La. Admin. Code tit. 67 § VII-307

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section VII-307 - Hearing Aid Program

A. Role and Function. The commission serves as the statewide distributor of amplification devices.

B. The eligibility requirements for the hearing aid program are as follows:

1. Louisiana resident with proof of residency;

2. Social Security number;

3. age 50 or older;

4. documentation of hearing-related diagnosis. Hearing loss Pure Tone Average of 40 dB or greater in either ear, which is documented by an evaluation and audiogram performed by a commission approved audiologist and/or hearing aid instruments specialist selected by the consumer from a pre-approved commission vendor list;

5. meet an economic need factor of 250 percent of federal poverty guidelines;

6. individuals may not be eligible for any other state or federal program providing assistance with hearing aid purchases;

7. consumers may be eligible for replacement of aids every five years, with possible exceptions made by LCD office for extenuating circumstances; and

8. younger individuals who meet all other eligibility requirements may be considered on an individual basis according to funding availability.

C. Provider Requirements. To be eligible to dispense hearing aids for the LCD Hearing Aid Program, vendors must be one of the following:

1. licensed by the Louisiana Board of Hearing Aid Dealers;

2. licensed by the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; or

3. a physician licensed under the Louisiana State Medical Practices Act and be listed on LCD's approved hearing aid vendor list.

D. The required services for the hearing aid program are as follows:

1. official hearing assessment and determination;

2. recommendation and fitting of hearing aid(s), if applicable; and

3. follow-up appointment according to program policies.

E. Consultation. The commission shall consult with the following entities for advisement with and assessment of this program:

1. the board of commissioners;

2. registered hearing aid vendors/audiologists; and

3. the Louisiana Board of Hearing Aid Dealers.

La. Admin. Code tit. 67, § VII-307

Promulgated by the Department of Social Services, Office of Rehabilitation Services, Commission for the Deaf, LR 13:94 (February 1987), amended LR 17:388 (April 1991), LR 21:589 (June 1995), LR 24:495 (March 1998), Amended by the Department of Health, Office of Public Health, LR 491397 (8/1/2023).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated pursuant to the authority in La. R.S. 46:2353 and R.S. 47:1061.