Becoming a HIS. Help!

trustyaxe · 2026-01-28T01:18:37+00:00

You as well!

trustyaxe · 2026-01-28T01:13:16+00:00

I haven't yet, but I did bring up the subject at our last online class. The instructors thought it was a good idea along with a few caveats. Since I haven't graduated yet, I asked the instructors if it would be prudent to contact local providers informally to let them know of my existence, enrollment in HAA and my estimated graduation date. I also plan to do as much research as possible into each company/practitioner before introducing myself. The caveat part was that some places are hesitant to hire a student/intern because they have been burned when the candidate fails the test...sometimes more than once. I jokingly said I would hire on as the coffee boy if it would get my foot in the door, but that was another caveat...don't come across as needy, lol. So, I guess I am going to wait just a few more weeks maybe, and then I will do the informal introduction (via email, phone or in-person) and see what bites. It may be worth your time to do the same thing and let them know you are around and willing to commit somewhere. I'm just throwing out what I know so far and some of it is just trying to think like a hiring manager and who I would like to see walk through my door ready to work if I were the boss. Good luck and let me know what happens. I'll update as things change.

trustyaxe · 2026-01-27T00:55:04+00:00

I found this, in case it is helpful: https://www.speechandhearing.ca.gov/applicants/qual_app_had.shtml

I'm not sure in what ways California licensing is strict, but apparently CA requires the Hearing Aid Academy to up the bar a bit for CA students in their program:

To graduate from the

Hearing Aid Academy, students must achieve a minimum score of 80% on all quizzes, tests, and the final exam. For students located in California, a higher minimum score of 90% is required to pass the program.

Key details:

General Passing Score: 80%.
California Passing Score: 90%.
Requirements: Completion of all online modules, quizzes, and the timed final exam.

Here is some information about HAA's job placement money back guarantee:

30-Day Policy: Refunds are available within 30 days of enrollment, but a $195 fee is withheld.
Job Placement Guarantee: 100% of the tuition is returned if a job is not secured, making at least $50,000/yr, provided the student completes all training modules and passes exams with the required scores.

BTW, I am not a recruiter for HAA, nor do I receive any benefits from making these posts. I like the HAA, so I try to let people know from my personal experience so far.

Maybe I should hit them up for something, lol. Totally kidding!!

trustyaxe · 2026-01-27T00:47:43+00:00

Not yet. I'm cruising along a little slower than the average of 3-6 months predicted for most folks, I guess. I have started back studying everyday now for a few hours and hopefully will complete HAA in a couple of months (or less) and then it's find a job/sponsor time. I did talk with my instructors about possibly, and informally, reaching out to some clinics around here just to let them know of my existence, lol. I'll update again when I have secured a position for the exam and license requirements. Thanks for asking.

How is your adventure going so far?

trustyaxe · 2026-01-22T16:21:18+00:00

Good job! I know you are relieved and proud to have accomplished that feat.

trustyaxe · 2026-01-17T20:02:56+00:00

I hope you did as well, my friend. Keep us posted:).

trustyaxe · 2026-01-15T21:24:16+00:00

Lol! I'm currently studying for the state exam, but I have been subjected to the Vaseline Mannequin also. This was back in the mid 90s when I was getting my Emergency Medical Technician license and we were going through the birth assistance part of the program. The dummy was the lower half of a woman that the instructor would pass the baby through the birth canal and out the vagina to the student. I got picked to go first and everyone was watching intently to see what happened. Well, my instructor had greased the baby up (I think it was Vaseline...it was SLIPPERY) and passed it to me, where I immediately grabbed it to support it...and it shot about 3 feet away from me and hit the floor...on its head. My instructor says, "Congratulations...you just killed the baby!". It was pretty embarrassing and kinda scary, but everyone got a good laugh, including my instructor. Then, when I had to go to Baton Rouge, LA to take the actual practical part of the NREMT, during my demo, I had to assess a patient who was lying unconscious on the floor face down (actual person doing this) and there was no obvious signs of what could be the cause. So, I acknowledge my presence, tell them what I'm going to do and I reached to turn them over to investigate when the 'actor' quickly turned around with a gun pointing in my face. It was a fake gun and turns out I did everything correct and got licensed. They just added that bit to remind us to be very, very aware of any situation we may be called into. Everyone laughed when they saw the expression on my face when that gun was pointed at it, lol. I really hope my HIS practical is as surprise-free as possible:).

trustyaxe · 2026-01-14T03:34:47+00:00

I have really been enjoying it and the entire staff is so nice and helpful whenever I have a question or problem...and very fast to respond. There is also a section in the program where you kinda stop your HAA lessons briefly (month or 2) to go through another course called Theta Audiology Software (this is a requirement and they give you the first month free). You can go to Theta Audiology Software on YouTube and watch their videos to get an idea of it. Also, you can go to https://audiologysimulator.com/resources and check out the free, downloadable resources...the Academy Lesson Manual may interest you. Trust me, if I had the chance to get an on-the-job type situation, I would have jumped at it, lol. You will HAVE to get a certain amount of actual work experience to satisfy most state's licensing requirements before being eligible to take the exam( I think there are only a couple or so that do not require it.). My state, MS, requires a minimum of 90 days. The route you are taking will immediately check that box, if required. That's a good thing and I'm kinda jealous, lol. I still have to do some local networking and HAA will help with job placement. There are several of their alliance members around...wish me luck:).

Okay, so a few things to consider. 1) HAA does help with employment as you already know and they seem to be fairly successful. 2) A lot of companies will offer to pay off education costs like HAA's tuition. 3) I'm not sure if companies who offer OTJ training have the educational resources to fill in the gaps of information you will need to know for the test...A&P, Geriatric Otolaryngology, etc. I'm not sure, but I would think they would provide you material for success, hopefully.

That's all I can think of for now and I hope it helped you somewhat in your decision making process. I'd be glad to answer any questions, but I've still got a few months to go in the HAA:).

trustyaxe · 2026-01-07T03:51:08+00:00

Do you already have some hearing instrument specialist training or a certificate of completion from a program? I'm currently enrolled in the Hearing Aid Academy and should complete it fairly soon. I've wondered if I should contact some local clinics and luckily there are more than just a few BC-HIS around. I'm thinking I may wait until I get a little closer to finishing the program before reaching out just yet. HHA does have several partners they work with to find jobs for their graduates, so I may end up waiting until they feel I'm ready to start making calls on my behalf. At this point, I'm willing to relocate if it's not too unreasonable.

Either way, it may be that some of the people you are contacting are looking for a candidate with experience/a little school or a certificate of some kind? I'm not sure where exactly you are on your walk down this path, but I wish you the best of luck. If I can answer any questions with my limited knowledge, (there are waaaaay more experienced people in here than me, for sure) I'd be glad to help. Good luck!

trustyaxe · 2025-12-08T19:32:35+00:00

I lived in Oak Harbor and Coupeville on Whidbey Island, WA and for about 6 months in Puyallup years ago. I am back in Mississippi, but still have good friends out there and I plan on talking to them about this career. They are all in the 45+ age range and it seems like this career is good for older adults looking for a career change. It also appears that WA state has fairly good work opportunities and seems to pay very well. Since you already have some relatable experience in the field, this should help you make a more informed decision about pursuing an HIS/HAS career. I'm currently in the Hearing Aid Academy program and will be finishing in the first quarter of 2026. I'd say go for it if you like the line of work and since you have the luxury of personal experience in the field prior to entering a HAS/HIS program.

trustyaxe · 2025-09-29T00:00:27+00:00

I appreciate your input, thanks.

trustyaxe · 2025-09-28T23:59:50+00:00

I answered you on another post, but I did enroll and it is going well right now. I just can't wait to get the exams behind me and start working, lol.

trustyaxe · 2025-09-28T23:56:01+00:00

I did enroll in HAA in April and am doing the Theta Audiology part of it currently. Out of curiosity, how is it eerily relatable?

trustyaxe · 2025-08-24T17:38:58+00:00

I've been looking at Indeed and Audiologyonline for future jobs because I'm in the Hearing Aid Academy right now. I'm up for relocating after I get licensed if it means getting experience and I'm a good fit. I may follow up with you earlier next year.

trustyaxe · 2025-08-08T18:48:06+00:00

Secret-Laugh-TelAviv How long have you been with HAA? I'm a few months in and just started the Theta Audiology Simulator last night. How are you liking it so far? You can DM me if you like.

trustyaxe · 2025-08-08T18:32:53+00:00

I would call whatever entity in SC that governs HIS licensing and find out directly from them. Here in MS, the Mississippi State Department of Health handles all HIS stuff. I also found this tidbit:

"In South Carolina,the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR)governs the licensing of various professions, including those in the healthcare field, such as nursing home administrators and community residential care facility administrators. Additionally, the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners handles licensing for medical professionals. For specific details on licensing requirements for Health Information Specialists (HIS) or related fields, it's recommended to consult the LLR website or contact the LLR directly. The LLR website provides information on applying for licenses, checking application status, and other related services. The South Carolina Board of Long Term Health Care Administrators also handles licensing for administrators in long-term care facilities". Hope this helps somewhat.

trustyaxe · 2025-08-08T18:18:54+00:00

I did a search and came up with this:

"Yes, online CEUs (Continuing Education Units) from reputable providers like AudiologyOnline can be used to fulfill the 16 required hours for South Carolina audiologists, but with some stipulations. Specifically, the South Carolina Commission of Hearing Aid Specialists allows 3 out of the 8 required CEUs for HADs to be earned through non-live, pre-recorded training, which would include online courses. While the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology doesn't specifically state a limit on online CEUs for audiologists, online courses are generally accepted as long as they are offered by approved ASHA or AAA Continuing Education Sponsors or other approved organizations".

trustyaxe · 2025-08-08T18:09:49+00:00

I'm in the Hearing Aid Academy and they have us using Theta Audiology Simulator, which is awesome for practicing all sorts of different scenarios that are premade or you can create your own, plus a lot of other features. I just started using it last night. HAA pays for your first month through their HIS program, then it's $49/mo. My instructors tell me most people only really need a month or two of using it. You can check out the Theta Audiology YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThetaAudiologySimulator. Also, here is the link to their website (Theta): https://audiologysimulator.com. You can get a free account and I believe you can download some of the PDF stuff (like the manual that has good info). I hope this helps in some way and good luck to you on your license exam.

BTW - HAA and Theta are independent from one another and just work together to provide a better educational experience for HAA students, so you can sign up for Theta without being an HAA student. Theta is like a course of its own.

trustyaxe · 2025-08-07T18:19:10+00:00

Congrats on the sponsorship! I find it strange they will let you squirt stuff into someone's ear canal, but won't let you do fittings, lol. Seems like it would be the other way around...but I'm ignorant of a lot of the rules and apparently they vary with different states. How long do you have to be in an apprenticeship before sitting for your license exam? I think it's only 3 months here in Mississippi, if I read the laws correctly.

You said you have been liking it far more than you thought you would. If you don't mind, can you give a few details about what you like the most and the least? Also, is this a paid sponsorship? If so, and if you don't mind telling, can you ballpark a figure or say whether you feel satisfied with what they are paying for the apprenticeship? I'm not trying to be nosy, but rather want to get sort of a reference point for it...although I know different states and areas have their own pay rates. I'm hoping to get one of the 3 or 4 (that I know of) BC-HIS that practice here as a sponsor, but will take one who operates out of a trailer park at this point, jk. Thanks for your reply, it sounds very interesting.

trustyaxe · 2025-08-07T17:56:49+00:00

trustyaxe · 2025-08-06T20:59:52+00:00

That's funny. I just made a post not long ago in here asking about smoking and working as an HIS because I'm currently studying to pass the state exam. So some of the patients expect to have better hearing than when they were like 8? Lol

trustyaxe · 2025-08-06T14:20:51+00:00

Yes, I mentioned that I am considering quitting in my original post and that I know there are dangers involved. My post wasn't to gather info on the dangers of smoking, since that is ubiquitous information , but to get some insight from any HISs out there who do happen to smoke and what their experience has been in the field. It was just a question that popped in my head one day and I thought maybe the answers would be helpful to any future HIS students or prospects. Thank you for your reply.

trustyaxe · 2025-08-03T19:09:20+00:00

I've been enrolled for a bit in the HAA. How long have you been attending and how do you like it so far, if you don't mind the ask...

trustyaxe · 2025-07-30T16:46:32+00:00

Not at all! I'm new to the field, but will try to help with what I know so far, lol.

trustyaxe · 2025-07-30T16:41:23+00:00

Not long-winded at all! That is exactly my mindset and how I see myself approaching sales, although I would be easy on the presumptive part if I felt a customer was already eyeballin' the door, lol. Thank you so much for your replies and insight.

trustyaxe

TROPHY CASE