  
Hearing Aid Fitter/Dispensers:
- assess hearing
- recommend and fit hearing aids,
- use a computerized systems and specialized software,
- provide education on hearing loss and hearing solutions, and
- troubleshoot hearing aid problems and perform minor repairs.
Hearing Instrument Specialists™ typically work regular office hours. Job satisfaction among hearing instrument specialists is high, partly because of the diverse activities they perform and the variety of people they meet. The phrase, ‘hearing instruments’ refers to what are traditionally known as hearing aids. Hearing instruments are professionally-tuned listening devices used by those with hearing loss.
Nationally, job placement opportunities for this program's graduates are excellent. The field lacks a source of formally educated and trained professionals in the field of “hearing instrument science technologies”. Currently, only two programs in Washington State offer a college degree in hearing instrument sciences. These programs have been developed with the guidance of a cooperative government and industry-published skills standards study.
This field’s need for Bates graduates is considered to be statistically high both in the state of Washington and throughout the nation. The aging of the population, nationally, suggests a growing need for hearing health care professionals well into the future. Graduates of this program can expect that employment opportunities will be readily available to them, though relocation may be necessary. National multi-cultural employment and population trends also indicate positive employment opportunities regardless of race, ethnicity or gender.
Washington State’s licensing requirements are among the most rigorous, nationally, and students are encouraged to contact the certification/licensure boards in the state where they are seeking employment for state-specific requirements. |
