HOUSE BILL 70

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Carl Trujillo and Jimmie C. Hall and Paul A. Pacheco

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH; AMENDING SECTIONS OF THE SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY, AUDIOLOGY AND HEARING AID DISPENSING PRACTICES ACT TO PROVIDE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HEARING AID OPTIONS THAT CAN PROVIDE A DIRECT CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HEARING AID AND ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. Section 61-14B-5 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1996, Chapter 57, Section 5, as amended) is amended to read:

     "61-14B-5. SCOPE OF PRACTICE--AUDIOLOGISTS.--The scope of practice for audiologists shall include:

          A. the rendering or offering to render professional services, including nonmedical diagnosis, prevention, identification, evaluation, consultation, counseling, habilitation, rehabilitation and instruction on and prognostication of individuals having or suspected of having disorders of hearing, balance or central auditory processing and including, at the time of the initial examination for possible sale and fitting of a hearing aid if a hearing loss is determined, informing each prospective purchaser about hearing aid options that can provide a direct connection between the hearing aid and assistive listening systems that are compliant with the standards for accessible design adopted by the United States department of justice in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C.;

          B. identification and evaluation of auditory function through the performance and interpretation of appropriate behavioral or electrophysiological tests for this purpose;

          C. making ear impressions for use with auditory trainers or for non-amplified devices such as swim molds or ear protectors;

          D. cerumen management;

          E. evaluation and management of tinnitus;

          F. the scope of practice for hearing aid dispensers;

          G. consultation regarding noise control or environmental noise evaluation;

          H. hearing conservation;

          I. calibration of equipment used in hearing testing and environmental evaluation;

          J. fitting and management of auditory trainers, including their general service, adjustment and analysis of function, as well as instruction, orientation and counseling in the use and care of these instruments;

          K. speech or language screening for the purposes of audiological evaluation or initial identification for referral of individuals with disorders of communication other than hearing;

          L. supervision of students, clinical fellows and paraprofessionals; and

          M. sponsorship of hearing aid dispenser trainees."

     SECTION 2. Section 61-14B-6 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1996, Chapter 57, Section 6) is amended to read:

     "61-14B-6. SCOPE OF PRACTICE--HEARING AID DISPENSER.--The scope of practice of the hearing aid dispenser shall include:

          A. the measurement and evaluation of the sensitivity of human hearing by means of appropriate behavioral testing equipment for the purpose of amplification;

          B. the otoscopic observation of the outer ear in connection with the evaluation of hearing and the fitting of hearing aids and for the purpose of referral to other professionals;

          C. the fabrication of ear impressions or ear molds for the purpose of selecting and fitting hearing aids;

          D. the analysis of hearing aid function by means of the appropriate testing equipment;

          E. the selection and fitting of hearing aids with appropriate instruction, orientation, counseling and management regarding the use and maintenance of these devices and, at the time of the initial examination for possible sale and fitting of a hearing aid if a hearing loss is determined, informing each prospective purchaser about hearing aid options that can provide a direct connection between the hearing aid and assistive listening systems that are compliant with the standards for accessible design adopted by the United States department of justice in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C.; and

          F. the modification and general servicing of hearing aids."

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