FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., June 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Hearing Society (IHS) kicked off its "Help Hearing" campaign while serving as one of 171 exhibitors at the Health Occupations Students of America's (HOSA's) International Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, from June 18-20, 2025. "Help Hearing" is designed to grow awareness of the Hearing Aid Specialist profession, which has been noted as a Top Job by U.S. News and World Report. The HOSA conference attracted more than 14,000 attendees, including teachers and students who are aspiring healthcare professionals. Students engaged in learning and competitions in a bustling expo hall where IHS provided an interactive exhibit experience that included live video otoscopy demonstrations and earmold impression making. Of particular note, Hearing Aid Specialist Blake Cordell, MBA, BC-HIS, and IHS Executive Director Alissa Parady, CAE, delivered a presentation about the Hearing Aid Specialist profession.

A Hearing Aid Specialist is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in evaluating and addressing hearing health. Below are some of the important duties Hearing Aid Specialists perform¹:

• Administer hearing evaluations and hearing screenings.
• Identify common types of hearing loss.
• Recommend, order the use of, dispense, and adjust hearing aids.
• Perform tests to confirm the fit and function of hearing aids.
• Provide counseling to patients and their families to optimize success with hearing aids and communication.
• And more!

Why should someone consider this career? Parady said, "The opportunities are vast; the demand for professionals is high, and it's a great option for anyone who wants a meaningful healthcare career without the long college path." The Hearing Aid Specialist profession has made several U.S. News & World Report Top Jobs lists, including being the number one job without a college degree in 2024. While there are over 10,000 Hearing Aid Specialists practicing worldwide, more than 500 million people are expected to have hearing loss requiring rehabilitation by 2030, with those numbers expected to increase to 711 million by 2050². IHS is working to increase the accessibility of professionals available for those experiencing hearing loss by growing the pipeline of trainees.

Are you interested in moving forward, but don't know where to start? Here are some steps to get started:

• Explore what Hearing Aid Specialists do and how they help people hear better every day. Learn more here!
• Choose your path: on-the-job training OR a college program. Learn more about these options here.
• Going the on-the-job training approach? Get connected with an employer through IHS' Find a Provider tool, or look for the IHS Career Center, launching this summer.
• Enroll in IHS' Distance Learning Course (on-the-job training) while learning hands-on from licensed professionals OR begin your college program.
• Pass your exams. Every state or province is different, but most require a written exam like the International Licensing Examination (ILE), and a practical, hands-on exam. Reach out to your State/Province's Licensing Agency to learn more about their requirements.

If you're an aspiring healthcare professional or looking for a career change, IHS encourages you to explore the meaningful work of Hearing Aid Specialists. Helping people stay connected to their family, friends, and the world around them, will not only change your patients' lives, but yours as well.

Resources

1. About Hearing Aid Specialists - International Hearing Society
2. Hearing Aids Statistics 2024 By Manufacturers And Countries

About the International Hearing Society

The International Hearing Society (IHS) is a membership association that represents hearing healthcare professionals worldwide, including hearing aid specialists. IHS members are engaged in the practice of performing hearing assessments, selecting, ordering the use of, fitting, and dispensing hearing instruments, counseling patients, and providing aftercare services. Founded in 1951, IHS protects, represents, and promotes the interests of hearing healthcare and hearing healthcare professionals. For more information visit www.ihsinfo.org.

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SOURCE International Hearing Society