# Hearing Aid Specialists

> Select and fit hearing aids for customers. Administer and interpret tests of hearing. Assess hearing instrument efficacy. Take ear impressions and prepare, design, and modify ear molds.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 29-2092.00
- **Summary:** Select and fit hearing aids for customers. Administer and interpret tests of hearing. Assess hearing instrument efficacy. Take ear impressions and prepare, design, and modify ear molds.

## Aliases

- Hearing Aid Specialist
- Hearing Instrument Dispenser
- Hearing Instrument Specialist (HIS)
- Hearing Specialist
- Audioprosthologist
- Hearing Aid Consultant
- Hearing Care Practitioner
- Hearing Care Specialist
- Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist (Licensed HIS)
- National Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist (National Board Certified HIS)
- Audiology Assistant
- Audiology Technician

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Train clients to use hearing aids or other augmentative communication devices. | Core | 4.A.4.b.3.e |
| Counsel patients and families on communication strategies and the effects of hearing loss. | Core | 4.A.4.b.6.a |
| Select and administer tests to evaluate hearing or related disabilities. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.a |
| Administer basic hearing tests including air conduction, bone conduction, or speech audiometry tests. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.a |
| Maintain or repair hearing aids or other communication devices. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.x |
| Perform basic screening procedures, such as pure tone screening, otoacoustic screening, immittance screening, and screening of ear canal status using otoscope. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.a |
| Create or modify impressions for earmolds and hearing aid shells. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.q |
| Assist audiologists in performing aural procedures, such as real ear measurements, speech audiometry, auditory brainstem responses, electronystagmography, and cochlear implant mapping. | Supplemental | 4.A.4.a.5.k |
| Diagnose and treat hearing or related disabilities under the direction of an audiologist. | Supplemental | 4.A.2.b.1.f |
| Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in audiology. | Core | 4.A.2.b.3.a |
| Demonstrate assistive listening devices (ALDs) to clients. | Core | 4.A.4.b.3.e |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Test patient hearing. | 4.A.1.b.2.a |
| Instruct patients in the use of assistive equipment. | 4.A.4.b.3.e |
| Fabricate medical devices. | 4.A.3.a.2.q |
| Adjust prostheses or other assistive devices. | 4.A.3.a.2.x |
| Repair medical facility equipment. | 4.A.3.b.4.f |
| Diagnose medical conditions. | 4.A.2.b.1.f |
| Treat chronic diseases or disorders. | 4.A.4.a.5.l |
| Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.d |
| Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments. | 4.A.4.a.5.k |
| Maintain medical or professional knowledge. | 4.A.2.b.3.a |
| Advise patients on effects of health conditions or treatments. | 4.A.4.b.6.a |
| Counsel family members of clients or patients. | 4.A.4.b.6.j |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 4.75 |
| Sales and Marketing | knowledge | 4.24 |
| Therapy and Counseling | knowledge | 4.18 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | knowledge | 4.13 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 4.02 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 4 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 4 |
| Administrative | knowledge | 3.96 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.88 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.88 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.81 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.75 |
| Administration and Management | knowledge | 3.73 |
| Service Orientation | transferable_skill | 3.62 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.62 |
| Economics and Accounting | knowledge | 3.54 |
| Psychology | knowledge | 3.51 |
| Instructing | transferable_skill | 3.5 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.5 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.5 |
| Engineering and Technology | knowledge | 3.46 |
| Education and Training | knowledge | 3.44 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.38 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Social Perceptiveness | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3.25 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | knowledge | 3.24 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Persuasion | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3.12 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.12 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3.12 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.12 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.12 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Presentation Software | Specialized Skill |
| Medical Software | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| HIMSA Noah | Medical software | no | no |
| Otometrics OTOsuite | Medical software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 4.9 |
| E-Mail | 4.87 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 4.69 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 4.69 |
| Contact With Others | 4.68 |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.65 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 4.54 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 4.31 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 4.26 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.19 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 4.11 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.1 |
| Physical Proximity | 4.05 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 3.98 |
| Time Pressure | 3.94 |
| Level of Competition | 3.51 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 3.5 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 3.45 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.34 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.27 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 3.23 |
| Conflict Situations | 3.09 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.03 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.02 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 3 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | 2.98 |
| Consequence of Error | 2.37 |
| Public Speaking | 2.33 |
| Spend Time Standing | 2.24 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 2.24 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 2.03 |
| Degree of Automation | 1.98 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 1.83 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 1.69 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 1.55 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 1.4 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 1.36 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 1.3 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 1.29 |
| Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance | 1.23 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 3
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- **Experience:** Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- **Svp Range:** (6.0 to < 7.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| Doctoral Degree | 43.99 |
| High School Diploma | 22.13 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 11.96 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 11.92 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 9.17 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 0.44 |
| Master's Degree | 0.4 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dependability | work_style | 7 |
| Health Care Service | specific_interest_area | 6.05 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 6 |
| Integrity | work_style | 5 |
| Personal Service | specific_interest_area | 4.59 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 4.55 |
| Social Service | specific_interest_area | 4.44 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.4 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 4.38 |
| Professional Advising | specific_interest_area | 4.06 |
| Cooperation | work_style | 4 |
| Teaching/Education | specific_interest_area | 3.9 |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 3.87 |
| Medical Science | specific_interest_area | 3.28 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 3.03 |
| Social Orientation | work_style | 3 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 29-2057.00 | role-29-2057-00 | Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 29-2091.00 | role-29-2091-00 | Orthotists and Prosthetists | Primary-Short |
| 29-2099.01 | role-29-2099-01 | Neurodiagnostic Technologists | Primary-Short |
| 31-9091.00 | role-31-9091-00 | Dental Assistants | Primary-Short |
| 31-9099.02 | role-31-9099-02 | Endoscopy Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 31-2012.00 | role-31-2012-00 | Occupational Therapy Aides | Primary-Long |
| 31-9092.00 | role-31-9092-00 | Medical Assistants | Primary-Long |
| 29-2099.05 | role-29-2099-05 | Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | Primary-Long |
| 31-2022.00 | role-31-2022-00 | Physical Therapist Aides | Primary-Long |
| 31-9099.01 | role-31-9099-01 | Speech-Language Pathology Assistants | Primary-Long |
| 29-1181.00 | role-29-1181-00 | Audiologists | Supplemental |
| 29-1229.04 | role-29-1229-04 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Healthcare & Human Services | healthcare-human-services |

## Education Level

- **Category:** High school diploma or equivalent

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Health Professions and Related Programs | health-professions-and-related-programs |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 61560
- **Mean Wage:** 63930
- **Pct10Wage:** 36950
- **Pct25Wage:** 47150
- **Pct75Wage:** 78110
- **Pct90Wage:** 91000
- **Employment:** 10580
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 6810 | 63110 | 6.36 |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 3360 | 58430 | 2.12 |
| 621340 | 621340 | Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists | National industry | 2120 | 62040 | 64.83 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 70 | 60290 |  |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 40 | 44900 |  |
| 621320 | 621320 | Offices of Optometrists | National industry |  | 66320 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 621340 | 621340 | Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists | National industry | 2120 | 64.83 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 6810 | 6.36 |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 3360 | 2.12 |
- **Count:** 6

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | 0.5648953 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | 0.4181466 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | 0.4584805 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 43
- **Percentile:** 41
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 61 | felten_aioe |
| 38 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 29 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | 0.5648953 | 61 | Moderate | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.4 | 38 | Moderate | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.09538352506738518 | 29 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0
- **Beta:** 0.2
- **Gamma:** 0.4

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Diagnose and treat hearing or related disabilities under the direction of an audiologist. | 0.0017460323981446867 | 4.27 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 18.4
- **Growth Percentile:** 98
- **Direction:** Growing fast
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 1
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 15
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 10.7
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 12.6

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 11
- **Skills:** 37
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 7
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 044c599e4e104688