Hearing Instrument Dispenser
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Hearing Instrument Dispenser
HID Exam Materials
This page includes information to assist Hearing Instrument Dispenser (HID) Exam applicants in preparing to take the HID certification exam. Instructions for how to register for the exam are available at the links below:
Candidates who plan to apply for certification as a Hearing Instrument Dispenser are encouraged to receive a passing score on the International Hearing Society's (IHS) International Licensing Exam (ILE) prior to registering for the HID Exam offered by MDH. More information about the ILE is available on the Hearing Instrument Dispenser (HID) Written Exam page.
Candidates are required to receive a passing score in each of four major content areas in order to pass the exam. The content areas are:
Performance test: As instructed, perform specific audiometric tests given for the purpose of dispensing a hearing instrument. Tasks are designed to evaluate the candidate's ability to:
- Conduct pure tone audiometric tests, including obtaining valid pure tone air and bone conduction thresholds useing the modified Hughson-Westlake technique and masking procedures as necessary;
- Correctly prepare audiograms;
- Set up an audiometer for speech testing; and
- Conduct speech audiometric tests.
The candidate is expected to interview clients appropriately and identify ear conditions requiring medical referrals.
Performance test: Completely demonstrate preparation for and performance of the sequence of tasks for placing and removing an ear mold impression. Tasks are designed to evaluate the candidate's ability to prepare ear mold impressions. The candidate should be able to:
- Appropriately instruct the client for ear mold impression taking;
- Perform cleansing procedures for hands and equipment;
- Display proper technique in performing an otoscopic ear examination;
- Visually evaluate photographs of eardrums and correctly determine the necessity for medical referral;
- Produce a satisfactory ear mold impression; and
- Properly box the ear mold impression for shipment.
Performance test: The test is designed to evaluate the candidate's ability to diagnose problems of malfunctioning hearing aids, including
- Ability to interpret a client’s audiometric test results and select the most appropriate hearing aid.
- Comprehend procedures for remedying problems with hearing aids commonly experienced by clients; and comprehend procedures for remedying problems with hearing aids commonly experienced by clients; and
- Counsel clients on the comparative advantages or disadvantages of different styles of hearing aids.
Minnesota laws related to hearing instrument dispensers include the following:
Minnesota Hearing Instrument Dispensing Statutes
- 148.5195 Investigation process and grounds for disciplinary action
- MN Stat. §148.5197 - Hearing Aid Dispensing
- MN Stat. §148.5198 - Restriction on Sale of Hearing Aid
- MN Stat. Ch. 153A - Hearing Instrument Dispenser Certification
Minnesota Home Solicitation Sales Statutes
- 325G.06 Definitions.
- 325G.07 Buyer's Right to Cancel.
- 325G.08 Writing Required: Notice of Right to Cancel: Notice of Cancellation.
- 325G.09 Return of Payments or Goods.
- 325G.10 Penalties for Violation.
- 325G.11 Damages.
- 325G.12 Definitions.
- 325G.13 Disclosure Obligation.
- 325G.14 Penalties: Remedies.
Minnesota Assistive Device Warranties Statutes
ANSI Standards
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited standards listed below are published by the Acoustical Society of America (ASA). ANSI Standards are available through Minitex interlibrary loan system and MnLINK Gateway.
- ANSI/ASA s3.1-1999 (R2008): Maximum permissible ambient noise levels for audiometric test rooms. Washington, D.C.: American Nation Standards Institute.
- ANSI/ASA S3.6-2010: Specification for audiometers. Washington, D.C.: American National Standards Institute.
- ANSI/ASA S3.21-2004 (R2009): Method for manual pure-tone threshold audiometer. Washington, D.C.: American National Standards Institute.
- ANSI/ASA S3.33-2009: Specification of hearing aid characteristic. Washington, D.C.: American National Standards Institute.
Laws and Regulations
- Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, section 801.420. Hearing aid devices; professional and patient labeling. Silver Spring, MD: U.S. Food and Drug Administration - CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.
- Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, section 801.421. Hearing aid devices; conditions for sale. Silver Spring, MD: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.
- Minnesota Statutes, sections 148.511 to 148.5198. Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology licensing. St. Paul, Minnesota: Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
References
- Bentler, R. (2005). Effectiveness of directional microphones and noise reduction schemes in hearing aids: A systematic review of the evidence. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 16, 473-484.
- Chermak, G., Musiek, F. (2013) Handbook of (Central) Auditory Processing Disorders, Vol II (2nd ed.)
- DeBonis, D.A., & Donohue, C.L. (2008). Survey of audiology: fundamentals for audiologists and health professionals (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.
- DeRuiter, M., & Ramachandran, V (2010). Basic audiometry learning manual. San Diego, CA: Plural Pub
- Dillon, H. (2001). Hearing aids. New York: Thieme.
- Dunn, H., Roeser, R. J., & Valente, M. (2000). Audiology: Diagnosis. New York: Thieme.
- Dunn, H., Roeser, R. J., & Valente, M. (2007). Audiology: Practice Management (2nd ed.) New York: Thieme.
- Gelfand, S. A. (2009). Essentials of audiology (3 ed.). New York: Theieme.
- Hosford-Dunn, H., Roeser, R., Valente, M., (2007) Audiology: Diagnosis (2nd ed.)
- Kramer, S. J., Jerger, J., & Mueller, H. G. (2008). Audiology: science to practice. San Diego: Plural Pub.
- Martin, F. & Clark, J. (2014). Introduction to Audiology (12th ed.).
- Metz, M. (2014) Sandlin’s Textbook of Hearing Aid Amplification: Technical and Clinical Considerations (3rd ed.)
- Musiek, F., Chermak, G. (2013) Handbook of (Central) Auditory Processing Disorders, Vol I (2nd ed.).
- Miller, M. H., & Schein, J. D. (2008). Hearing disorders handbook. San Diego: Plural Pub.
- Mueller, H. G. (2002). A candid round-table discussion on modern digital hearing aids and their features. The Hearing Journal, 55, 23-35.
- Murray, N. (2009). Foundations of aural rehabilitation: children, adults, and their family members (3rd ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning.
- Ricketts, T.A. (2005). Directional hearing aids: Then and now. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 42, 133-144.
- Roeser, R., Valente, M., Hosford-Dunn, H. (2007) Audiology: Diagnosis (2nd ed.).
- Sandlin, R. E. (1996). Hearing instrument science and fitting practices (2nd ed.). Liviona, MI: National Institute for Hearing Instrument Studies.
- Schaub, A. (2008) Digital Hearing Aids.
- Schow, R. L., & Nerbonne, M. A. (2002). Introduction to audiologic rehabilitation (4th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
- Schow, R. L., & Nerbonne, M. A. (2002). Introduction to audiologic rehabilitation (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Allyn and Bacon.
- Taylor, D., & Mueller, H. G. (2011). Fitting and dispensing hearing aids. San Diego: Plural Pub.
- Taylor, AuD., B. (2011) Consultative Selling Skills for Audiologists.
- Turner, C. W. (1999). The limits of high-frequency amplification. The Hearing Journal, 53, 10-14.
- Weinstein, D. (2010) Geriatric Audiology (2nd ed.)
- Valente, M. (1994). Strategies for selecting and verifying hearing aid fittings. New York: Thieme Medical Publishers.
- Valente, M. (1996). Hearing aids: standards, options, and limitations. New York: Thieme Medical Publishers.
- Valente, M., Dunn, H., & Roeser, R. J. (2008). Audiology: treatment (2nd ed.). New York: Thieme.
- Walden, B. E., Surr, R. K., & Cord, M. T. (2003). Real-world performance of directional microphone hearing aids. The Hearing Journal, 56, 40-46.