Audiologists  have a Master's degree or a Doctorate in Audiology which is the study of applied hearing sciences and include many many hours of study and hands-on professional experience in hearing aid evaluation, dispensing hearing instruments and follow-up care. Our education and licensing requirements far exceed those of a hearing aid dispenser whose high school education fulfills their requirements for licensure. The requirement that audiologists take the hearing aid dispenser's exam should be dropped.

I recall taking the exam in Richmond. After the exam, I overheard several potential hearing aid dispensers lamenting the content of the exam. They were shocked that certain topics were on the exam. ("I didn't know I'd have to know SRT!) I was sick to think that someone who did not know the most BASIC item of a hearing test was going to be selling hearing aids to unsuspecting consumers.

I would posit that for a person to come within a mile of a hearing impaired person they get the education and training that Audiologists need for their licenses, not the reverse.

Thank you.

Leslie Lesner, AuD.

Lesner Hearing Center

Alexandria, VA