Hearing Instrument Specialist vs. Dispenser

If you're in the early stages of managing your hearing loss, you may have come across a variety of different professional terms, including hearing instrument specialist, hearing aid dispenser and audiologist. While they are all involved in the fields of hearing loss and hearing aids, they have different roles. Let's look at each of them in turn.

What is a hearing instrument specialist?

A hearing instrument specialist is a professional who assesses people who have already been diagnosed with hearing problems and tries to match them up to the correct assistive hearing device. Most hearing instrument specialists deal with age-related hearing loss – sometimes called sensorineural hearing loss. 

The testing capabilities of hearing instrument specialists, however, are more limited than those of audiologists. Furthermore, hearing instrument specialists can't diagnose conditions associated with the ear. All that they can do is test the ear for hearing loss and use that information to recommend an appropriate hearing aid.

The primary role of a hearing instrument specialist is to match up patients with suitable hearing aids. A HIS will take into consideration the following factors: 

• The patient's preferences for the style of hearing aid that they would like to wear.
• The functions that the patient’s needs – for instance, the level of amplification, WiFi connectivity, or the ability to use directional microphones
• The severity of the patient's hearing loss – some models of hearing aids will be better than others

After the hearing aid selection comes the fitting. A hearing instrument specialist helps to calibrate the hearing aid, setting it up for the needs of the specific wearer. This could involve things like adjusting the settings and ensuring that the device is the right size and shape for the patient. 

What is a hearing aid dispenser? 

A hearing aid dispenser is slightly different. Hearing aid dispensers or HADs, are qualified clinicians who can carry out hearing tests and provide patients with aftercare for hearing aids. 

The primary purpose of their activity is similar to that of a hearing instrument specialist. They help people set up their hearing aids to hear everyday sounds around them, like a conversation or the ringing of a doorbell. 

The hearing aid dispenser works with the patient to discover the ideal combination of setting for their hearing aid and can answer questions the patient may have about the device.

Those who work in hospitals have three functions: they test whether a person might need hearing aids, help them find suitable devices, and offer ongoing support where necessary. 

Those who work in retail outlets sell hearing aids and offer support to adults with hearing loss. 

What is an audiologist?

An audiologist is the most comprehensive provider of hearing care. They have advanced-level education and degrees, and are trained on not just identifying and treating hearing loss, but the anatomy of the auditory system as well. They can provide you with a detailed examination and explanation of your hearing loss, and can treat other conditions such as: tinnitus, balance disorders and earwax impactions.

Audiologists can help you with a wide range of hearing loss problems and will test to identify the cause, whether it is related to noise, aging or trauma. Additionally, some hearing loss can be temporary and caused by something like an earwax impaction or medication. An audiologist will perform a comprehensive look into your medical background and a physical examination of your ear, looking for any possible sources of hearing issues.

After diagnosing your hearing loss, audiologists are also well-versed in providing the advice you need to select the best hearing aid for your needs. They will discuss the following styles with you:

• Behind the ear (BTE)
• In the ear (ITE)
• In the canal (ITC)
• Invisible in canal (IIC)
• Completely in canal (CIC)

During your selection of hearing aid styles, they will also discuss any features you may benefit from, including Bluetooth, noise reduction and directional microphones. Once you have been fitted with your hearing aids, your audiologist can provide ongoing support as well, through detailed cleanings of your devices and repairs.

The difference between a hearing instrument specialist and a dispenser are not as vast as you might think. The real step-change is between them and audiologists who are qualified medical doctors able to diagnose and treat hearing loss and other conditions related to the ear. 

If you want to find out more about any of the hearing health professionals discussed above or book an appointment, get in touch with the Physicians Hearing Center today by calling (334) 441-4090 now.