West Virginia 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

• Intends to maintain a permanent office or place of business in this state or that the applicant has at the time of application a permanent office or place of business in another state within a reasonable commuting distance from this state
• Be a person of good moral character and that he has never been convicted of nor is presently under indictment for a crime involving moral turpitude
• Be eighteen years of age or older
• Have an education equivalent to a four-year course in an accredited high school
• Be free of chronic infectious or contagious diseases
• Have passed a written and practical exam

Reciprocity

Whenever the board determines that another state or jurisdiction has requirements for the licensing of persons to engage in the practice of dealing in or fitting of hearing aids, which requirements meet the minimum requirements and standards set forth in this state, the board may, in the manner prescribed by its rules and regulations, issue a license without the examination, to any person holding a license in such other state or jurisdiction, upon application, providing such prospective licensee meets all of the requirements set forth in this state.

Continuing Education

Each applicant for renewal of license shall present to the board evidence of continuing study and education of not less than twenty hours in a course of study approved by the board.

Audiologist Dispensing

Audiologists may dispense under an audiology license.

Board Composition

The board of hearing-aid dealers shall be composed of five members to be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The members of the board shall be residents of this state. One member shall be a person licensed to practice medicine in this state and one member shall hold a degree in audiology from an accredited college or university. The remaining three members shall be persons having no less than five years' experience as hearing-aid dealers or fitters and shall hold a valid license under the provisions of this article.

Facilities, Procedures and Instrumentation

The minimum acceptable test records are:

• Pure tone tests, including air and bone conduction with masking where appropriate;
• Speech reception threshold expressed in decibels;
• Most comfortable level expressed in decibels;
• Uncomfortable (tolerance) level expressed in decibels;
• Discrimination scores expressed in percentage with indication of the test word used.

Trial Period

30 days from date of delivery.

Mail Order

Advertise for the mail-order sale of hearing aids in any advertising medium or sell hearing aids by mail to any person other than distributors or dealers.

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 Fitters Law

Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Regulations [PDF]

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