To work as a hearing aid specialist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Some hearing aid specialists learn their skills through formal training programs. Professional-technical colleges offer medical assisting programs. A one-year program grants a certificate. Courses include anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, medical law, and ethics. Office courses include typing, recordkeeping, accounting, and insurance processing. You also gain skills in lab techniques and first aid.

On-the-job training

Most hearing aid specialists learn their skills on the job. Through on-the-job training you learn medical terminology, the names of the instruments, how to do daily tasks, how to interact with patients, and other tasks. You also learn how to code both paper and electronic health records and how to record patient information. Training typically lasts several months.