1. Hearing Aid Dispenser is a highly demanding career
in the coming years. Historically, our longevity has
been expanding rapidly since 1950. In addition,
baby boomers, who were born in 1945 to 1965, are
now aged at 50 or more, and their numbers are
more than 70 million. As more people are getting
older, their listening abilities are either decreasing or
getting damaged by aging, internal, or external
reasons. As more people need professional help for
their hearing problems, more hearing related
professionals are needed now and in the future.
Many people have hearing related problems, but the
numbers of dispensers in the US are actually
decreasing because recruitment is not effectively
done by various government agencies. For example,
the number of new Hearing Aid Dispensers in
California is less than 70 compared to 4,300 new
lawyers in 2010. Hearing aid dispensing is a great
medical related business in terms of income and
business nature. Many positive aspects can be
summarized such as no labor intensive work,
flexible working hours, very minimal inventory or no
inventory needed, advanced technology intensive
2. business, career for all ages, and high profit margin
expected. Not many people have knowledge about
the nature of this business, but if you pay attention
to this, you will find very attractive aspects as your
long-term career. First of all, this career is a highly
recognized career in society. It is an absolutely
professional career. All government agencies
acknowledge this career as a professional career
and many people consider a HAD as an ear doctor.
Secondly, this will be a career for all ages. In many
different medical sectors, age sometimes acts as a
significant factor. However, in this area, age will be
the smallest factor because the majority of your
clients are elderly. So, age has small effect in
hearing aids dispensing. If you are a household wife,
health related employee, nurse, early retiree, young
student, mid-aged office worker, man or woman; you
can become a dispenser if you pass the written and
practical exam. Thirdly, this can be a long-term
career. Hearing loss is not just a physical symptom
or disorder; rather, it significantly affects an
individualÂ’s psychology. Many people who have
hearing loss tend to express low self-esteem,
rejection, avoid meeting new people, they simply
withdraw from others. They live with a psychological
burden from their hearing loss. Thus, the trust
created between clients and dispenser can be a
core element in your dispensing activities. If you
care enough for your clients, they tend to be your
lifetime customers. It will eventually lead to your
long-term career. Lastly, this career generates a
stable income. All medical and health related jobs
are very secure in income. The average income of a
dispenser in the US is about 70K, and independent
private dispensers as store owners make more than
100K. Before you prepare anything for the
3. examination, I strongly recommend you to call or
visit the website of the Hearing Aid Dispenser
bureau or any appropriate department in your state
to make sure what kinds of requirement you need to
fulfill. Some states require you to have a certain
training period under the supervision of an ENT
doctor, Audiologist, or Hearing Aid Dispenser in a
form of sponsor. However, some states do not
require any training period such as Texas and
California. Each state has different requirements.
Also, many states accept the California license as a
legitimate license to do any practice in that state, so
you need to check that option, too. If you have a
difficult time obtaining any sponsorship, this can be
another option. The minimum educational
qualification for the test being the dispenser is only a
high school diploma or equivalent degree. After you
finish the basic research for the requirement, you
will need to download written exam application. Fill
out all the required fields, finalize the procedure, and
send it to the dept. with all fees. The approval
process may take 4 to 6 weeks depending on the
state. In the mean time, you need to prepare and
study for the written exam. For preparation of the
written exam, you may do the following: 1. Find a
medium level Audiology book in the internet or book
store. 2. Find any written and practical exam
material in the internet or book store. 3. Visit PSI
website for any recommendation of the book with
the related subjects. You may spend 2 to 3 months
to get ready for the first written exam. If you pass the
exam, you will need to prepare for the practical
exam. The practical exam in most states is
composed of 3 parts, Audiometric testing, Ear
impression, and Post-fitting care. There are more
detailed sub-categories. Give at least 3 months to
4. get used to the practical examination procedure. For
preparation of the practical examination, you may do
following: 1. Call or visit a local Hearing Aid
Dispenser office to ask for minimal training. You
never know, sometimes a good person may help
you. 2. Call reputed hearing aid manufacturers and
find if they offer any practical exam training. 3. Buy a
DVD made for the practical examination in the
internet. As soon as you pass the examination, you
can work any in Audiologist office, private office,
franchiser, or Costco hearing aid center. Hearing Aid
Dispenser will be your great career. We wish you
pass the exam.
http://hearingloss-hearingaids.com/hearing-aids/
