Hearing Instrument Specialist
Also written as: HIS — Hearing Instrument Specialist
A licensed or certified professional trained to fit, dispense, and provide basic follow-up care for hearing aids, but with a narrower clinical scope than an audiologist.
Full Definition
A hearing instrument specialist (HIS) is a credentialed professional who evaluates hearing for the purpose of selecting and fitting amplification devices, typically under a scope of practice that does not extend to the full diagnostic and rehabilitation remit of an audiologist. Qualification requirements, titles, and regulatory oversight vary by country and jurisdiction. In the United States, the credential is awarded by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS). Editors must be careful not to use 'hearing instrument specialist' and 'audiologist' interchangeably; the distinction has professional, legal, and editorial significance, particularly in policy documents, patient rights literature, and research papers that specify clinician qualifications.
Usage
Usage note: Do not use interchangeably with 'audiologist.' The two credentials carry different educational requirements and scopes of practice. Abbreviate as HIS only after defining the full term.
In Context
- "The patient was referred to a hearing instrument specialist for device fitting following confirmation of the diagnosis by an audiologist." — Clinical referral letter
- "The policy document must distinguish between services provided by an audiologist and those within the scope of a hearing instrument specialist." — Healthcare policy brief