Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 02-02-043.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 246-828-600 Approval of program for two-year degree in hearing instrument fitter/dispenser instruction, 246-828-605 Site review procedures for initial and continuing approval of program for two-year degree in hearing instrument fitter/dispenser instruction, 246-828-610 Process for rescinding approval of program for two-year degree in hearing instrument fitter/dispenser instruction, and 246-828-615 Two-year degree in hearing instrument fitter/dispenser instruction standards.

     Hearing Location(s): Department of Health, 310 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, on March 3, 2006, at 1:30 p.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: March 3, 2006.

     Submit Written Comments to: Karen Kelley, P.O. Box 47869, Olympia, WA 98504-7869, e-mail www.doh.wa.gov/Rules/default.htm, fax (360) 236-4918, by February 17, 2006.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Karen Kelley by February 24, 2006, TTY 711 or (800) 833-6388.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: RCW 18.35.040 (1)(b) requires satisfactory completion of a two-year degree program in hearing instrument fitter/dispenser instruction.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: RCW 18.35.040 states an applicant for licensure as a hearing instrument fitter/dispenser must complete a two-year degree program in hearing instrument fitter/dispenser instruction approved by the board. Rules need to be established to outline the approval process for two-year degree programs in hearing instrument fitter/dispenser instruction.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.35.040.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.35.040.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Board of Hearing and Speech, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Karen Kelley, 310 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, (360) 236-4856.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. These rules do not impose additional costs on licensed hearing aid fitter dispensers.

     A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Karen Kelley, Board of Hearing and Speech, P.O. Box 47869, Olympia, WA 98504-7869, phone (360) 236-4856, fax (360) 236-4918, e-mail karen.kelley@doh.wa.gov.

October 17, 2005

Karen Kelley

Program Manager

OTS-6962.5

NEW SECTION
WAC 246-828-600   Approval of program for two-year degree in hearing instrument fitter/dispenser instruction.   The minimum educational requirement for licensure to practice as a hearing instrument fitter/dispenser in Washington is satisfactory completion of a two-year degree program in hearing instrument/fitter dispenser instruction approved by the board. The board will consider for approval any program which meets the requirements as outlined in this chapter.

     (1) An authorized representative of an institution may apply for approval from the board.

     (2) The application for approval must be submitted on forms provided by the department.

     (3) The authorized representative of the program may request approval of the program as of the date of the application or retroactively to a specified date.

     (4) The program application for approval must include, but may not be limited to, documentation required by the board pertaining to the standards as set in WAC 246-828-615 two-year degree in hearing instrument fitter/dispenser instruction standards.

     (5) A program must be fully recognized by the appropriate accreditation body in that jurisdiction.

     (6) The board will evaluate the application and may conduct a site inspection of the program prior to granting approval by the board.

     (7) Upon completion of the evaluation of the application, the board may grant or deny approval or grant approval conditioned upon appropriate modification of the application.

     (8) In the event the board denies an application or grants conditional approval, the authorized representative of the applicant's program may request a review within thirty days of the board's adverse decision/action. If a request for review of an adverse action is made more than thirty days following the board's action, the contesting party must submit a new application to be considered for approval.

     (9) The authorized representative of an approved program shall notify the board of significant changes with respect to information provided on the application within sixty days of change.

     (10) The board may inspect an approved program at reasonable intervals for compliance. Refer to WAC 246-828-605 Site review procedures for initial and continuing approval of program for two-year degree in hearing instrument fitter/dispenser instruction. The board may withdraw its approval if it finds the program has failed to comply with requirements of law, administrative rules, or representations in the application.

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     (1) The standards in this section are intended as minimum components of a curriculum, and are not intended as an exact description of program curricula. To assure a graduate is competent and can function on his or her own, the curriculum should be designed to assure proficiency in all these fields through extensive practical work experience in addition to classroom teaching. All the necessary instruments and laboratories based on industry standards are a prerequisite.

     (2) Minimum areas of standard:

     (a) Supervised practicum: Including hands-on experience with patients.

     (b) English composition: Written presentations.

     (c) Occupational communications: Oral presentations, documentation of professional activities.

     (d) Occupational human relations: Code of professional ethics, interpersonal skills, teamwork.

     (e) Basic math and computers: The physics of sound, basic acoustics, methods of programming hearing instruments, calculating pricing, costs and other business-related math skills.

     (f) Hearing instrument sciences: Basic electronics, circuit designs of hearing instruments, testing methodology of instruments, test standards, familiarity with all major instruments on the market, basic signal processing, programming of digital instruments using computers.

     (g) Hearing physiology and anatomy: Anatomy and physiology of the human auditory system.

     (h) Pathophysiology of auditory system: Introductory level study of genetic disorders and infectious diseases of the auditory system.

     (i) Psychological aspects of hearing loss: Curricula should be designed so the student understands:

     (i) How hearing loss affects patients and others close to them;

     (ii) How to follow up with patients after initial fitting; and

     (iii) Methods of teaching communication skills to the hearing-impaired.

     (j) Audiometrics: Performing pure tone and speech audiometry and interpretation, measuring output of instruments both in the lab and in the ear.

     (k) Earmolds: Emphasis on practical skills and safety.

     (l) Instrument selection: Recommending the best technology according to the client's needs from conventional through advanced digital/programmable instruments, including referrals for medical implantable devices.

     (m) Health care and business: Laws governing the profession, insurance aspects, health care management, advertising, marketing and sales.

     (n) Introduction to speech-language pathology.

     (o) Overview of cochlear implants including criteria for referrals for medical implantable devices.

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