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For courses it approves, IHS recognizes the following Categories of Instruction. Course providers are required to indicate which category(ies) a particular course covers. Inclusion of a topic here does not guarantee a particular course will be approved, and IHS reserves the right to reject any course application in which the content does not adhere to applicable laws and regulations, risks harm to participants and/or instructors, contradicts generally accepted clinical practice, and/or fails to meet IHS’ approval criteria.

For questions regarding IHS course approval, contact our Professional Development team.

Approved Categories:

CATEGORY I – BASIC SCIENCE

Physics of Sound and Basic Acoustics

  1. Propagation of sound
  2. Physical characteristics of sound
  3. Measurements of sound
  4. Audiometric notation

Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Ear

  1. Anatomy of the ear
  2. Physiology of hearing
  3. Theories of hearing
  4. Etiology of hearing and listening impairment

Cognition and Psychology

  1. Listening
  2. Temporal processing
  3. Psychosocial aspects of listening
  4. Cognitive screenings
  5. Tinnitus

CATEGORY II – PATIENT INFORMATION AND HISTORY

Establishing Patient Rapport

  1. Patient empathy
  2. Emotional and psychological considerations
  3. Demonstrating professionalism
  4. Motivational interviewing

Eliciting Patient History

  1. Recognizing pertinent information
  2. Patient referral sources

Listening and Communication Needs Assessment

  1. COSI
  2. APHAB
  3. HHIA/E
  4. IOI-HA

CATEGORY III – AUDIOMETRIC ASSESSMENT

Anatomical Inspection

  1. Auricle, external auditory canal and tympanic membrane
  2. Otoscopic evaluation technique and observations
  3. Cerumen evaluation

Audiometry

  1. Air conduction tests
  2. Bone conduction tests
  3. Speech audiometry
  4. Word recognition testing
  5. Speech in noise testing
  6. Masking procedures
  7. Sound field audiometry

Tympanometry

  1. Theory
  2. Procedures
  3. Implications

CATEGORY IV – AUDIOMETRIC INTERPRETATION

Audiometric Results

  1. Type
  2. Degree
  3. Configuration
  4. Dynamic range
  5. MCL and UCL
  6. Threshold measures
  7. Word recognition
  8. Speech-in-noise

Referral Criteria

  1. Red flags
  2. Patient-centered care
  3. Cerumen Management
  4. Asymmetry

Other Considerations

  1. Cerumen Management
  2. Tinnitus

CATEGORY V – HEARING AID TECHNOLOGY

History and Development of Hearing Aids

  1. Analog systems
  2. Early digital systems
  3. Modern systems
  4. OTC products

Hearing Aid Electronics

  1. General Circuit Principles
  2. Transducers
  3. Fitting software
  4. Connectivity

Surgically Implanted Hearing Devices

  1. Cochlear implants
  2. Osseo-integrated devices
  3. Middle ear implants
  4. Brainstem implants
  5. Tympanic membrane

Electroacoustic Specifications and Analysis

  1. ISO standards
  2. ANSI standards
  3. Test box/Electroacoustic analysis
  4. Specification sheets
  5. Real Ear Measures

Troubleshooting and Repairs

  1. Cleaning
  2. Listening checks
  3. Repair procedures
  4. Couplers
  5. External ear anatomy considerations
  6. Selecting domes (non-custom couplers)
  7. Selecting earmolds and custom shells
  8. In-office earmold and custom shell fabrication
  9. Earmold and Custom Shell Modifications
  10. Tubing
  11. Utilizing Filters and/or Dampers
  12. Equipment and Supplies
  13. Venting

CATEGORY VI – EAR IMPRESSIONS

Anatomical Inspection

  1. External ear
  2. Ear canal
  3. Tympanic membrane
  4. Otoscopic examination

Earmold Impression Techniques

  1. Otoblock selection and placement
  2. Impression materials
  3. Earmold impression procedures
  4. Analyzing impression accuracy/quality
  5. Digital and 3D earmold impression equipment/scanners

Order the Earmold or Custom Shell

  1. Proper packing and shipping
  2. Scanning and transmitting
  3. Communicating with the lab

Earmold and Custom Shell Fabrication

  1. Equipment and materials
  2. Techniques in fabrication

OTC/Retail Earmolds, Tubing, and Domes

CATEGORY VII – SELECTING/RECOMMENDING HEARING AIDS AND/OR ASSISTIVE DEVICES

Considerations for Selecting/Recommending Hearing Aids and/or Assistive Devices

  1. Electroacoustic options
  2. Coupler options
  3. Anatomical considerations
  4. Procedure for hearing aid demonstration
  5. Patient lifestyle (activity level, hobbies, experience level, concerns)
  6. Physical abilities (dexterity, vision)
  7. Audiometric Results (configuration, degree, type, etc.)

Communicating with the Manufacturer

  1. Specification sheets
  2. Special order options
  3. Custom products

Preparing for the Fitting

  1. Pre-fitting programming
  2. Electroacoustic analysis
  3. Purchase agreements
  4. Patient education handouts

Assistive Devices

  1. Telecoil and Loop systems
  2. Wireless
  3. FM systems
  4. Alerting systems
  5. (Smart) Phone applications
  6. Captioned phones/captioning services
  7. TV streamers
  8. Remote microphones

OTC Devices and Specifications

CATEGORY VIII – FITTING TECHNIQUES

Initial Fitting/Delivery

  1. Communicating with the patient
  2. Instructing the patient
  3. Programming adjustments and physical modifications
  4. Patient comfort
  5. Verifying occlusion (Real Ear Occluded Response/REOR)
  6. Hearing Aid Programming Software

Patient Counseling

  1. Establishing realistic expectations
  2. Care and use of hearing aids
  3. Care and use of assistive listening devices
  4. Counseling for family, friends, and/or caregivers

Verification and Validation Measurements

  1. Real-ear measurements (Speech Mapping, REAR, REIG, etc.)
  2. Sound field measurements
  3. Listening and Communication Needs Assessments (APHAB, etc.)

CATEGORY IX – PATIENT FOLLOW-UP CARE

Post Fitting Visits

  1. Sound field measurements
  2. Reinforcement counseling
  3. Programming adjustments and physical modifications
  4. Reviewing validation questionnaires (COSI, APHAB, HHIA, etc.)
  5. Otoscopic examinations

Routine Maintenance

  1. Hearing aid cleaning and/or maintenance
  2. Electroacoustic/test box analysis
  3. Coupler cleaning and/or maintenance
  4. Assistive listening device and/or accessory cleaning and/or maintenance
  5. Scheduling routine cleaning/maintenance appointments
  6. Troubleshooting Procedures
  7. In-office repairs
  8. Factory and/or lab repairs
  9. Use of loaner instruments
  10. Warranties
  11. Communicating with the patient

CATEGORY X – PRACTICE ADMINISTRATION

Equipment Maintenance

  1. Biological checks
  2. Periodic calibrations
  3. Sound-booth calibrations
  4. Recordkeeping

Office Management

  1. Maintaining patient files and records
  2. Business documents
  3. Timekeeping
  4. Employee manuals

Inventory Management

  1. Stock tracking
  2. Replacement parts
  3. Hearing aid accessories
  4. Point of sale products

Universal Precautions

  1. Personal hygiene
  2. Equipment and supplies
  3. Exposure documentation/procedures

Licensing and Continuing Education

  1. Licensure and/or registration requirements
  2. Scope of practice
  3. Continuing education recordkeeping
  4. Training/supervision of trainees

Legal and Ethical Considerations

  1. HIPAA
  2. HITECH
  3. Business Associates
  4. IHS Code of Ethics
  5. ADA compliance

Legislative Affairs

  1. Advocacy
  2. Chapter leadership

Marketing and Sales

  1. Motivational sales techniques
  2. Direct mail
  3. Financial planning and responsibilities
  4. Advertising media
  5. Professional referral sources
  6. Patients as referral sources
  7. Pricing models (bundled, unbundled, etc.)

Service Delivery

  1. Telepractice
  2. Remote adjustments

CATEGORY XI – MANAGED CARE

Participation Basics

  1. Plan types
  2. Entitlement programs
  3. Commercial insurance
  4. Discount plans
  5. Recordkeeping

Benefits and Eligibility

  1. Documentation
  2. Portal use
  3. Communicating estimation of benefits
  4. No Surprises Act
  5. Allowed amounts and fee schedules

Coding and Billing

  1. Level I vs Level II
  2. International Classification of Diseases
  3. Submission methods
  4. Coding applications
  5. Auditing claims
  6. Authorization documentation

Reimbursement

  1. Adjudication process
  2. Balance billing
  3. Overpayments
  4. Write-offs
  5. Contractual obligations
  6. Handling denials
  7. Appeals
  8. Cost sharing

Contracting

  1. Network evaluations
  2. Contract review
  3. Contract negotiations
  4. Contract compliance

Compliance

  1. Education and training
  2. Documentation
  3. Compliance programs and plans
  4. Regulations and oversight