Background:

I. Hearing Instrument Fitters/Dispensers.

A hearing instrument fitter/dispenser is authorized to sell, lease, or rent hearing instruments; modify hearing instruments; administer non-diagnostic tests; and use other procedures essential to these functions. The practice of fitting and dispensing hearing instruments includes:

recommending specific hearing instrument systems, specific hearing instruments, or specific hearing instrument characteristics;
taking impressions for ear molds;
using non-diagnostic procedures and equipment to verify the appropriateness of the hearing instrument fitting; and
performing hearing instrument orientation.

II. Qualifications.

To be licensed as a hearing instrument fitter/dispenser, a person must:

complete a two-year degree program in hearing instrument fitter/dispenser education approved by the Board of Hearing and Speech (Board) and pass an examination;
hold a current, unsuspended, unrevoked license from another jurisdiction whose standards are substantially equivalent to Washington's; or
hold a current, unsuspended, unrevoked license from another jurisdiction; demonstrate that he or she has actively practiced in the other jurisdiction for at least 48 of the past 60 months; achieve active certification from the International Hearing Society or the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences; and pass an examination.

Summary of Engrossed Bill:

I. Hearing Instrument Fitters/Dispensers.

Hearing instrument fitters/dispensers are re-named "hearing aid specialists."

II. Qualifications.

Two alternate paths to certification are created for hearing aid specialists: a nine-month certificate program and a work-based learning pathway.

A. Nine-Month Certificate.

A person may be certified as a hearing aid specialist if he or she satisfactorily completes:

a Board-approved, nine-month certificate program offered by a Board-approved hearing aid specialist program;
a practical examination approved by the Board, which must be given at least quarterly and may be proctored by industry experts hired by the Board; and
the hearing aid specialist examination.

B. Work-Based Learning Pathway.

A person may be certified as a hearing aid specialist if he or she successfully completes:

a two-year or four-year degree in a Board-approved field of study from an institution of higher education;
a work-based learning pathway;
a practical examination approved by the Board, which must be given at least quarterly and may be proctored by industry experts hired by the Board; and
the hearing aid specialist examination.

In order to begin a work-based learning pathway, an applicant must obtain an interim work-based learning permit. The applicant must be issued a permit if he or she has completed a two-year or four-year degree in a Board-approved field of study from an institution of higher education (or current enrollment in such a degree program, with no more than one full-time academic year remaining) and designate a licensed hearing aid specialist or licensed audiologist who has agreed to supervise the applicant. The interim work-based learning permit expires after 12 months and may be renewed only once for a period of 12 months.

The holder of an interim work-based learning permit may fit and dispense hearing instruments only in a work-based learning pathway approved by the Board. The Board must approve two types of work-based learning pathways: ones established in partnership with private businesses and ones established in partnership with accredited institutions of higher education and sponsoring private businesses through work-based learning agreements.

A work-based learning pathway established in partnership with a private business must consist of at least 520 hours of training in:

audiometric testing;
counseling regarding hearing examinations;
hearing instrument selection;
ear-mold impressions;
hearing instrument fitting and follow-up care; and
business practices.

A work-based learning pathway established in partnership with an accredited institution of higher education and a sponsoring private business through a work-based learning agreement must be consistent with a work-based learning pathway established in partnership with a private business.

A participant in a work-based learning pathway must be directly supervised by a Board-approved licensed hearing aid specialist or a licensed audiologist, until he or she completes the requirements of the pathway, after which he or she may be indirectly supervised. A supervising hearing aid specialist or audiologist must:

be licensed in good standing for at least two years;
practice in an established place of business; and
be responsible for all activities and training of the apprentice hearing aid specialist.

A hearing aid specialist or audiologist may supervise no more than three apprentice hearing aid specialists at a time. An apprentice hearing aid specialist must notify the Department of Health and the Board if his or her relationship with his or her supervisor is terminated or if he or she designates a new supervisor.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) There is a shortage of hearing instrument fitter/dispensers in Washington, which makes it difficult to serve customers, especially given Washington's increasing population. The shortage also makes it difficult for Washington businesses to compete with businesses in other states. The state urgently needs more hearing instrument fitter/dispensers. This bill will help the state produce more qualified hearing instrument fitter/dispensers, which will help both consumers and businesses. In 1996 a study was completed to determine appropriate training requirements for this profession; this bill is reflective of one of the approaches in the study. The practice-based training in this bill is consistent with most other states. Most adults learn by doing and examinations in this area are moving in this direction. Washington is one of the only states that does not have an apprenticeship approach to licensing, which puts the state behind the rest of the country. Washington's pathway is so restrictive that it excludes people with four-year degrees. This bill does not expand the scope of practice for hearing instrument fitter/dispensers, does not eliminate the existing paths to licensure, and does not change how the school-based training programs operate.

(With concerns) This bill is a major change and warrants further discussion; the bill should go through a stakeholder process. There is no regulatory oversight over the practical experience element of this bill; there is no regulatory authority, no accrediting body, and no link between the supervisors and the state to make sure the applicants are getting the training they need. The perception that there is a shortage of hearing instrument fitter/dispensers should be examined more closely; there are currently two schools offering degrees in hearing instrument fitting/dispensing, an audiology program at the University of Washington, and a new audiology program in the Portland area. An apprenticeship model is costly for the state, costly to supervisors and business owners, and difficult to regulate with respect to the quality of education. This bill will have a negative impact on patient care; it is a step backwards. Selling hearing aids is complicated, and reducing training standards is not the way to address this issue. The limited training environment will make the credential less portable. This bill allows an applicant to have any college degree; a liberal arts degree is not the same as a degree from a dedicated program. Under this bill, not all apprentices will have the full spectrum of training, yet they can work anywhere. The bill requires distance learning from an entity that is not regulated by the state; if the entity ceased to exist, the applicant could not obtain a credential. The effective date should be extended to July 1, 2015. The language in the bill about mail orders may be preempted by federal law.

(Opposed) None.