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Hearing Instrument Specialist

If you want to help people overcome hearing loss and improve quality of life, hearing instrument specialist could be just the profession for you.

In this program, you’ll learn how to test and analyze hearing; educate patients; and prescribe, fit and service hearing aids and instruments. Courses explore physiology and anatomy of the auditory system and provide social and technical training in the field. When you complete the program, you will have met all educational requirements to pursue state licensing as a duly authorized hearing aid/instrument specialist.

This two-year program is designed to prepare hearing instrument specialists for immediate employment in the hearing health care industry. Graduates of the Hearing Instrument Specialist program are equipped for a wide variety of careers in the industry; including:

  • Hearing Aid Specialist 
  • Hearing Aid Dispenser
  • Hearing Aid Fitter
  • Hearing Aid Technician
  • Hearing Aid Consultant
  • Hearing Tester
  • Hearing Aid Clinician
  • Audiology Assistant 
  • ENT Assistant

The best part is, the investment in this degree up-front is very reasonable. Please see approximate costs in the chart below.

HIS PROGRAM COSTS (6 QUARTERS)
Resident Tuition $10,164
Lab & Course Fees $781
Books (average) $702
Institutional Fees $1,510
TOTAL $13,157

What You’ll Learn

  • Assess the presenting problems and needs of hearing aid patients
  • Test and analyze hearing
  • Prescribe and analyze hearing aids
  • Fit, adjust and service hearing aids
  • Educate patients and maintain professional relationships

You and your advisor will use this program map as a starting point to create a personal education plan customized to your needs. We meet you where you are and help you reach your goals.
Need more details? Check out the requirements for the Hearing Instrument Specialist AAS degree. Course descriptions and course learning outcomes can be found in our online catalogue.

Program Map for

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Total Credits: 97

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
HIS 101
Basic Hearing Instrument Sciences
4
HIS 104
Hearing Physiology and Anatomy
4
HIS 106
Healthcare and Business Ethics
4
Total Credits
 
12

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
HIS 123
Basic Audiometrics
5
HIS 125
Auditory Disorders
4
HIS 127
Hearing Healthcare Management I
4
Total Credits
 
13

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
HIS 134
Advanced Audiometrics
5
HIS 136
Hearing Instrument Technologies
4
HIS 138
Ear Couplers and Assistive Technologies
5
Choose 1 course from:
BUS 280
Human Relations in Business
5
CMST& 101
Introduction to Communication
5
CMST& 210
Interpersonal Communication
5
CMST& 220
Public Speaking
5
Total Credits
 
19

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ENGL& 101
English Composition I
5
HIS 201
Hearing Healthcare Management II
4
HIS 206
Hearing Instrument Specialist Laboratory I
4
HIS 250
Perspectives on Disabilities
4
Total Credits
 
17

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
HIS 210
Clinical Methods I
5
HIS 213
Marketing/Sales
4
HIS 215
Hearing Instrument Specialist Laboratory II
5
Choose 1 course from:
BUS 123
Practical Business Math Applications
5
MATH& 107
Math in Society
5
Total Credits
 
19

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
HIS 205
Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
5
HIS 222
Clinical Methods II
6
HIS 266
Cooperative Education Seminar
1
HIS 267
Cooperative Education Work Experience
5
Total Credits
 
17

Maximum estimated costs for completing this program

  • Tuition

  • Resident

    $
    10,433

  • Non-Resident

    $
    18,258

  • International

    $
    23,584

  • Books

    $
    1,916

  • Course Fees

    $
    1,890

  • Institutional Fees

    $
    1,571

  • The amounts listed for tuition and lab & course fees reflects a maximum estimated cost and may be lower based on courses selected.
  • The amount listed for books is a maximum estimated cost based on the price of new textbooks purchased during the previous school year. Costs may be lower based on student choices and availability (used books vs new, rental vs purchase).
  • For more information about costs, visit our page How Much Does It Cost?

  • Melissa Butterfield
    Melissa Butterfield
    Hearing Instru Specialist
    B.A., Washington State University
    Melissa.Butterfield@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-4325
  • Chantal Hammers
    Chantal Hammers
    Hearing Instru Specialist
    A.A., A.A.S., Spokane Falls Community College; B.A., Eastern Washington University; M.A., Washington State University
    Chantal.Hammers@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3258
  • Kristi Johnson
    Kristi Johnson
    Instr&Classroom Supt Tch2
    Kristi.Johnson@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-4326
  • Laura Woods
    Laura Woods
    Counselor
    B.A., St. Bonaventure University; M.S., Eastern Washington University
    Laura.Woods@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3530

Pre-requisites: No
Number of students each start: 28
Contact: Kristi.Johnson@sfcc.spokane.edu
Applications deadline: The eligibility process begins every October. The date the eligibility forms are received by the program, establishes placement and waitlist status.
Notes: This is a low-residency program, meaning: A) Students in the Spokane area complete lab work on the SFCC campus. B) Students not within commuting distance need to find a licensed hearing instrument specialist to supervise their lab activities.
(The lab hours start winter quarter of the first year and continue through the sixth quarter.) 
All students are required to visit campus three times each year - once per quarter for three days. These visits are REQUIRED for practical testing. Distance students are REQUIRED to have a guaranteed mentor in place to secure their seat in the program.

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Chantal Hammers

Program Director
chantal.hammers@sfcc.spokane.edu
509-533-3258
 

Laura Woods

Counselor
laura.woods@sfcc.spokane.edu
509-533-3530
 

Māpuana Carey

Pathways Specialist
mapuana.carey@sfcc.spokane.edu
509-533-3502
Building 19, Office 106