Hearing Aid Specialists

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-2092
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 11
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Train clients to use hearing aids or other augmentative communication devices.
• Counsel patients and families on communication strategies and the effects of hearing loss.
• Select and administer tests to evaluate hearing or related disabilities.
• Administer basic hearing tests including air conduction, bone conduction, or speech audiometry tests.
• Maintain or repair hearing aids or other communication devices.
• Perform basic screening procedures, such as pure tone screening, otoacoustic screening, immittance screening, and screening of ear canal status using otoscope.
• Create or modify impressions for earmolds and hearing aid shells.
• Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in audiology.
• Demonstrate assistive listening devices (ALDs) to clients.
• Assist audiologists in performing aural procedures, such as real ear measurements, speech audiometry, auditory brainstem responses, electronystagmography, and cochlear implant mapping.
• Diagnose and treat hearing or related disabilities under the direction of an audiologist.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Auditory brainstem response screening systems, Automatic impedance audiometers, Behind-the-ear hearing aids, Caloric irrigators, Circumaural headphones, Color laser printers, Desktop computers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
• Orthotists and Prosthetists
• Neurodiagnostic Technologists
• Dental Assistants
• Endoscopy Technicians
• Occupational Therapy Aides
• Medical Assistants
• Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Hearing Aid Specialists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.