DIVISION 610
TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS
331-610-0000
Qualification Pathways
To obtain an Oregon hearing aid specialist license, a person must provide completed application documentation prescribed by the agency pursuant to OAR 331-030-0000 and 331-620-0000, provide satisfactory evidence of meeting certification requirements, which includes qualifying criteria listed in one of the following certification pathways, and submit payment of all required fees.
(1) TRAINEE REGISTRATION: An applicant for trainee registration must submit a completed Training Registration Agreement, Declaration of Responsibility required by ORS 694.065(2), and complete core competencies pursuant to OAR 331-610-0010. Documentation must be submitted on agency prescribed forms.
(2) AUDIOLOGIST: An applicant must submit a copy of an Oregon state audiologist license, copy of American Speech and Hearing Association certification in audiology, or copy of official transcripts from an accredited training program in audiology.
(3) OUT-OF-STATE LICENSURE: An applicant must provide documentation, in the form of an Affidavit of Licensure, submitted directly to the agency from the originating state's regulatory office, evidencing that the applicant currently holds or held a hearing aid specialist license within three years immediately prior to the application date and that the licensee has not been subject to disciplinary action involving suspension or revocation, or no action is currently pending against the licensee, and no civil penalties are outstanding against the licensee.
(4) QUALIFYING CREDENTIALS: An applicant must provide documentation evidencing qualification for examination and licensure as a hearing aid specialist. Such documentation may include a copy of certification by the American Board of Otolaryngology, a physician's license showing American Board of Otolaryngology certification, or, a copy of certification from the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 676.605, 676.615, 694.065, 694.155, 694.170
Stats. Implemented: ORS 676.605, 676.615, 694.065, 694.155,
694.170
Hist.: Hist.: HD 24-1985(Temp), f. & ef. 10-17-85; HD 33-1985, f.
& ef. 12-13-85; HD 8-1990, f. 4-4-90, cert. ef. 4-5-90; HD
14-1990, f. 6-1-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; HD 17-1990(Temp), f. 6-15-90,
cert. ef. 7-1-90; HD 21-1990(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-3-90; HD
22-1990, f. & cert. ef. 8-15-90; HD 14-1991(Temp), f. 9-30-91,
cert. ef. 10-1-91; HD 21-1991, f. & cert. ef. 12-31-91; HD
18-1997, f. 12-12-97, cert. ef. 12-15-97; OHD 9-1999, f. & cert.
ef. 11-15-99; OHD 10-2000, f. & cert. ef. 11-15-00: Renumbered
from 333-025-0005(5)-(9), HLO 6-2004, f. 6-29-04, cert. ef.
7-1-04
331-610-0010
Training and/or Experience Requirements
To be approved by the agency, a hearing aid specialist training program must include at least 62 hours of theory and 98 hours of practical experience which must include at least 30 completed procedures covering all of the requirements for audiometric testing, earmold impressions, hearing aid selection, fitting and follow up care, and infection control and cleanliness. A training program must include the following core competencies for hearing aid fitting:
(1) Basic Knowledge -- Theory Hours 15;
(a) General principals of acoustics and hearing/speech acoustics;
(b) Conductive and sensory-neural disorders of hearing;
(c) The human ear: external, middle, and inner;
(d) Applicable Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules;
(2) Hearing aid standards -- Theory Hours 15;
(a) American National Standards Institute;
(b) Food and Drug Administration;
(3) Audiometric Testing -- Theory Hours 10, Practical Hours 35;
(a) Basic equipment check; adequate test environment;
(b) Otoscope technique/client management;
(c) Puretone audiometry; air conduction and bone conduction and recording audiograms;
(d) Masking: air conduction and bone conduction;
(e) Speech reception threshold;
(f) Most comfortable loudness level;
(g) Uncomfortable loudness level;
(h) Speech audiometry;
(4) Earmold impressions -- Theory Hours 5, Practical Hours 15;
(a) Instructions to client;
(b) Otoscopic inspection;
(c) Dam placement and verification;
(d) Impression material preparation and insertion;
(e) Impression removal and evaluation;
(f) Impression handling and preparation for transport;
(5) Hearing aid selection, fitting and follow up care -- Theory Hours 15, Practical Hours 45;
(a) Acoustic couplers;
(b) Hearing aid components;
(c) Physical characteristics of hearing aids;
(d) Electro-acoustic characteristics of hearing aids;
(e) Problem solving;
(f) Hearing aid modification and adaptation;
(g) Basic hearing aid repair;
(6) Infection control and cleanliness -- Theory Hours 2, Practical Hours 3;
(a) Disinfection;
(b) Single use disposable items;
(c) Hand washing.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 676.615, 694.065, 694.155, 694.170
Stats. Implemented: ORS 676.615, 694.065, 694.155, 694.170
Hist.: HD 8-1986, f. & ef. 5-29-86; HD 8-1990, f. 4-4-90, cert. ef. 4-5-90; HD 23-1993, f. 12-30-93, cert. ef. 1-1-94; HD 18-1997, f.12-12-97, cert. ef. 12-15-97: Renumbered from 333-025-0008, HLO 6-2004, f. 6-29-04, cert. ef. 7-1-04
331-610-0020
Trainee Registration
(1) A trainee, registered under ORS 694.065(1) may deal in hearing aids under the direct supervision of a designated supervisor except that a trainee may not fit or sell hearing aids.
(2) The agency will authorize an Oregon licensed hearing aid specialist to act as designated supervisor of a trainee provided the licensee holds a valid license, has been actively practicing for at least three years, and has not had any disciplinary action or civil penalty imposed by the agency.
(3) A licensed hearing aid specialist must not supervise more than four trainees at any one time.
(4) A designated supervisor will not provide training as outlined in OAR 331-610-0010 until a trainee registration agreement and Declaration Of Responsibility has been submitted to the agency.
(5) A designated supervisor must notify the agency in writing within five calendar days if the trainee is no longer being supervised and trained, and must provide a Certification of Training form to the agency showing the number of hours of training completed.
(6) A designated supervisor's authorization may be withdrawn for providing incomplete or inadequate training, falsifying documentation, or allowing the trainee to fit or sell hearing aids.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 676.615, 694.155, 694.095, 694.170
Stats. Implemented: ORS 676.615, 694.155, 694.095, 694.170
Hist.: HD 13-1984, f. & ef. 6-28-84; HD 8-1986, f. & ef.
5-29-86; HD 8-1990, f. 4-4-90, cert. ef. 4-5-90; HD 23-1993, f.
12-30-93, cert. ef. 1-1-94; HD 18-1997, f. 12-12-97, cert. ef.
12-15-97; Renumbered from 333-025-0007(5)-(10), HLO 6-2004, f.
6-29-04, cert. ef. 7-1-04
331-610-0030
Supervision of Temporary Hearing Aid Specialists
(1) An individual who holds a valid Oregon hearing aid specialist license who has been actively practicing for at least three years and has not had any disciplinary action or civil penalty imposed by the agency, may act as a designated supervisor for a temporary licensee. A Declaration of Responsibility form, prescribed by the agency, must be signed and filed with the agency before supervising any temporary hearing aid specialist. The form must indicate the name of the supervising hearing aid specialist, place of business, telephone number, current license number, and the name, address, and license number of the temporary hearing aid specialist.
(2) The testing, fitting, or selling of a hearing aid by a temporary hearing aid specialist shall be performed under the authority, control, and indirect supervision of the licensed hearing aid specialist designated as the supervisor. The designated supervisor must review and approve the temporary hearing aid specialist's work before ordering the recommended hearing aid(s).
(3) A designated supervisor shall exercise management, guidance, and control over the activities of the temporary hearing aid specialist; and shall exercise professional judgment and be responsible for all matters relative to the fitting and selling of a hearing aid.
(4) Approval of a temporary hearing aid specialist's work must be documented by the handwritten signature of the designated supervisor, license number, and date of review placed adjacent to the temporary hearing aid specialist's signature on any audiogram, order form, and office copy of a statement to a prospective hearing aid purchaser as required in ORS 694.036 and 694.042.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 676.615, 694.095, 694.155, 694.170
Stats. Implemented: ORS 676.615, 694.095, 694.155, 694.170
Hist.: HD 13-1984, f. & ef. 6-28-84; HD 8-1986, f. & ef.
5-29-86; HD 8-1990, f. 4-4-90, cert. ef. 4-5-90; HD 23-1993, f.
12-30-93, cert. ef. 1-1-94; HD 18-1997, f. 12-12-97, cert. ef.
12-15-97; Renumbered from 333-025-0007, HLO 6-2004, f. 6-29-04, cert.
ef. 7-1-04
331-610-0040
Examination
(1) After the Health Licensing Office determines training and/or licensure qualifications have been met, applicants will be notified of their eligibility to take or schedule an examination. The examination consists of a written segment covering subjects set forth in ORS 694.075(1) and (3) and a practical or demonstration of skill segments pursuant to 694.075(2).
(2) The written segment of the examination may be a national examination and will include questions covering Oregon law and rules regulating hearing aids.
(3) The examination shall be closed book, prepared and conducted in English.
(4) The practical segment of the examination consists of four sections: audiometric testing, masking, taking earmold impressions, and fitting hearing aids.
(5) Sections of both the written and practical segments of the examination shall be scored separately. The passing score for each section is 70% or above.
(6) Applicants, on initial examination, shall take all sections of both segments of the examination
(7) Applicants shall be mailed notification of the date, time and place of the examination at least 15 calendar days in advance.
(8) Applicants shall be required to provide photographic identification such as a driver's license, and their original Social Security card before being allowed entrance to the examination.
(9) Applicants failing the written segment of the examination shall be given information on examination appeal and/or rescoring procedures. Applicants shall initiate any request for rescoring of the written examination with the agency within 30 calendar days from the date of the notification of the examination results.
(10) Notwithstanding subsections (1) through (9) of this rule, Oregon licensed audiologists will be required to take and pass only the Oregon laws and rules section of the written examination.
(11) Examinations are scheduled at a date and time established by the agency.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 676.605, 676.615, 694.065, 694.075, 694.155,
694.170
Stats. Implemented: ORS 676.605, 676.615, 694.065, 694.075, 694.155,
694.170
Hist.: HB 144, f. 6-27-60; HD 8-1986, f. & ef. 5-29-86; HD
8-1990, f. 4-4-90, cert. ef. 4-5-90; HD 27-1990(Temp), f. & cert.
ef. 12-31-90; HD 3-1991, f. 3-15-91, cert. ef. 4-1-91; HD 23-1993, f.
12-30-93, cert. ef. 1-1-94; HD 17-1994(Temp), f. & cert. ef.
6-15-94; HD 26-1994, f. 9-29-94, cert. ef. 10-1-94; HD 18-1997, f.
12-12-97, cert. ef. 12-15-97; Renumbered from 333-025-0004(1)-(10);
HLO 6-2004, f. 6-29-04, cert. ef. 7-1-04
331-610-0050
Examination Conduct; Disqualification
(1) Examinations are conducted in a designated area with restricted access. Authorization must be provided by the agency before bringing any material or electronic equipment or devices into the examination. Receiving or attempting to receive assistance during the examination, including assistance from other individuals, from notes books or devices or taking unauthorized items into the examination area shall invalidate the examination and result in forfeiture of the examination and fees.
(2) Examination Disqualification: A candidate may be immediately disqualified during or after the examination for conduct that interferes with the examination. Such conduct includes:
(a) Giving or attempting to give assistance to others in answering questions during the examination;
(b) Receiving or attempting to receive assistance during the examination, including assistance from other individuals from notes, books or devices to answer questions;
(c) Removing or attempting to remove any secure examination-related information, notes, or materials from the examination site;
(d) Failing to follow directions relative to the conduct of the examination;
(e) Exhibiting behavior which impedes the normal progress of the examination; and
(f) Endangering the health or safety of a person involved in the examination.
(3) Disqualification will invalidate the examination and result in forfeiture of the examination and fees. The candidate will be required to reapply, submit additional examination fees, and request in writing to schedule another examination. Reexamination will be scheduled at a date, time and place determined by the Director following the date of disqualification.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 676.605, 676.615, 694.065 & 694.155
Stats. Implemented: ORS 676.605, 676.615, 694.065 & 694.155
Hist.: HB 144, f. 6-27-60; HD 8-1986, f. & ef. 5-29-86; HD
8-1990, f. 4-4-90, cert. ef. 4-5-90; HD 27-1990(Temp), f. & cert.
ef. 12-31-90; HD 3-1991, f. 3-15-91, cert. ef. 4-1-91; HD 23-1993, f.
12-30-93, cert. ef. 1-1-94; HD 17-1994(Temp), f. & cert. ef.
6-15-94; HD 26-1994, f. 9-29-94, cert. ef. 10-1-94; HD 18-1997, f.
12-12-97, cert. ef. 12-15-97; Renumbered from 333-025-0004(11)-(13);
HLO 6-2004, f. 6-29-04, cert. ef. 7-1-04
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