Section 246-828-615. Standards for hearing aid specialist programs.

The curriculum of the program must include the components listed in this section.

(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 ensure a graduate or certificate holder is competent and can function on his or her own, the curriculum should be designed to ensure proficiency in all curriculum components through extensive practical work experience in addition to academic instruction. All necessary instruments and laboratories based on industry standards are a prerequisite.

(2) Minimum requirements for two-year degree programs:

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

(i) The supervised practicum must consist of a minimum of five hundred twenty hours.

(ii) Two hundred sixty of the five hundred twenty hours must be directly supervised. The remaining hours may be directly or indirectly supervised.

(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) Acoustics: The physics of sound and basic acoustics.

(f) Hearing instrument sciences: Basic electronics, circuit designs of hearing instruments, testing methodology of instruments, test standards, familiarity with all major types of 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 instruction on effective communication strategies for individuals with hearing impairments.

(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 impression-taking techniques, practical skills, safety, selection, and modification. Direct supervision is required for all earmold impressions.

(l) Instrument selection: Recommending the best technology according to the patient's or client's needs from basic through advanced analog and digital instruments, including referrals for medically implantable devices.

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

(n) Introduction to speech-language pathology and audiology.

(o) Overview of medically implantable devices, including criteria for referral.

(3) Minimum requirements for nine-month certificate programs:

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

(i) The supervised practicum must consist of a minimum of five hundred twenty hours.

(ii) Two hundred sixty of the five hundred twenty hours must be directly supervised. The remaining hours may be directly or indirectly supervised.

(iii) Methods of instruction on effective communication strategies for individuals with hearing impairments.

(b) Occupational communications: Documentation of professional activities.

(c) Occupational human relations: Code of professional ethics.

(d) Acoustics: The physics of sound and basic acoustics.

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

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

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

(h) 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 instruction on effective communication strategies for individuals with hearing impairments.

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

(j) Earmolds: Emphasis on impression-taking techniques, practical skills, safety, selection, and modification. Direct supervision is required for all earmold impressions.

(k) Instrument selection: Recommending the best technology according to the patient's or client's needs from basic through advanced analog and digital instruments, including referrals for medically implantable devices.

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

(m) Introduction to speech-language pathology and audiology.

(n) Overview of medically implantable devices, including criteria for referral.

[Statutory Authority: 2014 c 189, RCW 18.35.161, 18.130.062, and 18.130.020. WSR 15-14-092, § 246-828-615, filed 6/29/15, effective 7/1/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.35.040 and 18.35.161. WSR 06-10-025, § 246-828-615, filed 4/26/06, effective 5/27/06.]

2014 c 189, RCW 18.35.161, 18.130.062, and 18.130.020. WSR 15-14-092, § 246-828-615, filed 6/29/15, effective 7/1/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.35.040 and 18.35.161. WSR 06-10-025, § 246-828-615, filed 4/26/06, effective 5/27/06.