Subject of Possible Rule Making: Over-the-counter hearing aids. The board of hearing and speech (board) is considering amending WAC 246-828-100 Hearing instruments fitting and dispensing—Minimum standards of practice, to be consistent with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized rule regarding the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids. The board may also consider clarifying or technical changes as needed.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The board is considering amendments to WAC 246-828-100 to align with recently adopted FDA rule (21 C.F.R. Parts 800, 801, 808, and 874 (2022)). The federal rule established a new category of "over-the-counter" hearing aid, which will impact the sale, fitting, and dispensing of hearing aids by those licensed under chapter 246-828 WAC.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kim-Boi Shadduck, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-236-2912, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email kimboi.shadduck@doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rules. The board will be conducting rules workshops with interested parties and subject matter experts. The board will use existing GovDelivery lists and other known contact information to inform interested parties of opportunities to provide input on proposed rule language. To find out more information about our rule making, visit www.doh.wa.gov. To subscribe to GovDelivery, please visit www.doh.wa.gov, select the "Subscribe" button at the bottom of the page, select "Health Professions," and then select "Board of Hearing and Speech" and any other topics you wish to follow.