SECTION 310:265-5-8. Procedures and instrumentation in fitting of hearing aids

(a)   Testing.

(1)   All instruments used to measure thresholds shall be annually certified to meet American National Standard Specifications for Audiometer, S3.6-1969 or a standard which supersedes it. In addition, some form of live voice or recorded voice testing must be made to obtain at least a subjective evaluation of the individual's ability to discriminate. In the case of live voice testing, the tests should be run without visual cue. A hearing aid of similar characteristics can be refitted to an individual without a hearing test if this is done within six (6) months of the original fitting and original hearing test.

(2)   Hearing testing for the purpose of fitting hearing aids shall not be conducted where ambient noise levels exceed 45 dB measured on a slow weighted dB (a) scale. If the testing environment exceeds 45 dB, the testing shall be considered a "Hearing Screening" and shall not be utilized to determine the auditory thresholds in the selection of a hearing aid unless a qualified waiver is executed by the person supplied with a hearing aid and is accompanied by written documentation from a competent medical authority as outlined in 310:265-5-8(c).

(b)   Screening. A licensee may conduct a hearing screening at a health fair, state fair, public location or similar facility, but due to excessive background noise commonly found in these environments, measurement of auditory thresholds are not acceptable. A licensee should present to the person receiving the "Hearing Screening" a written statement at the time of the screening containing the following provisions: Results of a "Hearing Screening" are not a medical or audiological evaluation of your ear nor a diagnosis of a hearing disorder. You passed/failed (circle one) the hearing screening. Failing a screening is an indication you need further testing prior to the selection of a hearing aid.

(c)   Qualified waiver. The waiver must be accompanied by written documentation from a competent medical authority that the person supplied with a hearing aid is not ambulatory and any transport of that person would create a serious risk of harm or cause an imminent threat to their health and wellbeing. A qualified waiver may not be utilized at a hearing screening conducted at a health fair, state fair, public location or similar facility that exceeds 45 dB on a slow weighted dB (a) scale.

[Source: Added at 24 Ok Reg 1945, eff 6-25-07; Amended at 33 Ok Reg 1522, eff 11-1-16]