Georgia Hearing Aid Dispensing Requirements

The profession of hearing aid dispenser is regulated at the state level and each state maintains its own standards for licensure or registration.

Initial Licensure Requirements

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be of good moral character
• Passed a written and practical exam

Reciprocity

A nonresident dispenser's license may be issued to an applicant who holds a current unsuspended, unrevoked license to practice the dispensing of hearing aids in another state or jurisdiction upon payment of the fee provided for a dispenser's license and upon presentation of satisfactory evidence to the board that such other state or jurisdiction has requirements equivalent to or higher than those in effect in this state for the practice of dispensing hearing aids, provided that such state or jurisdiction has a program equivalent to or stricter than that required by this state for determining the qualifications of applicants for a dispenser's license and that such state or jurisdiction has a provision for reciprocity and has entered into a reciprocal agreement with the board.

Continuing Education

As a prerequisite for the renewal of a dispenser's license, the dispenser must provide proof to the board that the dispenser has successfully completed 14 hours of continuing education in a program approved by the board.

Audiologist Dispensing

Audiologists may dispense under audiology license.

Board Composition

The Board of Hearing Aid Dealers and Dispensers consists of seven members; four of whom must hold licenses issued by the board and must have no less than three years' experience as a hearing aid dispenser; one of whom must be a diplomate or eligible for certification by the American Board of Otolaryngology and licensed to practice medicine in this state; one of whom must be a licensed audiologist; and one of whom must be appointed from the public at large. Each member of the board shall be appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Secretary of State.

Facilities, Procedures and Instrumentation

Appropriate procedures to be employed in the selection of a hearing aid mean the making and recording results of tests of air and bone conduction for both ears; testing and recording level of most comfortable loudness and level of discomfort (Tolerance Level). Masking shall be employed and results recorded when appropriate. Speech discrimination tests shall be made, recorded, and used in the selection of hearing aids. Test data used in the selection process shall not be more than 6 months old.

Licensees must use calibrated equipment in the delivery of professional services and must maintain calibration reports for six (6) years. Equipment shall be calibrated annually, or more frequently if in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications, and shall have calibrator's certification that post-calibration readings meet or exceed American National Standards Institute ("ANSI") standards.

Calibration reports shall contain as a minimum the following:

• Audiometer's identification including make, model, and serial number;
• Calibrator's identification including company name and location and name of technician responsible for work;
• Post calibration readings for air and bone conduction, speech, signal leakage, attenuation linearity, and masking;
• Calibrator's certification that post calibration readings meet or exceed ANSI standards;
• Date of calibration.

Trial Period

A hearing aid trial period is not addressed in the law/regulations.

Mail Order

Mail order dispensing is not addressed in the law/regulations.

Resources

The information contained herein was collected and summarized annually. For detailed information on hearing aid dispenser requirements, contact the state board and visit these websites:

Hearing Aid Dealers and Dispensers Law

Board Rules

Questions regarding this document? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.