Or. Admin. Code § 291-124-0048

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 12, December 1, 2024

Section 291-124-0048 - Audiogram Examinations and Hearing Aids

(1) Audiogram Examination: Health Services, after conducting a medical evaluation to identify possible medically or surgically correctable causes of the reported hearing loss, shall refer an AIC who reports subjective hearing loss for an audiogram evaluation. Health Services shall authorize an audiogram examination and hearing aid or hearing aids for an AIC who reports subjective hearing loss that meets the requirements of Level 3 Care or Treatment under OAR 291-124-0041.

(2) Hearing Aids: Health Services shall authorize and provide a monoaural hearing aid or binaural hearing aids, when clinically indicated, at least once every five years.

(a) Health Services will provide an authorized hearing aid within sixty (60) days of that determination (subject to the availability and scheduling of any outside vendors or suppliers.) Necessary repairs or recalibration of a hearing will occur within sixty (60) days of delivery to an audiologist for repair or recalibration (subject to the availability and scheduling of any outside vendors or suppliers).

(b) Any AIC provided hearing aids will receive at least one follow-up appointment with an audiologist within six (6) months of receiving their hearing aids (subject to audiologist availability and scheduling), and as many subsequent as are necessary to ensure the hearing aids are properly balanced.

(c) An AIC with an authorized hearing aid shall have annual evaluations to ensure the hearing aids remain effective. If there is a threshold shift of 10dB or more across any tested frequency, the AIC will be referred to an audiologist.

(d) Health Services shall authorize and provide the repair or replacement of a hearing aid provided under this rule, as clinically indicated and appropriate. If an AIC's hearing aids are sent out for repairs, if practicable, the AIC will be provided with any available hearing aid substitutes, and referred to institution ADA Coordinator to ensure the AIC has necessary accommodations for effective communication.

(e) Health Services shall authorize and provide for replacement batteries at state expense and at no cost to the adult in custody, on a schedule that is consistent with ordinary use of the hearing aid.

(f) Health Services may decline to provide a hearing aid, repair, replacement, or battery under this rule, in the event an AIC misuses, alters, abuses, damages (ordinary wear and tear excepted,) or intentionally destroys another previously issued or approved hearing aid or hearing aid battery. Any decision pursuant to this subsection shall be made after consulting with Behavioral Health Services, and the institution or statewide ADA coordinator, where appropriate, prior to declining to pay for a repair or replacement.

(3) All healthcare provided under this rule remains subject to OAR 291-124-0041, including clinical review.

Or. Admin. Code § 291-124-0048

DOC 17-2024, adopt filed 08/13/2024, effective 8/13/2024

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 179.040, 423.020, 423.030 & 423.075

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 179.040, 423.020, 423.030 & 423.075