Audiologist or Hearing Instrument Specialist? Know The Facts
Nov 16, 2021

Selecting a hearing care provider is an important decision. Why? Because finding the most qualified and dependable professional can mean the difference between being successful and satisfied with your hearing aids…or not. 


No doubt, you choose other health care professionals—your general practitioner, ophthalmologist, cardiologist, podiatrist, just to name a few—very carefully. Your hearing care professional is no different. Perhaps what makes the process most challenging are the many choices—from types of care providers to brands, levels and styles of hearing technology. Information can be confusing, even contradictory. Being educated about modern hearing healthcare and hearing aids allows you to make the most informed decision for your best outcome. 


Here’s what you need to know about the two kinds of professionals—audiologists and hearing instrument specialists—who are licensed to sell and fit hearing aids in the states Johnson Audiology serves—Tennessee and Georgia.


TWO TYPES OF HEARING CARE PROVIDERS: VERY DIFFERENT CREDENTIALS


An Audiologist’s credentials

Audiologists complete extensive university coursework to receive a clinical doctor-ate in audiology, earning their bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees over the course of eight years.


Through extensive graduate level coursework, what do they learn:

  • The neural pathways for transmission of sound from the inner ear to the cortex of the brain
  • Diagnostic testing for hearing loss, tinnitus, hyperacusis and other hearing-related disorders
  • The circuitry and components of a hearing aid and how to choose brand, style, and fit tailored to the individual patient
  • Assistive technology devices and how those can dovetail with a patient’s hearing aids and elevate the hearing experience
  • Theories of tinnitus and sound perception
  • Ear and hearing dysfunction and appropriate treatment options
  • Hearing conservation programs
  • Acoustic and digital modification strategies for hearing instruments
  • Inner ear balance disorders
  • Counseling techniques for patients and their family members regarding hearing loss and intervention. 
  • How to cultivate critical thinking skills and lifelong learning related to hearing function, amplification strategies, and tinnitus management
  • How to concentrate on superior patient care with compassionate counseling 


Throughout their graduate-level study, Audiologists are supervised in clinical rotations for all age levels in the following settings:

  • University clinic
  • Hospital
  • Public school system
  • Otolaryngology/ENT practices
  • Veteran’s Administration
  • Private practice


During each semester of the four-year graduate school enrollment, a student will:

  • Participate in 12 hours of coursework in addition to six hours of clinical work with patients
  • Routinely participate in clinical work with aural rehabilitation therapy to gain a better understanding of the work performed by their speech-language pathology colleagues
  • Log nearly 2,000 patient contact hours during their fourth year of graduate study, in addition to their previous hours acquired during their first three years of graduate study


Applicants for licensure as an Audiologist in Tennessee must: 

  • Earn a doctoral degree with an emphasis in audiology from an accredited institution
  • Have a current certificate of clinical competence (CCC-A) from American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and/or complete 1,820 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum by a licensed or certified audiologist and pass the Praxis exam for audiology.
  • Complete ten hours of continuing education every year to maintain their license. 


A hearing Instrument specialist’s training

A dispenser/hearing instrument specialist (HIS) is the second professional permitted to sell and issue hearing aids in Tennessee and Georgia. 


For initial apprentice licensure, an HIS must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have two years of college coursework in any subject (does not have to be in audiology or a related subject)
  • Pass a written exam


Upon apprenticeship completion, an HIS must: 

  • function under the direct supervision of a sponsoring, licensed hearing instrument specialist (HIS) for at least three months
  • Complete 60 hours of classroom coursework


A HIS must: 

  • Complete 20 hours of continuing education during the two calendar years that precede the licensure renewal year with two hours of the 20-hour requirement pertaining to state statutes and rules concerning hearing instrument specialists.


As you consider who you want to trust as your lifelong partner on your journey to healthier hearing. ask yourself these questions:


  • Which hearing provider—an Audiologist or a HIS—has the highest level of education?


  • Which provider has shown the greatest evidence of commitment to his or her field through time and personal resources invested in honing knowledge and skills?


  • Which provider spends the most time working with patients in a supervised, training setting before being credentialed to work with those with hearing loss solo?


  • Which type of provider routinely verifies and files your insurance benefits for hearing health care?


  • Which provider conducts a full diagnostic hearing test in a rated, sound-proof booth?


Misconceptions and Facts


Misconception

  • An Audiologist’s education concentrates on the diagnostic procedures rather than hearing aid fitting.

Fact

  • Audiologists formally study hearing aid technologies from multiple manufacturers while in graduate school and continue to do so throughout their careers. Notably, most of the professionals from the hearing aid manufacturers that lead trainings are degreed audiologists not hearing instrument specialists.


Misconception

  • Hearing instrument specialists offer the same type of hearing tests as an audiologist

Fact

  • Hearing instrument specialists are not licensed to perform audiological exams. Therefore, their assessments are not considered diagnostic hearing tests but rather basic hearing screenings. Audiologists, however, do full audiologic testing in a rated, sound-proof booth. Audiologists are also trained and licensed to conduct diagnostic testing specifically for those with tinnitus and for patients who are candidates for cochlear implantation, testing which hearing instruments specialists cannot legally perform.


Misconception

  • Hearing instrument specialists offer free hearing tests because they care more about their customers

Fact

  • Most audiologists offer patients the benefit and convenience of filing the patient’s diagnostic hearing test to Medicare, which covers testing. Notably, it is insurance fraud for an Audiologist to bill Medicare for one patient and then provide a free evaluation for another patient. Therefore, audiologists cannot legally provide free hearing testing if they are a Medicare provider. Since most hearing dispensers offer “free” testing this automatically means they are not working with Medicare so customers lose out on that benefit. 


Here are some tips when searching for your hearing care professional:


  • Ask for the provider’s credentials. A doctor of audiology has the credentials Au.D. following his or her name. If you see HIS following the person’s name, you know that person is a minimally trained hearing instrument specialist.
  • Look for an Audiologist who works with several hearing aid manufacturers so that your technology can be tailored to your unique hearing loss. 
  • Ask if you are entitled to a trial period. Each patient is a unique individual. You deserve to work with a professional who spends times assessing and addressing your personal hearing concerns, goals, desires and budget. 
  • Do not buy hearing aids by mail or internet that claim patients do not need direct contact with their hearing health-care professional. 

Move from the Gunbarrel Road office to a new and larger office will allow Johnson Audiology to help even more people in the Chattanooga region

By Jan Hollingsworth • 09 Jan, 2024
Johnson Audiology is pleased to announce that the practice will be moving one of its Chattanooga area offices from its current location on Gunbarrel Road to a new location at 6830 Lee Highway. The move will take place January 15. “We are extremely excited to be re-locating to a much larger space later this month,” Dr. Megan Johnson, founder and owner of the award-winning practice, says. “About a year ago, we realized that we needed more room to meet the needs of our growing patient base so we could help even more people with hearing loss. We sought a place that would allow us to stay in the East Brainerd/Hamilton Place area so that the office would still be conveniently located for patients. Our Hixson office will remain at 5617 Highway 153, Suite 203 and is also being upgraded with a second sound booth and beautiful new decor. These two strategically located offices mean that we can continue to serve patients who live east and west of the Tennessee River.” Dr. Johnson says that when she identified the building on Lee Highway, she knew it was an ideal site for this next growth leap. “Our company culture is anchored on the premise of always offering an exceptional patient experience,” she says. “Thanks to our wonderful family of Johnson Audiology patients, we have outgrown our current office and have found the perfect location for offering the best care to even more of our Chattanooga neighbors.” The new location offers many positive features that will benefit patients: The office is conveniently located off Lee Highway in the area between Shallowford Road and Hickory Valley Road, directly behind Dr. Keith B. Dressler’s orthodontic practice. It is a stand-alone office that is not shared with any other businesses. The building is more than 4,000 square feet, which is double the space of the current office on Gunbarrel Road. The added square footage will accommodate a spacious patient welcome and reception area, three sound booths for hearing testing, and a private area for patient check-out. The building has exam rooms for four full time audiologists and an audiology assistant, a large front desk area, and a sizeable lab for hearing aid maintenance and repair. The office has ample space for the practice’s growing Cochlear Implant (CI) Program with a dedicated sound booth and exam area just for CI patients. The building design allows for easy circular patient flow throughout the office. The building has a dedicated, 20-space parking lot just for Johnson Audiology patients and additional parking for Johnson Audiology staff. Dr. Johnson mentions that the building was a non-medical office previously, so updates were needed to bring it up to par for a bustling hearing health care clinic. It currently is being remodeled, and the parking lot resurfaced. “We have plans to transition to the new building by January 15 with some final touches to the office’s aesthetics continuing through the spring,” she says.  Dr. Johnson wishes to assure folks that measures are in place to alleviate disruption to the service patients receive during this time and thanks patients in advance for their continued support and understanding during the transition. “The new office is going to be incredible!” she says. Initial correspondence has been delivered to patients about the move. Dr. Johnson says, “Patients who have appointments scheduled in early January or those who need walk-in service for hearing aid maintenance and supplies from now until January 15 should continue visiting the Gunbarrel Road location.” Dr. Johnson says, “In February, we will invite our friends and neighbors in the Chattanooga community to an open house celebration, where we will do an official reveal of the new space!” Johnson Audiology has been faithfully serving the citizens of Chattanooga since the practice opened its doors on October 1, 2009. “As we prepare to celebrate our 15th anniversary this year, the new office location on Lee Highway and the upgrades to the Hixson office are evidence of our commitment to patients.” Dr. Johnson goes on to say, “Chattanoogans have named Johnson Audiology Best of the Best in the category of Favorite Audiologist and Hearing Aid Clinic for 11 years straight. And they consistently name Johnson Audiology in the top three in the category of Best Customer Service among all Chattanooga businesses. We seek to live up to those accolades daily!” Dr. Johnson concludes, “One of our patients, Mr. Van Tenpenny, recently had this to say about us: ‘My visit to Johnson Audiology has been life changing! After decades of hearing loss, I am able to hear normal conversations in any environment.’ It is our highest ideal to be here for Mr. Tenpenny and the thousands of other patients like him who prioritize their hearing for the best quality of life.” Do you want to get on the road to healthy hearing? Johnson Audiology is currently accepting new patients at all locations. Call today to schedule an appointment or book online at www.johnsonaudiology.com/schedule.

What is Tinnitus? Causes and Symptoms

15 Aug, 2023
Tinnitus, often described as a persistent ringing or buzzing sound in the ears, is a common auditory phenomenon that affects millions of people worldwide. While tinnitus is not a disease itself, it can be a symptom of an underlying issue. At Johnson Audiology, we are committed to helping you understand tinnitus and guiding you through the steps to manage this often-distressing condition. Understanding Tinnitus Tinnitus can vary in intensity and pitch, and it may present as a constant sound or come and go intermittently. It can be caused by a range of factors, including exposure to loud noise, age-related hearing loss, earwax blockage, and even certain medications. Tinnitus can impact your quality of life, leading to sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and emotional distress. Steps to Manage Tinnitus Consult an Audiologist: If you're experiencing tinnitus, the first step is to seek professional help. A university-trained audiologist, a hearing health specialist, can conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your tinnitus and its impact on your hearing. Identify Underlying Causes: Tinnitus often has an underlying cause, such as hearing loss, a medical condition, or exposure to loud noise. An audiologist can help identify these causes and recommend appropriate treatment options. Customized Treatment Plans: Based on the evaluation, your audiologist will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Treatment approaches may include: Hearing Aids: If hearing loss is contributing to your tinnitus, hearing aids can help by amplifying external sounds and reducing the perception of the tinnitus. More than 90% of those who have tinnitus, also, have hearing loss, even if the loss is mild. Sound Therapy: Sound therapy involves using external sounds, such as white noise or nature sounds, to mask or distract from the tinnitus noise. Counseling: Counseling and education can help you better understand tinnitus and learn coping strategies to manage its impact on your daily life. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): TRT combines sound therapy and counseling to help you habituate to the tinnitus and reduce its perception over time. Lifestyle Modifications: Your audiologist may recommend lifestyle changes, such as managing stress, avoiding loud noise exposure, and adopting healthy sleep habits. Monitor and Adjust: Tinnitus management is an ongoing process. Regular follow-up appointments with your audiologist allow for adjustments to treatment plans based on your progress and changing needs. Seek Support: Tinnitus can be emotionally distressing. It is important to seek support from friends, family, and even support groups where you can connect with others who are experiencing similar challenges. While tinnitus can be disruptive, understanding the condition and taking proactive steps to manage it can lead to improved quality of life. At Johnson Audiology, our dedicated team of audiologists is here to guide you through the journey of tinnitus management, providing the expertise and support you need to find relief and regain control over your hearing health. Contact us today to take the first step toward a more peaceful and harmonious auditory experience.
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