National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS)

Demonstrate your excellence in hearing healthcare. To collect feedback on the quality and effectiveness of a large quantity of new exam questions, NBC-HIS is launching a beta exam to update the National Competency Exam (NCE) exam forms. For $49 USD (reduced rate from $225 USD for US & Canada or $250 USD for International), candidates can test and become board certified upon successful passing of the exam and meeting eligibility requirements. Testing will take place May 1 - 21. You will not receive your beta exam results immediately. NBC-HIS subject matter experts will need time to analyze the data collected from all beta testers. Results will be released in July. The deadline to apply for the beta exam is Monday, March 31! To apply, complete the application at https://lnkd.in/gYqCjzbK or reach out to us directly at [email protected]. Eligibility Requirements: Exam candidates must have a current state/provincial/jurisdictional dispensing license or certificate of registration (where applicable) and meet a minimum of two (2) years of full-time dispensing experience within the last five (5) years or provide a diploma from an approved two-year post-secondary educational program to be eligible to take the NCE.

Today, we are featuring a member of our Executive Council, Darlene McMann, BC-HIS. A little bit about Darlene: Darlene is a Hearing Instrument Specialist, who graduated from Grant MacEwan University in June 2012 and earned her board certification in October 2012. She began her career close to home in a small Northern Alberta community. She then moved to work with Connect Hearing in Red Deer, Alberta in 2013, where the demand for hearing health services was becoming more evident, and has been there since. Darlene is an active member in her community, participating in local events to share the importance of hearing healthcare. Darlene has also been involved in training new specialists, helping them develop practical skills for university graduation or to prepare for their provincial exams. Recently, she joined the Provincial College to assist with the completion of practical examinations. Her first term with NBC-HIS, she joined the Executive Council in January 2024. Outside of work, she spends her free time with her husband, their two grown daughters, and their cat, Sophia. She enjoys camping in the summer and staying warm and cozy indoors in the winter. She shares that "the best reward in this profession is seeing someone's eyes light up when they try their first set of hearing aids. Their mind, body, and soul come to life—something that happens right before our eyes."

Today, we are featuring the Immediate Past-Chair of our Executive Council, John Letts, BC-HIS A little bit about John: John has been in the hearing healthcare field since 1984. A true champion of hearing healthcare, his passion to improve the experience and accessibility for the hard of hearing has always been paramount. He shares that he has "had the honor of and privilege of working alongside of so many great professionals." He has served on provincial, federal, educational, national and international boards to help elevate and improve the educational standards of all the hearing healthcare professionals that he has served. John was elected to the NBC-HIS Executive Council in 2020 and served as Chair for the 2-year term of 2022 - 2023.

Today, we are featuring a member of our Executive Council, Bonny Jo Havoc, BC-HIS. A little bit about Bonny Jo: Bonny Jo has been in the hearing healthcare field since 2010, starting in dispensing in 2015 and earning board certification soon after. During her time in the industry, she has been very active with the International Hearing Society (IHS) and the Texas Hearing Aid Association (THAA), an affiliate chapter of IHS. Since 2018, she has also volunteered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) as a practical exam rater and on the Practical Exam Committee. She has also contributed to the NBC-HIS Item Writing Committee and served as an subject matter expert (SME) for the NBC-HIS Exam Committee. In 2022, she was elected to the NBC-HIS Executive Council, and is now serving her second term. In 2024, Bonny Jo joined the THAA Board of Directors. Bonny Jo shared, "my passion lies in giving back to this industry, which has provided me not only a rewarding career but also a deep sense of purpose in helping others hear better. I strive to be the best I can be for my patients and help others excel in our field. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the growth of our industry and make a lasting positive impact on people's lives."

Already this month, we have had an abundance of hearing healthcare professionals complete the process for board certification. Please join us in congratulating these new Board Certificants, who displayed their excellence and earned the esteemed designation of BC-HIS: ?? Chloe Quinn Cook, BC-HIS ?? Carol Ann Eaton, BC-HIS ?? Hannah Lehman, BC-HIS ?? Anastasia Lynn Morales, BC-HIS ?? Gena Nixon-Mefford, BC-HIS ?? Katie O'Connell, BC-HIS ?? Angela KwiBin Pae, BC-HIS ?? Heyden R. Pearson, BC-HIS ?? Michael J. Shannon, BC-HIS ?? Kelly Raye Simpson, BC-HIS ?? Nicole Marie Spinelli-Fuson, BC-HIS ?? Barbara Patricia Strijack, BC-HIS ?? Christopher Donald Wolfe, BC-HIS

This is your opportunity to become board certified at a significantly reduced exam fee! Our team is launching a beta exam to update the National Competency Exam (NCE) exam forms. For $49 USD (reduced rate from $225 USD for US & Canada or $250 USD for International), candidates can test and become board certified upon successful passing of the exam and meeting eligibility requirements. Testing will take place May 1 - 21. You will not receive your beta exam results immediately. NBC-HIS subject matter experts will need time to analyze the data collected from all beta testers. Results will be released in July. The deadline to apply for the beta exam is Monday, March 31! To apply, complete the application at https://lnkd.in/gYqCjzbK or reach out to us directly at [email protected]. Eligibility Requirements: Exam candidates must have a current state/provincial/jurisdictional dispensing license or certificate of registration (where applicable) and meet a minimum of two (2) years of full-time dispensing experience within the last five (5) years or provide a diploma from an approved two-year post-secondary educational program to be eligible to take the NCE.

Today, we are featuring the Chair-Elect of our Executive Council, Carl Case, BC-HIS A little bit about Carl: Carl got his start in the profession in 1985 with Miracle-Ear. He rose up in the ranks becoming the Vice President of Training for Rick Frasier in 1990. He later moved up as a Franchisee. Carl is currently licensed in the states of New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Maine, California, and Illinois. Carl earned his board certification in 1988. He formerly served as Treasurer on the Executive Council. Carl is the current President of the Hearing Health Care Alliance of New York (HHCANY), an affiliated chapter of the International Hearing Society (IHS). He has previously served as the Secretary and Treasurer of HHCANY, and has been a dedicated member for over 30 years.

Today, we are featuring the Secretary of our Executive Council, Cheryl Ward, NBC-HIS A little bit about Cheryl: Cheryl has served on the NBC-HIS Executive Council since January of 2022, currently holding the position of secretary. Cheryl is a proud member of the International Hearing Society (IHS), celebrating 10 years as a member this year. Cheryl served on the IHS Managed Care and Compliance Committee 2019-2022. She was the recipient of the IHS National Emerging Professional Award in 2018. Cheryl is also a member of the Tennessee Hearing Society. In her personal time, Cheryl loves to travel with her husband, Steve. Cheryl shared, “I want to encourage my fellow peers to become board certified. This achievement combined with continuing education and training allows us to give a more advanced level of quality hearing healthcare to our patients."

Today, we are featuring the Chair of our Executive Council, Jonathan Wright, ACA, BC-HIS A little bit about Jonathan: Jonathan L. Wright is the President of South Suburban Hearing Health Centers, a 10 clinic audiology group in South Chicagoland. He is also the President of Sunshine Hearing Clinics, a 27 clinic practice in South Florida. Jonathan is currently licensed in Illinois, Indiana and Florida. Jonathan is a graduate of Governor's State University in University Park, IL. He is also a graduate of the American Conference of Audioprosthology and earned his board certification in 2002. He is a dedicated member of the International Hearing Society (IHS) and the Vice President of the Illinois Hearing Society, an affiliate chapter of IHS. His son, Kaden L. Wright, is studying audiology at the University of Missouri with big plans to take over the businesses one day down the road. He is a proud father of 4 children and a Golden Doodle named Kevin.

Join us in congratulating these new Board Certificants, who displayed their excellence and earned the esteemed designation of BC-HIS during the month of January: ?? Aymeric Dailland, BC-HIS ?? Adrienne Beth Gilbert, BC-HIS ?? Joel Douglas Gross, BC-HIS ?? Elizabeth Laura Lester, BC-HIS ?? Rachel Stone, BC-HIS