Hearing Aids and Hearing Aid Providers

What's the Difference between an Audiologist and a Hearing Instrument Specialist?
  • Audiologists (Au.D.)
  • Hearing Instrument Specialists (HIS)
  • Prescription vs Over-the Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids
Audiologists (Au.D.)
  • The only qualified professionals who can diagnose an individual with auditory processing disorder, or hidden hearing loss
  • Evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss and balance disorders  
  • Have an advanced degree and are experts in all aspects of hearing healthcare
  • Specialized training to understand and program hearing aids, cochlear implants, bone-anchored hearing aids, hearing assistive listening devices, and more​
Hearing Instrument Specialists (HIS)
  • High school graduate or two-year college degree and has received training and passed their state examination for the dispensing of hearing devices only
  • Hearing health professional 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.
  • ​Are not qualified to 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.

Purchasing a Prescription Hearing Aid from a Professional Dispenser - A Consumer Checklist

BE SURE to ASK for a TELECOIL in your hearing device! 
Read why this is  the most important feature in a hearing aids here!
To view a printable checklist, click here
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Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids (OTC) and What You Need to Know

Purchasing Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

In 2022, the FDA approved over-the-counter hearing aids to be sold directly to consumers online and in stores that sell them without needing a medical exam, prescription, or professional fitting.  

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They are designed for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss only.  Is an OTC Right for You?  Click here for information and recorded webinars.

OTC Shopping Checklist - click here
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Interview with Debbie Mohney, ​HLAA Colorado State Chapter Coordinator
By Katie Pelton, KKTV 11 News.Colorado Springs
Used by Permission

​Click here for video

​Colorado Springs KKTV 11 News’, Katie Pelton, sat down with Debbie Mohney, the Colorado State Chapter Coordinator  of Hearing Loss Association of America and Boulder Chapter President, to discuss who is a good candidate for over-the-counter hearing aids and what people should know if considering getting them.  ​Below is their full conversation:
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KATIE PELTON: TELL US ABOUT THE HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA AND YOUR ROLE WITH THE BOULDER CHAPTER IN OUR STATE. YOU ARE ALSO THE COLORADO STATE CHAPTER COORDINATOR?
     Debbie: “Hearing Loss Association of America, also known as HLAA, is a non-profit organization focused on consumers who have hearing loss. Their website has a wealth of information about hearing loss and technology to help people hear better, and they do a lot of advocacy to ensure that we have access to technology, including over-the-counter hearing aids. “I’m the President of the HLAA - Boulder chapter. I do have hearing loss; I’m a consumer. We have four chapters in Colorado: Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver and Western Colorado.”
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PELTON: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ROLLOUT OF OVER-THE-COUNTER HEARING AIDS?
     Debbie: “I’m excited because over-the-counter hearing aids mean adults with mild to moderate hearing loss will have more choices. They won’t have to see a doctor or hearing health care provider first. “In our chapter, I’ve had people come to us with mild hearing loss; they know they aren’t hearing well, but when they go to the audiologist, they don’t have enough hearing loss to qualify for hearing aids. Access to the over-the-counter hearing aids mean that they can start using hearing aids earlier and adjust to them before their hearing loss gets worse. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to other serious illnesses, isolation and cognitive decline. “It’s important also for consumers to learn about over-the-counter hearing aids and check for return policies before purchasing.”

PELTON: WHO WOULD THESE HELP? IS THIS MAINLY FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE MILD HEARING LOSS?
     Debbie: “Over-the-counter hearing aids are aimed at people with mild to moderate hearing loss. If someone is on the fence about hearing aids, this could be a really good first step.”

PELTON: WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR FOLKS WHO MAY BE CONSIDERING THE DEVICES? DO YOU THINK THEY SHOULD SEE AN AUDIOLOGIST SPECIALIST FIRST? I’M SURE IT’S IMPORTANT TO GET THE CORRECT KIND.
     Devvie: “I always urge people to see their ENT -- ear, nose and throat doctor -- and an audiologist, and it never hurts to have a baseline hearing test. If there’s something more serious going on, it’s also better to catch that, too.”

PELTON: HEARING LOSS IMPACTS A LOT OF AMERICANS. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO MAY BE ON THE FENCE ABOUT REACHING OUT TO THEIR DOCTOR?
     Debbie: “I’m a big advocate about learning all you can about hearing loss. It’s important to know that primary doctors may not know much about hearing loss, and it’s not common for doctors to ask their patients either. If you or others around you notice you’re not hearing well, it’s time to have your hearing checked out. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to do something about it. The earlier you can start getting used to hearing aids, the better.”

For more information on over-the-counter hearing aids, click here. Copyright 2022 KKTV. All rights reserved.