Registered Hearing Aid Dispensers

All hearing aid dispensers and employers of dispensers must be registered with the Hearing Aid Council (HAC).

The HAC is a non-departmental public body (NDPB) established by the Hearing Aid Council Act (1968), and is sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry; set up for the protection of persons purchasing hearing aids on the private market. It is a criminal offence for someone who is not registered with the Council to enter oral negotiations with a view to selling hearing aids. You should report immediately to the Hearing Aid Council anyone you suspect is not registered.

Prior to becoming registered, dispensers must undertake intensive training to pass theoretical and practical exams set out by the Council. Following success in these exams a pre-registered dispenser must then undergo a period of supervised work experience to ensure a high standard of competence is achieved. The council then approves certification of success accordingly.

Subsequent to this certification all Registered Hearing Aid Dispensers must continue to undertake a set minimum amount of professional development courses to ensure this standard of competence is maintained.

Registered Hearing Aid Dispensers are permitted to use the post nominal letters 'RHAD' to confirm their affiliation to the HAC.

The HAC have set out a 'Code of Practice' to ensure all Registered Hearing Aid Dispensers and Employers of Registered Hearing Aid Dispensers maintain a high standard of ethical conduct and proper working practice.

For more information or to acquire a copy of the Code of Practice please visit the Hearing Aid Council at http://www.thehearingaidcouncil.org.uk/

(The Hearing Aid Council is due to be abolished and replaced by the Health Professions Council in 2009)