IHS-Approved Categories Of Instruction
The IHS Approved Categories of Instruction are indicative of those topics considered germane to hearing healthcare professionals, specifically those engaged in hearing aid dispensing. This list is illustrative and should not be considered exhaustive.
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.
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/client
2. Instructing the patient/client
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. Soundfield measurements
3. Listening and Communication Needs Assessments (APHAB, etc.)
CATEGORY IX - PATIENT FOLLOW-UP CARE
Post Fitting Visits
1. Soundfield 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/client
CATEGORY X - PRACTICE ADMINISTRATION
Equipment Maintenance
1. Biological checks
2. Periodic calibrations
3. Sound-booth calibrations
4. Recordkeeping
Office Management
1. Maintaining patient/client 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/clients 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