Current through Rules and Regulations filed through March 20, 2024
(1) Licensees shall make every effort to
select and use assessment instruments, techniques or procedures that are valid,
reliable and appropriate for the individual client.
(2) Licensees shall provide the client with
an orientation to the purpose of assessment or to the proposed use of
assessment results prior to administration of assessment instruments,
techniques or procedures.
(3)
Licensees shall administer assessment instruments, including technology based
assessment instruments, which are within the licensee's competence for scoring
and interpretation.
(a) Speech-Language
Pathologist.
1. A Speech-Language Pathologist
who is not licensed in Audiology may perform nondiagnostic hearing screenings
for the purposes of either performing a speech and language evaluation or for
the initial identification of individuals with other communication disorders. A
non-diagnostic hearing screening shall be defined as a pure tone air conduction
procedure which is conducted in a manner such that the results can only be
reported on a pass/fail basis. A report of the screening results may include
ear specific information regarding frequencies tested and intensity criteria
(screening levels).
2. Other
audiological screenings may be performed only when monitored by a licensed
Audiologist. These audiological screenings must be conducted in a manner such
that the results can only be reported on a pass/fail basis. The licensed
audiologist is ultimately liable for the quality of such services and any
complaints against the speech-language pathologist regarding these services
shall be viewed by the Board as a complaint against the licensed
audiologist.
(b)
Audiologist.
1. An audiologist who is not
licensed as a speech-language pathologist may perform a non-diagnostic speech
and language screening for the purposes of performing either an audiological
evaluation or for the initial identification of individuals with other
communicative disorders. A non-diagnostic speech and language screening is a
procedure conducted in a manner such that the results can only be reported on a
pass/fail basis.
2. Other speech
and language screenings may be performed only when monitored by a licensed
speech-language pathologist. These speech and language screenings must be
conducted in a manner such that the results can only be reported on a pass/fail
basis. The licensed speech-language pathologist is ultimately liable for the
quality of such services and any complaints against the audiologist regarding
these services shall be viewed by the Board as a complaint against the licensed
speech-language pathologist.
3.
Licensees shall perform a visual inspection of the ear and ear canal prior to
any audiological testing.
(4) Licensees shall record results accurately
and in language which is clear and understandable.
(5) Licensees shall make available to the
client, upon request, copies of any assessment results in the possession of the
licensee which have been prepared for and paid for by the client.
(6) Licensees shall use only reliable
assessment data to select or recommend specific products to be dispensed or
services to be rendered.
(a) Test data used
for the selection of a hearing aid shall not be more than six months old. This
shall not apply for the replacement of a hearing aid with a hearing aid of the
same make and model unless new testing is required by the consumer's age,
history or condition.
(b)Audiometric testing must be performed
using a wide range audiometer which meets the specifications of the American
National Standards Institute (s3.6-1996 or current American National Standard
Institute standard) for diagnostic audiometers.
(7) A hearing aid is defined as a wearable
sound-amplifying device that is intended to compensate for impaired hearing As
such, any device marketed, labeled or otherwise stated or claims to improve
impaired hearing is by definition a hearing aid, whether the claim was overt or
implied. Further, any wearable device which claims to have characteristics or
features that would only be necessary to improve impaired hearing (i.e. noise
reduction, multiple bands or channels, noise cancellation, feedback reduction,
etc.) would be considered a hearing aid. This definition of hearing aid shall
not apply to cochlear implants, active middle ear implants, auditory brainstem
implants and osseointegrated implants.
OCGA §§
43-44-3, 43-44-6, and
43-1-19.
Ga. L. 1974, pp. 1009, 1013; O.C.G.A. Secs. 84-6705(c);
43-1-19, 43-44-3, 43-44-6, 43-44-6(a)(4).
