The Difference between an Audiologist (Au.D.) and
a Hearing Instrument Specialist (HIS)
a Hearing Instrument Specialist (HIS)
Audiologists are primary health-care professionals who evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss and balance disorders.
- Have an advanced degree and is an expert in all aspects of hearing healthcare and trained to understand and program hearing aids, cochlear implants, assistive listening devices, bone-anchored hearing aids, and more.
- Audiologists are the only qualified professionals who can diagnose an individual with auditory processing disorder, or “hidden hearing loss.
Hearing Aid Specialists have a high school or two-year degree and has received training and passed their state examination for the dispensing of hearing devices only.
- As a hearing health professional, they are trained to evaluate common types of hearing loss in adults and fit hearing aids and are typically licensed to perform tasks related to hearing aid fittings, such as program hearing aids and make ear-mold impressions.
- Hearing instrument specialists do not diagnose hearing loss or hearing disorders and are not trained to diagnose and treat tinnitus, hyperacusis, auditory processing disorders, or other auditory cognitive processing skills.