South Carolina 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 twenty-one years of age
• Have an education equivalent to a four-year course in an accredited high school
• Have passed a written and practical exam.

Reciprocity

When the commission determines that another state or jurisdiction has requirements equivalent to or higher than those in effect pursuant to this chapter and that the state or jurisdiction has a program equivalent to or stricter than the program for determining whether applicants pursuant to this chapter are qualified to dispense and fit hearing aids, the department may issue certificates of endorsement to applicants who hold current unsuspended and unrevoked certificates or licenses to fit and sell hearing aids in the other state or jurisdiction if the applicant is twenty-one years of age.

Continuing Education

The licensee shall annually submit to the Commission proof of having participated in a minimum of eight hours of continuing education during the calendar year.

Audiologist Dispensing

Audiologists may dispense under an audiology license.

Board Composition

Members of the State Commission for Hearing Aid Specialists must be residents of the State. The commission consists of:

• Five licensed hearing aid specialists, and each must be a principal dealer of a different manufacturer's hearing aid who are not audiologists;
• One otolaryngologist;
• One representative of the general public who is a user of a hearing aid, is not associated with a hearing aid specialist or manufacturer, and is not a member of the other groups or professions required to be represented on the commission; and
• The State Health Officer or his designee.

Facilities, Procedures and Instrumentation

The following procedure shall be used in the fitting and selling of hearing aids where applicable:

• Pure tone audiometric testing by air and bone conduction to determine the level of hearing impairment; and
• Speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, sound pressure measurement of the speech frequency range for the purpose of determining the best ear(s) for maximal hearing aid benefit and comfort. Selection of the best instrument to compensate for degree of loss.

The following minimal equipment shall be used in the fitting and selling of hearing aids:

• Pure tone audiometer which shall meet with the latest specification standards as determined by the Department;
• Speech audiometer or a master hearing aid in order to determine the most comfortable listening level and speech discrimination; and
• Ear light or an otoscope, for revealing any obstruction of the auditory canal, shall be free of cerumen and maintained in an aseptic manner at all times.

Audiometers shall be checked for proper calibration as often as deemed necessary but not less than once each year. Evidence of calibration shall be furnished with the license renewal application and a copy maintained on file in the office.

The testing room shall be sufficient in dimensions to accommodate all equipment necessary for the proper testing and evaluation of the client.

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 Specialists Law

Hearing Aid Specialists Regulations [PDF]

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