Oregon 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 a person 18 years of age or older
• Have graduated from high school or has been awarded a General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
• Have completed the training and has the experience required
• Have passed a written and practical exam

Reciprocity

Licensing reciprocity is not addressed in the law/regulations.

Continuing Education

All licensees submitting application for renewal must have completed 24 contact hours of approved continuing education during the preceding two years.

Audiologist Dispensing

Audiologists may dispense under an audiology license.

Board Composition

The Advisory Council on Hearing Aids shall consist of seven members to be appointed by the Governor. Members of the council must be residents of this state. A member of the council may not be a member or employee of the agency. Membership on the council shall consist of: One member who is licensed to practice medicine in this state and holds a certificate of qualification from the American Board of Otolaryngology; One member who holds a clinical certification in audiology with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is a member in good standing with that association; Four members who are experienced in the fitting of hearing aids and possess the required qualifications; and One member who is a consumer of hearing aids and does not possess the professional qualifications of the other members.

Facilities, Procedures and Instrumentation

Licensed hearing aid specialists shall maintain audiometric testing equipment, currently used in the practice of administering evaluations, in proper working order at all times and shall be prepared to provide their record of at least annual calibration to a representative of the agency when so requested, upon inspection, or during an investigation conducted by the agency.

During the hearing test or evaluation for fitting a client with a hearing aid(s), the following items must be completed:

• Puretone Air Conduction Threshold testing (should include at a minimum, the following frequencies -- 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 or 8000 Hz);
• Puretone Bone Conduction Threshold testing (should include at a minimum, the following frequencies -- 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz);
• Speech Recognition Threshold testing (SRT);
• Word Recognition Score (WRS) also known as speech discrimination testing;
• Most Comfortable Listening Level (MCL); and
• Uncomfortable Listening Level (UCL).

Trial Period

30 days from date of delivery.

Mail Order

It is unlawful for any person to offer for sale or sell a hearing aid in this state by direct mail. However, hearing aids may be delivered by mail if the fitting and sale were completed in this state.

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 Specialist Statutes

Hearing Aid Specialist Regulations

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