The continued growth in an ever-increasing aging population suggests an increasing need for hearing instrument specialists well into the future. At COD, students will find:

• Dedicated instructors with years of professional experience.
• Instruction utilizing state-of-the-art audiological equipment including a full-size soundbooth.
• Affordable courses to help you achieve success without creating overwhelming debt or draining your savings account.
• Small class sizes to ensure you receive personalized attention.
• The only program in the state of Illinois that offers a hands-on lab and clinical experience.

Hearing Instrument Dispensary Program, Certificate

The Hearing Instrument Dispensary Program certificate prepares students for entry level position as a hearing health care provider. Graduates of this certificate program are eligible to take their written and practical Illinois Department of Public Health Licensure exam. This certificate requires 22 credits in the courses listed below.

Students are expected to provide proof of a Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan prior to the start of the program or clinical start. The insurance plan must cover you throughout the length of your clinical experience, which in most cases, consists of the entire length of the program. If you are in need of Health Insurance, please note the following important dates and visit cod.studentbenefitplans.com.

Important Dates

• Open Enrollment: Typically opens November through mid-January
  If you will need health insurance ANYTIME within the next year, you must apply during the current open enrollment period.

If you miss open enrollment, but have a qualifying life event, you can still apply during a Special Enrollment Period.

While we cannot guarantee your official acceptance into the program, you need to be aware that there is short timeframe of when you are able to purchase a Health Insurance plan. The purpose of this step is to make you aware and that the time to research and purchase is NOW. Purchasing health insurance outside of this timeframe will take months and may prohibit your admittance into the Program. NOTE: Obtaining Health Insurance is NOT an application requirement but it is a requirement to be in the program.

• Clinical Requirements Packet - Learn more about health requirements you may need to complete prior to registration or after program admission.
• Social Security Number (SSN) Requirements - While the College may not require an SSN for admission to all healthcare programs, students should be aware that the absence of an SSN may limit or prevent their ability to participate in certain clinical experiences, obtain required licensure or certification or secure employment upon graduation. Many healthcare employers, clinical education sites, licensing agencies and credentialing organizations require a valid SSN for employment, criminal background checks, payroll processing and/or professional licensure or certification. Students are strongly encouraged to verify SSN requirements with the applicable licensing board, certifying agency and prospective employers before enrolling in a healthcare program.

Hearing Instrument Program graduates will:

• Describe auditory pathways, peripheral and central
• Interpret sound processing in the peripheral and central auditory system
• Explain the anatomy and physiology of the peripheral auditory system, outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, and auditory nerve
• Interpret cochlear mechanics and physiology
• Explain the anatomy and physiology of the central auditory system: cochlear nucleus, superior olivary complex, nucleus of lateral lemniscus, inferior colliculus, medial geniculate body, and auditory cortex
• Describe the structures and function of auditory efferent system and vascular system in the auditory pathway

Graduates of the Hearing Instrument Dispensary program certificate are expected to meet the following objectives:

• Describe the anatomy and physiology of the human auditory system including auditory pathways, peripheral and central
• Explain auditory sensations and interpret auditory perception of complex sounds
• Demonstrate the basic principles of audiological assessment across the lifespan
• Demonstrate interventions aimed at minimizing the communication difficulties associated with hearing loss in people of all ages
• Demonstrate knowledge of hearing aid components and systems, electroacoustic evaluation, methods of prescribing hearing aid gains, and hearing aid signal processing
• Describe hearing health care provider scope of service, licensure, workplace skills, resume writing and interviewing skills, professional ethics, employment settings, team membership and conflict resolution, universal precautions, culturally sensitive practice, and the psychosocial impact of hearing loss.