Hearing Instrument Science (A.A.S.)

A.A.S. Degree: 65 Hours

The Hearing Instrument Science (HIS) program is designed to prepare graduates to practice as hearing healthcare providers in a variety of settings. Those settings include private practice, corporate storefronts, franchise models, and others. Graduates may choose to license as a Hearing Instrument Specialist (Dispenser), work as an Audiology Aid (Assistant), or go on to pursue a higher degree in the hearing field. This program also prepares graduates to function as a member of the hearing healthcare team. The team includes Hearing Instrument Specialists, Otologists, Audiologists, and Otolaryngologists (ENTs). State licensing or registration is required after graduation, depending on the student's location. The majority of graduates go straight into the workforce as Hearing Instrument Specialists. The May 2017 Occupational Employment statistics from the Bureau of Labor state that the estimated mean national wage for Hearing Instrument Specialists is $57,890.

This flexible distance learning program offers part-time and full-time enrollment options. While the majority of the coursework is done online, there are hands-on portions taught during lab sessions and clinical placement. Some of the courses offer live lecture times via video conferencing with the recordings posted for review within the course. Students may choose to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in Hearing Instrument Science or a Certificate of Achievement in Hearing Instrument Science. The Certificate of Achievement is designed for students who are already licensed or students planning to work in a state that doesn't require an Associate's degree for state licensing.

The HIS program is a selective admission program. Most of the courses in the HIS program build upon each other, therefore some will have prerequisite requirements. These requirements can be found in the course catalog and preferred course sequence document. The HIS program is approved by the Missouri Board of Examiners for Hearing Instrument Specialists.

A 2.5 institutional GPA or higher is required for graduation.

Pre-Admission Requirements - 16 Credit Hours

HIS-100 Intro to Hearing Science Credits: 1
COM-100 Introduction to Communication Credits: 3
or
COM-105 Public Speaking Credits: 3
or
COM-200 Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3
ENG-100 Composition I With Support Credits: 5
or
ENG-101 Composition I Credits: 3
MTH-105 Business Math Credits: 3 or higher
PLS-101 American Government and Politics Credits: 3
PSY-110 Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3

Hearing Instrument Science Program Requirements - 40 Credit Hours

HIS-110 Bioacoustics Credits: 3
HIS-120 Anatomy and Physiology of the Auditory System Credits: 3
HIS-130 Introduction to Audiometry Credits: 3
HIS-140 Introduction to Hearing Instrument Components Credits: 3
HIS-150 Hearing Inst Fitting Methods Credits: 3
HIS-160 Professional Ethics Credits: 3
HIS-170 Clinical Practicum I Credits: 1
HIS-230 Advanced Audiometry Credits: 3
HIS-240 Compression & Digital Feature Credits: 3
HIS-250 Real Ear Measurements Credits: 3
HIS-260 Aural Rehabilitation Credits: 3
HIS-270 Clinical Practicum II Credits: 3
HIS-280 Clinical Practicum III Credits: 3

Note:

* Please contact the Allied Health Admissions Office if you have taken MTH 110 prior to the fall 2018 semester.

Humanities and Fine Arts - 3 Credit Hours

ART-100 Art and Experience Credits: 3
ART-101 Art History I Credits: 3
ASL-101 American Sign Language I Credits: 3
CHN-101 Beginning Chinese Credits: 3
ENG-180 Introduction to Literature Credits: 3
FRN-101 Beginning French I Credits: 3
GRM-101 Beginning German I Credits: 3
MUS-101 Music of the World Credits: 3
PHL-101 Introduction to Philosophy Credits: 3
PHL-105 Introduction to Ethics Credits: 3
REL-100 Intro Religions Of The World Credits: 3
SPN-101 Beginning Spanish I Credits: 3
THR-101 Introduction to Theater Credits: 3

Program Specific Course - 6 Credit Hours

BUS-110 Principles of Business Credits: 3
PSY-270 Psychology of Aging Credits: 3

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