PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
(Board of Hearing and Speech)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-828-XXX Prohibiting the use of the title "audioprosthologist."
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.35.161.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Hearing instrument fitter/dispensers can complete a thirteen month American Conference of Audioprosthology (ACA) program through the American Council on Education to enhance their hearing instrument fitter/dispenser (fitter/dispenser) credential. After course completion they are given the title "audioprosthologist." The board of hearing and speech (board) is considering prohibiting the use of the title "audioprosthologist" by hearing instrument fitter/dispensers because it may be misleading to the public. The board will consider whether the title implies a higher level of education and if it might be confusing if consumers believe they are seeing an audiologist.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested parties can participate in the rule-making process by providing comments on proposed language and/or attending a rules workshop. Notices will be sent to interested parties through ListServ and by regular mail. Send written comments to Janette Benham, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47867, Olympia, WA 98504-7867, (360) 236-4857, fax (360) 236-2901, or e-mail janette.benham@doh.wa.gov.
May 20, 2009
Janette Benham
Program Manager