ORLANDO, FLORIDA — The International Hearing Society (IHS) announced this week for the first time, its new Tinnitus Care Provider Certificate Program.
Tinnitus, which is described as the perception of sound in the absence of an external stimulus, is a condition believed to be experienced by tens of millions of people. Research into the condition suggests that the disability caused by tinnitus is one of the most common chronic medical conditions in adults, although its severity can range from very mild to severe. Furthermore, tinnitus is the number one service related disability among American veterans–costing the US well over a billion dollars in disability compensation payments annually.
According to IHS, the certificate program is intended for hearing care professionals who “want to advance their knowledge and clinical skills to help people suffering from tinnitus”. The program is said to be open to hearing aid specialists, audiologists, otolaryngologists, or other physicians that have at least two years of licensed clinical experience.
The workshop will be held on December 2-3, 2016, at the Orlando Airport Marriott Lakeside in Orlando, Florida.
New Tinnitus Provider Certificate Program
Richard Tyler, PhD
According to the organization’s news release, the new Tinnitus Care Provider Certificate Program consists of a two-day workshop and assessment. The program’s curriculum is said to focus on tinnitus patient care, including physiology, psychology, measurement, treatment and practice organization. Attendees of the program will be awarded 16 hours of IHS continuing education (CE) credits and has been submitted for CE approval for the American Academy of Audiology.
Certificates will be awarded to participants that attend the workshop and pass the assessment. A Tinnitus Care Provider certificate will be awarded only to those participants who attend the workshop and meet the passing standard of the assessment.
The workshop will be taught by leading tinnitus expert, Richard Tyler, PhD, an audiologist and professor at the University of Iowa.
Not All Professionals Eligible to Offer Tinnitus Services
Not all hearing professionals who attend the workshop will be eligible to offer tinnitus services in their states. According to the workshop’s disclaimer: “Interested participants should review their state/provincial rules and regulations regarding permissible practices related to tinnitus management.
This caveat refers to the fact that many state licensure laws vary on a state by state basis and some states limit tinnitus management to the scope of practice of physicians and audiologists. Hearing professionals interested in offering tinnitus services should check with their state licensing board to ensure there are no restrictions to such activity in their state.
More information on the new tinnitus program can be found here.
