Hearing Instrument Specialist

A hearing aid is a device designed to improve hearing by making sound audible to a person with hearing loss. Hearing aids are classified as medical devices in most countries, and regulated by the respective regulations. Small audio amplifiers such as PSAPs or other plain sound reinforcing systems cannot be sold as "hearing aids".

Early devices, such as ear trumpets or ear horns, were passive amplification cones designed to gather sound energy and direct it into the ear canal. Modern devices are computerised electroacoustic systems that transform environmental sound to make it audible, according to audiometrical and cognitive rules. Modern devices also utilize sophisticated digital signal processing to try and improve speech intelligibility and comfort for the user. Such signal processing includes feedback management, wide dynamic range compression, directionality, frequency lowering, and noise reduction.

Modern hearing aids require configuration to match the hearing loss, physical features, and lifestyle of the wearer. This process is called "fitting" and is performed by audiologists. The amount of benefit a hearing aid delivers depends in large part on the quality of its fitting. Almost all hearing aids in use in the US are digital hearing aids. Devices similar to hearing aids include the osseointegrated auditory prosthesis (formerly called the bone-anchored hearing aid) and cochlear implant.

* Description and images provided by Wikipedia under CC-BY-SA 3.0 license .

Matching Hearing Instrument Specialist Colleges

Spokane Falls Community College

Four or more years; Public; $7,684 average out-state tuition; $2,747 average in-state tuition

Ozarks Technical Community College

At least 2 but less than 4 years; Public; $4,752 average out-state tuition; $3,564 average in-state tuition

Bates Technical College

At least 2 but less than 4 years; Public; $9,150 average out-state tuition; $3,732 average in-state tuition

Scholarships for Hearing Instrument Specialist Majors

Bullet name award deadline Link
 

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Up to $30,000 Varies See Details
 

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

award

Up to $30,000

deadline

Varies
See Details
 

NEXT for Autism Fellowship

NEXT for Autism, Inc.

Up to $10,000 June 12, 2023 See Details
 

NEXT for Autism Fellowship

NEXT for Autism, Inc.

award

Up to $10,000

deadline

June 12, 2023
See Details
 

Kaiser Permanente Health Equity Scholarship

UNCF, Inc

Up to $5,000 June 14, 2023 See Details
 

Kaiser Permanente Health Equity Scholarship

UNCF, Inc

award

Up to $5,000

deadline

June 14, 2023
See Details
 

Panacea Financial Medical School Scholarship

Panacea Financial

$5,000 June 30, 2023 See Details
 

Panacea Financial Medical School Scholarship

Panacea Financial

award

$5,000

deadline

June 30, 2023
See Details
 

HFA Eric Delson Memorial Scholarship

Hemophilia Federation of America

$5,000 August 01, 2023 See Details
 

HFA Eric Delson Memorial Scholarship

Hemophilia Federation of America

award

$5,000

deadline

August 01, 2023
See Details
 

Military Spouse Scholarship

Western Governors University

Up to $4,000 Varies See Details
 

Military Spouse Scholarship

Western Governors University

award

Up to $4,000

deadline

Varies
See Details
 

MedicareFAQ Scholarship

Elite Insurance Partners

$2,500 June 16, 2023 See Details
 

MedicareFAQ Scholarship

Elite Insurance Partners

award

$2,500

deadline

June 16, 2023
See Details
 

Sabra Stevens Scholarship

State Fair Community College

Up to $2,500 September 15, 2023 See Details
 

Sabra Stevens Scholarship

State Fair Community College

award

Up to $2,500

deadline

September 15, 2023
See Details
 

Donohue Family SkillPointe Scholarship

SkillPointe Foundation

$2,000 Varies See Details
 

Donohue Family SkillPointe Scholarship

SkillPointe Foundation

award

$2,000

deadline

Varies
See Details
 

Delta Dental Oral Health and Wellness Scholarship

Association of the United States Army

$2,000 June 16, 2023 See Details
 

Delta Dental Oral Health and Wellness Scholarship

Association of the United States Army

award

$2,000

deadline

June 16, 2023
See Details