing aid specialist is qualified to assess and fit individuals with various types of hearing aids. They may also provide counseling and instruction on proper use and care of these devices. Additionally, some states allow them to diagnose certain types of hearing loss.

Q5: Where can I find more information about becoming a certified hearing aid specialist?

A5: You can find more information about becoming a certified hearing aid specialist from your state licensing board or from professional organizations such as ASHA or IHS. Additionally, you can contact local schools or universities that offer programs in audiology or speech-language pathology for more information.