Hearing Instrument Specialist

 
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What you need to know

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​​​Hearing Instrument Specialists sell and fit hearing instruments. To fit hearing instruments, they measure human hearing using an audiometer or another means approved by the board. They also make impressions for earmolds. A Hearing Instrument Specialist, at the request of a physician or a member of related professions, may make audiograms for the professional's use in consultation with the hard-of-hearing.

Hearing instrument means any wearable instrument or device designed for or offered for the purpose of aiding or compensating for impaired human hearing and any parts, attachments, or accessories, including earmolds, but excluding batteries and cords.

Licensed Nebraska Audiologists are no longer required to have a Hearing Instrument Specialist license in order to dispense hearing instruments. 

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Applications, Requirements & Fees

To obtain a Hearing Instrument Specialist license in Nebraska, you must:

  • Pass the International Licensing Examination for Hearing Healthcare Professionals (ILE)
  • Pass the Nebraska Practical Examination
  • Complete the license application process  

For information on the examinations, please see the Examinations section below.

The following forms may be completed online; however, each one requires an original signature. Complete the form, then print it, sign and mail it to the Licensure Unit. 

Fee Information 

Fees are payable to the Licensure Unit.

Continuing Education, Renewal & Reinstatement

Continuing Education

To renew the license, all Hearing Instrument Specialists must have completed 24 contact hours of continuing education within the two years preceding the renewal period. Hearing Instrument Specialist licenses expire on December 31st of every even year. 

See the Regulations for additional information regarding Continuing Education. 

Renewal

All Hearing Instrument Specialist licenses expire December 31 of each even-numbered year. The Licensure Unit will send a renewal notice to the active license holder's last address of record at least 30 days before the expiration date.

All Temporary Hearing Instrument Specialist licenses will expire 12 months from the date of issuance. If you are unable to successfully pass the licensing examination with one year, a temporary license may be renewed once for a 12-month period. 

Reinstatement

Examination Information

To obtain a Hearing Instrument Specialist license in Nebraska, you must:

  • Pass the International Licensing Examination for Hearing Healthcare Professionals (ILE)
  • Pass the Nebraska Practical Examination
  • Complete the license application process  

International Licensing Examination for Hearing Health Care Professionals (ILE)
The International Hearing Society administers the ILE through a computer-based testing service. When you are ready to take this examination you must submit a Nebraska Hearing Instrument Specialist license application and pay the application fee. Once the application process is completed, the Department will notify the International Hearing Society (IHS) that you are approved to take the examination. IHS will send you an e-mail message with instructions to create an account and schedule your examination.

IHS will also email you a link to the study guide for the examination. It is required that you pass the ILE prior to taking the Nebraska Practical Examination. 

Nebraska Practical Examination 

The Nebraska Practical Examination is developed and administered by the Nebraska Board of Hearing Instrument Specialists. This examination will be offered two or three times per year. Complete the application process in order to take the practical examination. The 2025 examination dates are below. You must apply at least 45 days prior to the examination date.

Practical Examination Dates:

  • Exam date: February 21, 2025 
  • Exam date: June 27, 2025
  • Exam date: November 21, 2025​
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International Hearing Society​
33900 W Eight Mile Road Ste. 101
Farmington MI 48335
(734) 522-7200

Office of Rehabilitation and Community Services
Department of Health & Human Services/Division of Public Health/Licensure Unit
Phone Number
(402) 471-2299
 
Fax Number
(402) 741-1152
Mailing & Physical Addresses

DHHS Licensure Unit

Attn: Hearing Instrument Specialists

PO Box 94986

Lincoln NE 68509-4986

 

Nebraska State Office Building

301 Centennial Mall South

14th & M Streets, 3rd Floor

Lincoln NE 68508

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed federal holidays.