Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 9, September 1, 2024
(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.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS
179.040,
423.020,
423.030 &
423.075
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS
179.040,
423.020,
423.030 &
423.075
