| Hearing Aid Sales: How to Get Licensed |
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| Scope of Practice |
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Hearing Aid Regulation in Oregon
Anyone who sells, leases or rents hearing aids in conjunction with the evaluation or measurement of human hearing must be licensed as a Hearing Aid Specialist. Hearing aid specialists recommend, select or adapt hearing aids and may alter, adjust or reconstruct hearing aid specifications for functionality, such as taking ear impressions for proper fit.
A hearing aid is defined under Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 694.015(3) as any prosthetic instrument or device designed for or represented as aiding, improving or correcting defective human hearing and any parts, attachments or accessories of such an instrument or device. Hearing aids are not, however, devices for treating or correcting hearing impairment that are surgically implanted, such as cochlear implants.
Fast Facts on Hearing Aids
- Hearing aids may be advertised in direct mail and delivered by mail but any fitting and sale of a hearing aid must be completed in Oregon, according to ORS 694.032.
- A written statement, or purchase agreement, is required under ORS 694.036 as a condition of any hearing aid purchase. Click here for more information.
- Consumers have a right to rescind, or cancel, a purchase agreement under certain conditions, such as within 30 days from the date of purchase. Click here for more information.
- Assistive listening devices, such as telephone listening instruments, are exempt from requirements for hearing aids. Assistive listening devices are designed to assist in only one or a few listening environments and are for temporary use only under Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 331-640-0000.
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| Education & Training |
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Applicants for licensure must obtain the following from a licensed hearing aid specialist as a hearing aid specialist trainee:
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At least 62 hours of training in theory, including general principles of acoustics and hearing/speech acoustics, audiometric testing and hearing aid standards
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And 98 hours of practical, supervised training on testing, earmold impressions, infection control, and hearing aid selection, fitting and follow-up care
Audiologists may dispense hearing aids if they are licensed as a hearing aid specialist. Audiologists are required to obtain at least six years of post-secondary education focusing on speech pathology and audiology.
For more information, visit the Oregon Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Web site.
Physicians known as otolaryngologists (ear-nose-throat specialists), regulated by the Oregon Medical Board, may also dispense hearing aids if they are licensed as hearing aid specialists. They must obtain certification through the American Board of Otolaryngology.
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| Examinations |
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Written Examination—Applicants must score 70 percent or higher on the written examination administered by the Oregon Health Licensing Agency. Licensed audiologists are required to take only the Oregon Laws and Rules section of the written examination.
Practical Examination—The practical, or demonstration, examination consists of three sections: audiometric testing and masking, earmold impression and hearing aid fitting and selection.
Click here for more information on examination requirements (OAR 331-610-0040 and 0050).
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| Application Process |
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In addition to completing an application, paying fees and providing documentation regarding proof of age, identification and secondary education as outlined in the Hearing Aid Licensing Information, applicants must provide the following:
Trainee Registration—Applicants who are not licensed audiologists or physicians must complete a Trainee Registration Agreement and Declaration of Responsibility required by ORS 694.065(2).
Temporary License—Individuals who have obtained the required training may apply for a temporary license, which allows them to practice under the supervision of a licensed specialist until they are able to pass the written and practical examinations. A Certification of Training must be completed before an application for a temporary license may be submitted.
Licensed Audiologists and Physicians—Those wishing to dispense hearing aids must provide documentation of training as outlined in the Hearing Aid Specialist License Check List.
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| Out-of-State Licensure |
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Applicants shall provide documentation, in the form of an Affidavit of Licensure, submitted directly to the Oregon Health Licensing Agency from the originating state’s regulatory office, providing evidence that the applicant currently holds or held a hearing aid specialist license within the past three years.
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