AB610,8,1010 3. The function of hearing aids instruments.
AB610,8,1211 (b) (intro.) Practical tests of proficiency in the following techniques as they
12pertain to the fitting of hearing aids instruments:
AB610,8,1413 4. Recording and evaluation of audiograms and speech audiometry to
14determine proper selection and adaption of a hearing aid instrument.
AB610,8,19 15(3) The applicant for license by examination shall appear at a time and place
16as the examining board designates, to be examined by means of written and practical
17tests in order to demonstrate that he or she is qualified to practice the fitting of
18hearing aids instruments. Such examinations shall be conducted at least twice a
19year and at such other times and places designated by the examining board.
AB610, s. 19 20Section 19. 459.07 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB610,9,321 459.07 (2) Upon receiving an application under this section, accompanied by
22the fee under s. 440.05 (6), the examining board may grant a trainee permit which
23may entitle the applicant to practice fitting of hearing aids instruments for a period
24of one year. A person holding a valid hearing instrument specialist license issued
25under this subchapter or a valid license to practice audiology issued under s. 459.24

1(3) shall be responsible for the direct supervision and training of the applicant and
2shall be liable for all negligent acts and omissions of the trainee in the fitting of
3hearing aids instruments.
AB610, s. 20 4Section 20. 459.08 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB610,9,95 459.08 (1) A person who holds a license shall notify the department in writing
6or in accordance with other notification procedures approved by the department of
7the regular address of the places where he or she engages or intends to engage in the
8practice of fitting or selling hearing aids instruments. The licensee shall inform the
9board of any changes in these addresses within 30 days of the change.
AB610, s. 21 10Section 21. 459.085 of the statutes is amended to read:
AB610,9,15 11459.085 Calibration of audiometric equipment. Audiometric equipment
12used in the evaluation of hearing sensitivity for the fitting and sale of hearing aids
13instruments shall be calibrated periodically, as specified by rule by the examining
14board. Certification of these calibrations shall be sent to the examining board with
15the renewal fee required in s. 459.09 (1) (a).
AB610, s. 22 16Section 22. 459.095 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB610,9,2517 459.095 (3) In consultation with the department, promulgate rules that
18require each person issued a license under this subchapter to whom s. 459.09 (1) (b)
19applies to complete a specified continuing education program or course of study to
20ensure competence with respect to a matter related to the practice of fitting and
21dealing in hearing aids instruments if the examining board has received a significant
22number of consumer complaints about the matter or if the examining board
23otherwise determines that there is a need for such a requirement. Rules
24promulgated under this subsection shall establish criteria for the examining board's
25approval of the continuing education program or course of study and of sponsors and

1cosponsors of the continuing education program or course of study. The rules shall
2also require the examining board to administer, prior to the continuing education
3program or course of study, an examination on the matter that is the subject of the
4continuing education program or course of study and to waive a requirement to
5complete the continuing education program or course of study if a person granted a
6license under this subchapter passes the examination. A person who takes an
7examination specified in this subsection shall pay the fee specified in s. 440.05 (1) (b).
AB610, s. 23 8Section 23. 459.10 (1) (d) and (e) of the statutes are amended to read:
AB610,10,109 459.10 (1) (d) Been found guilty of an offense the circumstances of which
10substantially relate to the practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids instruments.
AB610,10,1211 (e) Violated this subchapter or ch. 440 or any federal or state statute or rule
12which relates to the practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids instruments.
AB610, s. 24 13Section 24. 459.10 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB610,10,1414 459.10 (1) (g) Engaged in false, misleading or deceptive advertising.
AB610, s. 25 15Section 25. 459.10 (1) (i), (j), (k) and (p) of the statutes are amended to read:
AB610,10,1716 459.10 (1) (i) Failed to conduct a direct observation of the ear canal of a person
17for whom a hearing aid instrument is purchased.
AB610,10,1918 (j) Engaged in conduct which evidenced a lack of knowledge or ability to apply
19principles or skills of the practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids instruments.
AB610,10,2320 (k) Engaged in unprofessional conduct. In this subsection, "unprofessional
21conduct" means the violation of any standard of professional behavior which through
22experience, state statute or administrative rule has become established in the
23practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids instruments.
AB610,11,224 (p) Sold a hearing aid instrument for use by a person who was not given tests
25by a hearing instrument specialist or an audiologist licensed under this chapter or

1in another state using appropriate procedures and instrumentation or without
2proper measurement of the functional intensity and range of the person's hearing.
AB610, s. 26 3Section 26. 459.10 (1) (q), (r), (s) and (t) of the statutes are created to read:
AB610,11,74 459.10 (1) (q) Intentionally or negligently misrepresented that the services or
5advice of a physician or audiologist will be used or made available in the fitting, sale,
6adjustment, service, maintenance, or repair of a hearing instrument when such
7services or advice will not be used or made available.
AB610,11,98 (r) Intentionally or negligently misrepresented the cause of a hearing
9impairment or the cure of a hearing impairment, by the use of a hearing instrument.
AB610,11,1110 (s) Made an intentional or negligent misrepresentation regarding a hearing
11instrument or services.
AB610,11,1412 (t) Misused the words "doctor," "clinic," "clinical," or other words, abbreviations,
13or symbols that imply the involvement of the medical or audiology professions in the
14absence of such involvement.
AB610, s. 27 15Section 27. 459.14 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB610,11,1916 459.14 (2) This subchapter does not apply to a person engaged in the practice
17of measuring human hearing for selecting hearing aids instruments or any other
18purpose if the person or the organization employing such person does not sell hearing
19aids instruments or hearing accessories.
AB610, s. 28 20Section 28. 459.20 (2) (a) and (b), (3g) and (3p) of the statutes are amended
21to read:
AB610,12,422 459.20 (2) (a) Applying principles, methods, or procedures of prevention,
23identification, assessment, measurement, interpretation, evaluation, consultation,
24intervention, treatment, conservation, management, counseling, instruction, or
25research related to hearing, vestibular function, or any abnormal condition related

1to tinnitus, auditory sensitivity, acuity, function or processing, speech, language, or
2other aberrant behavior resulting from hearing loss for the purpose of diagnosing
3such abnormal condition and designing and implementing a plan for the treatment,
4management, or amelioration of such abnormal condition
.
AB610,12,55 (b) Engaging in the practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids instruments.
AB610,12,9 6(3g) "Hearing aid instrument" means any wearable or implantable instrument
7or device designed for or offered for the purpose of aiding or compensating for
8impaired human hearing and any parts, attachments or accessories of such an
9instrument or device, except batteries and cords.
AB610,12,14 10(3p) "Practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids instruments" means the
11measurement of human hearing by means of an audiometer or by any other means
12accepted by the examining board for the purpose of making selections, adaptations
13or sales of hearing aids instruments intended to compensate for impaired hearing,
14and includes making impressions for ear molds.
AB610, s. 29 15Section 29. 459.22 (2) (b), (c) and (f) of the statutes are amended to read:
AB610,12,1816 459.22 (2) (b) Authorize a speech-language pathologist licensed under this
17subchapter to dispense or sell hearing aids instruments without obtaining a hearing
18instrument specialist license under subch. I.
AB610,12,2219 (c) Require a hearing instrument specialist licensed under subch. I to be
20licensed as an audiologist under this subchapter to engage in the testing of hearing
21or in other practices or procedures solely for the purpose of fitting or selling hearing
22aids instruments.
AB610,13,423 (f) Require an individual to be licensed under this subchapter to engage in the
24practice of speech-language pathology or audiology, other than engaging in the
25practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids instruments, in a position for which the

1department of public instruction requires licensure as a speech and language
2pathologist or audiologist, if the individual's entire practice of speech-language
3pathology or audiology, other than engaging in the practice of fitting and dealing in
4hearing aids instruments, is limited to the duties of that position.
AB610, s. 30 5Section 30. 459.24 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB610,13,96 459.24 (1) (a) Engage in the practice of speech-language pathology or use the
7title "speech-language pathologist" or any similar title without limitation by
8enumeration
unless the person holds a current speech-language pathologist license
9granted by the examining board under sub. (2) or (6) (a).
AB610, s. 31 10Section 31. 459.24 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB610,13,1411 459.24 (1) (b) Engage in the practice of audiology or use the title "audiologist,"
12"clinical audiologist," or any similar title without limitation by enumeration unless
13the person holds a current audiologist license granted by the examining board under
14sub. (3) or (6) (b).
AB610, s. 32 15Section 32. 459.24 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB610,13,1916 459.24 (1m) Prohibited titles. No person may use the title "certified hearing
17aid audiologist," "audioprosthologist," "certified hearing instrument audiologist,"
18"licensed hearing instrument audiologist,
" or "licensed hearing aid audiologist", or
19any similar title without limitation by enumeration
.
AB610, s. 33 20Section 33. 459.24 (3) (d) of the statutes is renumbered 459.24 (3) (d) (intro.)
21and amended to read:
AB610,13,2422 459.24 (3) (d) (intro.) Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board
23that he or she has completed a supervised clinical practicum and received satisfied
24one of the following:
AB610,14,5
11. Received a master's degree in audiology from a college or university
2approved by the examining board, or has completed education or training that the
3examining board determines is substantially equivalent to the completion of those
4requirements. This subdivision applies to applications received on or before
5December 31, 2008
.
AB610, s. 34 6Section 34. 459.24 (3) (d) 2. and 3. of the statutes are created to read:
AB610,14,127 459.24 (3) (d) 2. Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he
8or she possesses a doctoral degree in audiology from an accredited academic
9institution approved by the board by rule. The doctoral degree program must consist
10of not less than 3 years of educational course work and not less than 12 months of
11clinical rotation or externship. This subdivision applies to applications received
12after December 31, 2008.
AB610,14,1613 3. Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has
14completed education or training that the examining board determines is
15substantially equivalent to the requirements under subd. 2. This subdivision applies
16to applications received after December 31, 2008.
AB610, s. 35 17Section 35. 459.24 (3) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB610,14,2518 459.24 (3) (e) Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or
19she has passed the examination required for certification as an audiologist by the
20American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or passes an examination under
21s. 459.26 (2) (a) to determine fitness as an audiologist,
selected or approved by the
22board by rule under s. 459.26 (2) (b),
or has completed education or training that the
23examining board determines is substantially equivalent to passing one of those
24examinations in determining fitness as an audiologist
the examination selected or
25approved by the board under s. 459.26 (2) (b)
.
AB610, s. 36
1Section 36. 459.24 (3) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB610,15,62 459.24 (3) (f) Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or
3she has completed a postgraduate clinical fellowship in audiology approved by the
4examining board or has completed education or training that the examining board
5determines is substantially equivalent to the completion of such a fellowship. This
6paragraph applies to applications received on or before December 31, 2008.
AB610, s. 37 7Section 37. 459.24 (3m) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB610,15,118 459.24 (3m) Fitting and sale of hearing aids instruments. An audiologist
9licensed under this subchapter or an individual granted a permit to practice
10audiology under this subchapter who engages in the practice of fitting and dealing
11in hearing aids instruments shall do all of the following:
AB610,15,1912 (a) Deliver to each person supplied with a hearing aid instrument a receipt.
13The receipt shall contain the signature and show the business address and, license
14or permit title, and number of the licensee or permittee, together with specifications
15as to the make and model of the hearing aid instrument and full terms of sale clearly
16stated. If a hearing aid instrument that is not new is sold, the receipt and the
17container must be clearly marked as "used" or "reconditioned", whichever is
18applicable. The terms of the guarantee, if there is any given, shall be set out in not
19less than 8-point type.
AB610,15,2220 (b) Give to a purchaser of a hearing aid instrument a personal guarantee that
21is at least identical in its terms to the guarantee given by the manufacturer of the
22hearing aid instrument.
AB610, s. 38 23Section 38. 459.24 (6) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB610,16,524 459.24 (6) (b) Upon application, the The examining board may grant a
25temporary license to practice audiology to an applicant who, during the completion

1of the postgraduate fellowship required under sub. (3) (f) if the applicant, practices
2under the supervision of an audiologist licensed under sub. (3), satisfies the
3requirements under sub. (3) (a) to (d), and has submitted an application to take the
4next available examinations for licensure as an audiologist under s. 459.26 (2) (a) and
5(b). No license may be issued under this paragraph after December 31, 2008.
AB610, s. 39 6Section 39. 459.26 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB610,16,137 459.26 (2) (a) Examinations for speech-language pathologists shall consist of
8the examinations required for certification as a speech-language pathologist or as
9an audiologist
by the American speech-language-hearing association or may consist
10of other written tests that require applicants to demonstrate minimum competency
11in services and subjects substantially related to the practice of speech-language
12pathology or audiology and that are substantially equivalent to the examinations
13required for such certification.
AB610, s. 40 14Section 40. 459.26 (2) (b) (intro.) and 4. of the statutes are amended to read:
AB610,16,1915 459.26 (2) (b) (intro.) The examining board shall by rule select and approve
16examinations for audiology.
An applicant for an audiologist license shall also
17complete an examination administered by the examining board that consists of
18practical tests of proficiency in techniques that pertain to the fitting of hearing aids
19instruments, including the following:
AB610,16,2120 4. Recording and evaluation of audiograms and speech audiometry to
21determine proper selection and adaption adaptation of a hearing aid instrument.
AB610, s. 41 22Section 41. 459.34 (2) (ce), (cm) and (cs) of the statutes are amended to read:
AB610,16,2523 459.34 (2) (ce) Violated any federal or state statute, rule or regulation that
24relates to the practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids instruments. This
25paragraph does not apply to speech-language pathologists.
AB610,17,3
1(cm) Failed to conduct a direct observation of the ear canal of a person for whom
2a hearing aid instrument is purchased. This paragraph does not apply to
3speech-language pathologists.
AB610,17,84 (cs) Sold a hearing aid instrument for use by a person who was not given tests
5by a hearing instrument specialist or audiologist licensed under this chapter or in
6another state using appropriate procedures and instrumentation or without proper
7measurement of the functional intensity and range of the person's hearing. This
8paragraph does not apply to speech-language pathologists.
AB610, s. 42 9Section 42. 459.34 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB610,17,1110 459.34 (2) (d) Advertised Engaged in a manner which is false, deceptive or
11misleading
advertising.
AB610, s. 43 12Section 43. 459.34 (2) (i) of the statutes is created to read:
AB610,17,1613 459.34 (2) (i) Intentionally or negligently misrepresented that the professional
14services or advice of a physician or audiologist will be used or made available in the
15fitting, sale, adjustment, service, maintenance, or repair of a hearing instrument
16when such services or advice will not be used or made available.
AB610, s. 44 17Section 44. 459.34 (2) (j) of the statutes is created to read:
AB610,17,1918 459.34 (2) (j) Made an intentional or negligent misrepresentation regarding a
19hearing instrument or services.
AB610, s. 45 20Section 45. 459.34 (2) (k) of the statutes is created to read:
AB610,17,2321 459.34 (2) (k) Misused the words "doctor," "clinic," "clinical," or other words,
22abbreviations, or symbols that imply the involvement of the medical or audiology
23professions in the absence of such involvement.
AB610, s. 46 24Section 46. 968.27 (7) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB610,18,2
1968.27 (7) (b) A hearing aid instrument or similar device being used to correct
2subnormal hearing to not better than normal.
AB610,18,33 (End)
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