Ariz. Admin. Code § 9-13-108

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 26, June 28, 2024

Section R9-13-108 - [Effective until 7/7/2024] Screener Qualifications

A. An individual may be a screener:

1. If the individual is an audiologist, or

2. If the individual:

a. Is at least 18 years of age;

b. Has a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma;

c. Has the ability to recognize a student's response to hearing a range of tones at different pitches and volumes; and

d. Has a current certificate of completion specified in subsection (F).

B. For an individual, who is not an audiologist, to become a screener, the individual shall complete classroom instruction for pure tone audiometry provided by a trainer:

1. Introduction to hearing screening for children, including the:

a. Development of speech and language,

b. Anatomy and physiology of the ear,

c. Signs of hearing loss in children,

d. Prevention of hearing loss in children,

e. Otitis media, and

f. Infection control;

2. Essentials for hearing screening children, including:

a. Auditory development;

b. Rationale for early identification of hearing loss;

c. When, how, and on whom hearing screening is performed; and

d. How to set up a hearing screening, including the selection of a method to use for hearing screening and a location to conduct hearing screening;

3. Hearing screening protocols, including:

a. Possible results of hearing screening;

b. Screener requirements specified in this Article;

c. Procedures for tracking students expected to receive hearing screening and recording hearing screening results;

d. Notification of and communication with the parents of students;

e. The information that a parent of a student who does not pass a hearing screening is requested to obtain from the student's specialist and provide to the student's school;

f. When and to whom a student's hearing loss is required to be reported;

g. Procedures for reporting hearing screening results to the Department;

h. What resources are available to the parent of a student who does not pass hearing screening; and

i. Requirements in A.R.S. Title 36, Chapter 7.2 and requirements in this Article in addition to screener requirements; and

4. Audiological equipment, including:

a. A pure tone audiometer:

i. How a pure tone audiometer works;

ii. Checking the pure tone audiometer and earphones before performing hearing screening;

iii. Earphone placement;

iv. Performing hearing screening using a pure tone audiometer;

v. Identifying students who need a second hearing screening; and

vi. Identifying students for whom notification of a parent is required; and

b. An otoacoustic emission device:

i. How an otoacoustic emission device works;

ii. Why and when it is appropriate to use an otoacoustic emissions device is used during hearing screening;

iii. Performing a hearing screening using an otoacoustic emissions device with a remote probe;

iv. Identifying students who need a second hearing screening; and

v. Identifying students for whom notification of a parent is required.

C. An individual who has completed the hearing screening instruction in subsection (B) may request training in the use of a tympanometer by completing the following classroom instruction provided by a trainer:

1. How a tympanometer works;

2. Why and when it is appropriate to use a tympanometer during hearing screening;

3. The anatomy and functions of the middle ear and Eustachian tube;

4. How to use a tympanometer;

5. Identifying students who need a second hearing screening; and

6. Identifying students for whom notification of a parent is required.

D. Obtain a score of at least 80% on a written examination that covers the classroom instruction specified in subsection (B) or (C).

E. Demonstrate competency in the use of the audiological equipment specified in subsection (B) or (C) that an individual received classroom instruction.

F. Obtain a certificate of completion in a Department-provided format from the trainer who provided the classroom instruction, examination, and competency assessment specified in (B) through (E), as applicable, that includes:

1. The individual's name;

2. The hearing screening methods specified in subsections (B) or (C) completed by the individual;

3. The date the individual completed the classroom instruction in subsection (B) or (C);

4. The date the individual completed the hearing screening:

a. Examination; and

b. Assessment, including the type of audiological equipment;

5. The certificate of completion issue date;

6. An attestation that the classroom instruction provided to the individual meets the requirements in subsection (B) or (C); and

7. The trainer's printed name and date issued.

G. A screener's certificate of completion expires four years from the issue date indicated on the certificate of completion specified in subsection (F).

H. Prior to the expiration date of a certificate of completion, a screener shall complete the requirements in subsection (I) to renew the screener's certificate of completion.

I. A screener, who is not an audiologist, wanting to renew a certificate of completion shall:

1. Complete two hearing screening continuing education units each year:

a. Specified by the Department according to subsection (J), and

b. Applicable to the type of audiological equipment that the screener uses when performing a hearing screening;

2. As provided by a trainer:

a. Complete four hours of classroom instruction related to:

i. Development of speech and language,

ii. Essentials for hearing screening children, and

iii. Hearing screening protocols;

b. Obtain a score of at least 80% on a written examination that covers the hearing screening requirements in subsection (a); and

c. Demonstrate competency in the use of the audiological equipment consistent with the hearing screening training received in subsection (1) and (2);

3. Obtain a certificate of completion in a Department-provided format from the trainer who provided classroom instruction, the examination, and competency assessment in subsection (2) that includes:

a. The screener's name;

b. The hearing screening methods specified in subsection (1);

c. The date the screener completed the methods in subsection (1);

d. The date the screener completed the hearing screening:

i. Examination; and

ii. Assessment, including the type of audiological equipment;

e. The certificate of completion issue date;

f. An attestation that the classroom instruction provided to the screener meets the requirements in subsections (1) and (2); and

g. The trainer's printed name.

J. By January 1 of each calendar year, the Department shall provide a list of Department-approved continuing education courses.

K. An individual who does not score at least 80% on a written examination in subsection (D) may retake the written examination. If an individual does not score at least 80% on the second written examination, the individual shall repeat classroom instruction in subsection (B) or (C) before taking a third written examination.

L. A screener, who does not score at least 80% on a written examination for renewal in subsection (I), may retake the written examination. A screener, who does not score at least 80% on the second written examination, shall repeat the classroom instruction in subsection (I)(1) and (2) before taking a third written examination.

M. An individual who is not a screener:

1. May use a pure tone audiometer to perform an initial three-frequency, pure tone hearing screening for a student, specified in R9-13-103(G)(1), under the supervision of a screener; and

2. Shall not perform a hearing screening:

a. For a student who did not pass an initial hearing screening,

b. Using a combination of a tympanometer and a pure tone audiometer according to R9-13-103(G)(2); or

c. Using an OAE specified in R9-13-103(G)(3).

Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-13-108

Adopted effective February 18, 1986 (Supp. 86-1). Amended effective October 15, 1993 (Supp. 93-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 8 A.A.R. 3307, effective July 16, 2002 (Supp. 02-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 25 A.A.R. 1827, effective 7/2/2019.