La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § LXXV-137
Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
Section LXXV-137 - Hearing Aid DispensingA. Audiologists who dispense hearing aids shall meet the coursework and practicum requirements for dispensing as specified in R.S. 37:2650 et seq.B. Audiologists who dispense hearing aids shall maintain annual calibration records on audiometric equipment.C. Audiologists who dispense hearing aids shall, regardless of the method of service delivery, comply with the following: 1. Audiologists shall ensure that a pre-purchase evaluation includes:b. an otoscopic examination;c. a basic audiological test battery conducted within the preceding six-month period in a sound-treated environment unless the patient's physical condition prohibits accomplishment of these procedures. The battery shall include: i. basic comprehensive audiometry;ii. appropriate tolerance testing;d. middle ear measurements shall also be obtained when indicated.2. Audiologists shall provide the consumer with a minimum 30-day trial period on all new hearing aids purchased.3. Audiologists shall inform the consumer of the total cost of the hearing aid, including any fees for returning the aid at the end of the trial period.4. Audiologists shall conduct a post-fitting evaluation that includes functional gain measurements conducted in a sound treated environment and/or real ear measurements unless the patient's physical conditions prohibit accomplishment of these procedures.5. Audiologists who engage in the fitting or selling of hearing aids shall deliver to each person supplied with a hearing aid, a bill of sale which shall contain the dispenser's signature, address and license number, together with a description of the make, model and serial number of the hearing aid and the amount charged. The bill of sale shall also indicate whether the hearing aid is new, used, or reconditioned.D. Licensed Audiologists who did not hold a doctoral degree and were not registered to dispense hearing aids prior to August 1, 2016 and who wish to include hearing aid dispensing as a component of their practice, must have proof of appropriate training, education and experience in the area of hearing aid dispensing. These audiologists who wish to include dispensing as part of their practice shall submit a self-study for pre-approval by the board. Upon culmination, the audiologist must submit a report documenting completion. An audiologist who meets the qualifications for licensure but lacks the coursework and practicum requirements necessary for dispensing of hearing aids may fulfill these requirements by: 1. Completing nine months of postgraduate professional employment/experience under the supervision of a licensed dispensing audiologist, and2. Providing proof of the successful completion of a study course by the National Institute for Hearing Instruments Studies, or its equivalent. Equivalency for National Institute for Hearing Instruments Studies is defined as: a. an individualized program of study that shall include:i. hearing aid technology and dispensing courses sponsored by hearing aid manufacturers to include a minimum of 15 clock hours;ii. workshops in the area of hearing aid technology and dispensing sponsored by professional organizations or individual practitioners to include a minimum of 15 clock hours;iii. successful completion of university coursework in the area of hearing aid technology and dispensing.La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § LXXV-137
Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, LR 22:353 (May 1996), amended LR 27:201 (February 2001), LR 28:1975 (September 2002), LR 30:2317 (October 2004), LR 33:2198 (October 2007), LR 37:2398 (August 2011), repromulgated LR 37:2624 (September 2011), amended by the Department of Health, Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, LR 42:1668 (October 2016), LR 45262 (2/1/2019), Amended LR 482747 (11/1/2022), Repromulgated LR 492963 (12/1/2022).AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:2650 et seq.