A hearing instrument specialist (HIS) is a professional who specializes in conducting basic hearing tests to determine if hearing aids are necessary. They are trained to fit hearing aids and assistive listening devices, as well as provide counseling on their use. HIS professionals complete a certification program, meet state requirements, and undergo extensive supervised training before obtaining their license. They are also required to complete annual continuing education to maintain their expertise.

Hearing instrument specialists are experts in hearing technology and assistive listening devices. Their services typically include fitting hearing aids, conducting hearing tests and evaluations, repairing hearing aids, providing counseling on hearing aid selection, and recommending appropriate assistive listening devices.

Hearing loss often develops gradually, and others may notice it before you do. If you experience symptoms such as difficulty understanding speech, frequently asking people to repeat themselves, or increasing the volume on your TV or radio, you may have hearing loss. Other signs include struggling to hear in noisy environments, missing environmental sounds, and finding it easier to understand people when you can see their faces. If you notice these symptoms, it's advisable to consult a hearing instrument specialist for an evaluation.

Hearing loss can result from various factors, including the natural aging process, exposure to loud noises, certain medications, infections, head or ear trauma, genetic factors, and certain diseases. It's estimated that approximately 20 percent of adults in the United States, or about 48 million people, experience some degree of hearing loss. In most cases, hearing loss occurs gradually over time.

Hearing loss is diagnosed through a formal hearing evaluation conducted by a hearing instrument specialist. This evaluation includes a hearing test and a review of your symptoms. The results are plotted on a graph called an audiogram, which provides a visual representation of your hearing abilities across different frequencies, particularly those crucial for speech comprehension. Based on these results and your reported symptoms, the specialist can recommend the most appropriate hearing aid or treatment for your specific needs.