| Hearing Aids: How to Get Licensed |
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| Scope of Practice |
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Hearing aid specialists recommend, select or adapt hearing aids and may alter, adjust or reconstruct hearing aid specifications for functionality, such as taking ear impressions for proper fit.
A hearing aid is defined under Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 694.015(3) as any prosthetic instrument or device designed for or represented as aiding, improving or correcting defective human hearing and any parts, attachments or accessories of such an instrument or device.
Hearing aids are not, however, devices for treating or correcting hearing impairment that are surgically implanted, such as cochlear implants.
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| Audiologist Requirement Update |
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As of January 1, 2010, audiologists will no longer be required to be licensed hearing aid specialists to fit and sell hearing aids. The Oregon Health Licensing Agency and Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology are working collaboratively to provide an effective transition.
Click here to learn more about the licensing requirement change.
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| Education & Training |
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Applicants for licensure must obtain the following from a licensed hearing aid specialist as a hearing aid specialist trainee:
- At least 62 hours of training in theory, including general principles of acoustics and hearing/speech acoustics, audiometric testing and hearing aid standards
- And 98 hours of practical, supervised training on testing, earmold impressions, infection control, and hearing aid selection, fitting and follow-up care
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| Application Process |
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In addition to completing an application, paying fees and providing documentation regarding proof of age, identification and secondary education, applicants must provide the following:
Trainee Registration - Applicants must complete a Trainee Registration Agreement and Declaration of Responsibility required by ORS 694.065(2).
Temporary License - Individuals who have obtained the required training may apply for a temporary license, which allows them to practice under the supervision of a licensed specialist until they are able to pass the written and practical examinations.
A Certification of Training form must be completed before an application for a temporary license may be submitted.
For more information, click here to go to the Forms page.
Please read: NEW Identification requirements effective December 1, 2008.
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| Out-of-State Applicants |
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Applicants must provide documentation, in the form of an affidavit of licensure, submitted directly to the Oregon Health Licensing Agency from the originating state’s regulatory office, providing evidence that the applicant currently holds or held a hearing aid specialist license within the past three years.
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