SB389, s. 2 4Section 2. 29.193 (2) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,3,75 29.193 (2) (a) 1. "Accompanied" means being subject to continuous visual or
6voice contact without the aid of any mechanical or electronic amplifying device other
7than a hearing aid instrument.
SB389, s. 3
1Section 3. 29.324 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,4,32 29.324 (1) (a) "Contact" means visual or voice contact without the aid of any
3mechanical or electronic amplifying device other than a hearing aid instrument.
SB389, s. 4 4Section 4. 45.40 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,4,75 45.40 (2) Health care. (a) The department may provide health care aid to a
6veteran for dental care, including dentures; vision care, including eyeglass frames
7and lenses; and hearing care, including hearing aids instruments.
SB389, s. 5 8Section 5. 77.54 (22) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,4,119 77.54 (22) (b) Artificial limbs, artificial eyes, hearing aids instruments and
10other equipment worn as a correction or substitute for any functioning portion of the
11body.
SB389, s. 6 12Section 6. 102.01 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,4,1813 102.01 (2) (c) "Injury" means mental or physical harm to an employee caused
14by accident or disease, and also means damage to or destruction of artificial
15members, dental appliances, teeth, hearing aids instruments and eyeglasses, but, in
16the case of hearing aids instruments or eyeglasses, only if such damage or
17destruction resulted from accident which also caused personal injury entitling the
18employee to compensation therefor either for disability or treatment.
SB389, s. 7 19Section 7. 149.14 (3) (k) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,4,2220 149.14 (3) (k) Rental or purchase, as appropriate, of durable medical
21equipment or disposable medical supplies, other than eyeglasses and hearing aids
22instruments.
SB389, s. 8 23Section 8. 459.01 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 459.01 (1m).
SB389, s. 9 24Section 9. 459.01 (1d) of the statutes is created to read:
SB389,5,4
1459.01 (1d) "Deceptive advertising" means creating, using, or promoting the
2use of any advertising material, promotional literature, testimonial, guarantee,
3warranty, label, brand, insignia, or other representation, however disseminated or
4published, which is misleading, false, or untruthful.
SB389, s. 10 5Section 10. 459.01 (2), (3) and (5) of the statutes are amended to read:
SB389,5,96 459.01 (2) "Hearing aid instrument" means any wearable instrument or device
7designed for or offered for the purpose of aiding or compensating for impaired human
8hearing and any parts, attachments or accessories of such an instrument or device,
9except batteries and cords.
SB389,5,12 10(3) "Hearing instrument specialist" means any person who is or is required to
11be licensed under s. 459.05 to engage in the practice of dealing in or fitting hearing
12aids instruments.
SB389,5,17 13(5) "Practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids instruments" means the
14measurement of human hearing by means of an audiometer or by any other means
15accepted by the examining board solely for the purpose of making selections,
16adaptations or sales of hearing aids instruments intended to compensate for
17impaired hearing. This term also includes making impressions for ear molds.
SB389, s. 11 18Section 11. 459.02 of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,6,3 19459.02 License required to sell and fit hearing aids instruments. (1)
20No person may engage in the practice of selling or fitting hearing aids instruments
21or display a sign or in any other way advertise or represent himself or herself as a
22person who practices the fitting or sale of hearing aids instruments unless he or she
23holds a valid license issued under this subchapter or a valid license or permit to
24practice audiology issued under subch. II. The license required by s. 459.05 shall be
25conspicuously posted in his or her office or place of business as registered with the

1department at all times. Duplicate licenses shall be issued by the department under
2this subchapter to valid license holders operating more than one office without
3additional payment.
SB389,6,11 4(2) Nothing in this subchapter or subch. II shall prohibit any corporation or
5mercantile establishment which maintains an established business address from
6engaging in the business of selling or offering for sale hearing aids instruments at
7retail without a license, provided that for the purpose of selling and fitting hearing
8aids instruments it employs persons licensed under this subchapter or persons
9issued licenses or permits to practice audiology under subch. II. Such corporation
10or mercantile establishment shall annually file with the examining board a list of all
11persons employed for the purpose of selling and fitting hearing aids instruments.
SB389, s. 12 12Section 12. 459.03 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,6,14 13459.03 (title) Receipt required to be furnished to a person supplied with
14hearing
aid instrument.
SB389, s. 13 15Section 13. 459.03 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,6,2316 459.03 (1) Whoever practices fitting or selling of hearing aids instruments
17under this subchapter shall deliver to each person supplied with a hearing aid
18instrument a receipt. The receipt shall contain the licensee's signature and show the
19licensee's business address and license title and number, together with specifications
20as to the make and model of the hearing aid instrument furnished and full terms of
21sale clearly stated. If a hearing aid instrument which is not new is sold, the receipt
22and the container thereof must be clearly marked as "used" or "reconditioned"
23whichever is applicable.
SB389, s. 14 24Section 14. 459.03 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,7,7
1459.03 (2) (b) A statement that the purchaser has been advised at the outset
2of the purchaser's relationship with the hearing instrument specialist that any
3examination or representation made by a hearing instrument specialist in
4connection with the fitting and selling of this hearing aid instrument is not an
5examination, diagnosis or prescription by a person licensed to practice medicine or
6audiology
in this state and therefore must not be regarded as medical or audiological
7opinion or advice.
SB389, s. 15 8Section 15. 459.035 of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,7,13 9459.035 Medical exam before being fitted. A hearing aid instrument shall
10not be fitted for or sold to a person 17 years of age or younger unless within 90 days
11prior to the fitting the person to be fitted has been examined by a physician to
12determine whether or not he or she has any physical deficiencies that would prohibit
13the effective use of a hearing aid instrument.
SB389, s. 16 14Section 16. 459.04 of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,7,17 15459.04 Seller's guarantee. The seller of a hearing aid instrument shall give
16to the purchaser a personal guarantee that is at least identical in its terms to the
17guarantee of the manufacturer of the hearing aid instrument.
SB389, s. 17 18Section 17. 459.05 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,8,519 459.05 (1m) Whenever the examining board determines that another state or
20jurisdiction has requirements equivalent to or higher than those in effect in the state
21for the practice of fitting and selling hearing aids instruments, and that such state
22or jurisdiction has a program equivalent to or stricter than the program for
23determining whether applicants in this state are qualified to fit and sell hearing aids
24instruments, the department may issue a license by reciprocity to applicants who
25hold valid licenses to deal in or fit hearing aids instruments in such other state or

1jurisdiction, who pay the fee specified in s. 440.05 (2) and who are otherwise qualified
2for licensure. No applicant for a license by reciprocity under this subsection shall be
3required to submit to or undergo a qualifying examination, if the applicant
4personally appears at the next meeting of the examining board after filing the
5application to answer any questions the examining board has.
SB389, s. 18 6Section 18. 459.06 (2) (a) (intro.) and 3. and (b) (intro.) and 4. and (3) of the
7statutes are amended to read:
SB389,8,98 459.06 (2) (a) (intro.) Tests of knowledge in the following areas as they pertain
9to the fitting of hearing aids instruments:
SB389,8,1010 3. The function of hearing aids instruments.
SB389,8,1211 (b) (intro.) Practical tests of proficiency in the following techniques as they
12pertain to the fitting of hearing aids instruments:
SB389,8,1413 4. Recording and evaluation of audiograms and speech audiometry to
14determine proper selection and adaption of a hearing aid instrument.
SB389,8,19 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.
SB389, s. 19 20Section 19. 459.07 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,9,321 459.07 (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.
SB389, s. 20 4Section 20. 459.08 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,9,95 459.08 (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.
SB389, s. 21 10Section 21. 459.085 of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,9,15 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).
SB389, s. 22 16Section 22. 459.095 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,9,2517 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).
SB389, s. 23 8Section 23. 459.10 (1) (d) and (e) of the statutes are amended to read:
SB389,10,109 459.10 (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.
SB389,10,1211 (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.
SB389, s. 24 13Section 24. 459.10 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,10,1414 459.10 (1) (g) Engaged in false, misleading or deceptive advertising.
SB389, s. 25 15Section 25. 459.10 (1) (i), (j), (k) and (p) of the statutes are amended to read:
SB389,10,1716 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.
SB389,10,1918 (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.
SB389,10,2320 (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.
SB389,11,224 (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.
SB389, s. 26 3Section 26. 459.10 (1) (q), (r), (s) and (t) of the statutes are created to read:
SB389,11,74 459.10 (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.
SB389,11,98 (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.
SB389,11,1110 (s) Made an intentional or negligent misrepresentation regarding a hearing
11instrument or services.
SB389,11,1412 (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.
SB389, s. 27 15Section 27. 459.14 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,11,1916 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.
SB389, s. 28 20Section 28. 459.20 (2) (a) and (b), (3g) and (3p) of the statutes are amended
21to read:
SB389,12,422 459.20 (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
.
SB389,12,55 (b) Engaging in the practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids instruments.
SB389,12,9 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.
SB389,12,14 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.
SB389, s. 29 15Section 29. 459.22 (2) (b), (c) and (f) of the statutes are amended to read:
SB389,12,1816 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.
SB389,12,2219 (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.
SB389,13,423 (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.
SB389, s. 30 5Section 30. 459.24 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,13,96 459.24 (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).
SB389, s. 31 10Section 31. 459.24 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,13,1411 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).
SB389, s. 32 15Section 32. 459.24 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,13,1916 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
.
SB389, s. 33 20Section 33. 459.24 (3) (d) of the statutes is renumbered 459.24 (3) (d) (intro.)
21and amended to read:
SB389,13,2422 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:
SB389,14,5
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
.
SB389, s. 34 6Section 34. 459.24 (3) (d) 2. and 3. of the statutes are created to read:
SB389,14,127 459.24 (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.
SB389,14,1613 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.
SB389, s. 35 17Section 35. 459.24 (3) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB389,14,2518 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)
.
SB389, s. 36
1Section 36. 459.24 (3) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:
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