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The hearing instrument specialist is trained
in the assessment of patients who specifically seek rehabilitation
for hearing loss. In New Jersey, the State Board of Medical
Examiners, Hearing Aid Dispensers Examining Committee, will
grant a hearing aid dispensers license to an individual who
has met the experiential criteria and has passed both written
and practical examinations. The licensing process is strict.
In addition, licensees are required to complete professional
continuing education throughout each biennial registration
period. This process ensures that licensed hearing instrument
specialists are competent when they enter the field and continue
to practice while improving and updating their knowledge and
level of competence. In New Jersey, both hearing instrument
specialists and audiologists must meet the requirements and
pass the same examinations to be awarded a license to dispense
(sell and service) hearing instruments and related products
and to rehabilitate persons with hearing loss.
All New Jersey hearing aid dispensers have a license to practice
at a minimum. Some dispensers continue to upgrade their credentials
through the National Board Certification in Hearing Instrument
Sciences (NBC-HIS) and/or the American Conference of Audioprosthology
(ACA). The achievement of NBC-HIS indicates that your hearing
instrument specialist had the initiative to excel beyond the
minimal requirements to practice. Eligibility to apply for
Board Certification comes after at least two years of licensed
practice. The applicant must then pass a psychometric national
competency examination administered by a panel of experts,
and, by so doing, has demonstrated an exemplary level of knowledge,
skill and expertise in the field of hearing aid dispensing.
Continuing professional education is also mandatory for continuation
of the NBC-HIS credential.
The ACA is the premier educational program that offers hearing
instrument specialists the opportunity to grow their practices,
reach higher educational goals and establish themselves as
respected healthcare providers. The Audioprosthology program
is sponsored by the International Institute of Hearing Instrument
Studies, the educational division of the International Hearing
Society, and is recognized by the American Council on Education.
The ACA credential signifies that the hearing care practitioners
has achieved an even higher level of expertise to better serve
persons in need of hearing help. Hearing instrument specialists
with the ACA have earned an advanced professional credential
that distinguishes them from their peers.
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