Section 218-RICR-50-00-1.18 - SERVICES FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARINGA. ORS will maintain state-wide specialized caseloads to meet the complex rehabilitation needs of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals. Vocational considerations need to include not only communication but also cultural, educational and social dynamics. ORS will arrange and pay for qualified interpreters except when a service provider is mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, by ADA, or by state law to make interpreters available for provision of vocational rehabilitation services. Care will be taken to ensure specialized interpreter skills (medical, legal, CDI) are utilized in vocationally relevant situations.B. Assessing the 'Vocational Implications of Hearing Loss' is completed after the individual with a disability is determined eligible in accordance with § 1.7 of this Part above. 1. In determining if a hearing loss constitutes a substantial impediment to employment, the VR Counselor must examine the individual's functioning, as well as the audiological evidence, speech reception and speech discrimination.a. Specific diagnostics for deafness and hearing loss will include an Otological exam and an audiological examination. These exams have to be completed by an Otolaryngologist and a Licensed Audiologist, not a hearing aid center. If these exams have been done within a year, then VR Counselors should request copies of these examinations for review and determination of eligibility.b. An applicant should be made eligible for services if difficulty understanding spoken language represents a substantial impediment to employment. This should be documented in a narrative entry for eligibility and also on the Order of Selection Checklist.C. Hearing Aid Considerations 1. If a hearing aid is recommended and vocationally relevant, the VR Counselor will arrange for the individual to be seen by an Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) and Licensed Audiologist (not a hearing aid center), if this has not been done within six (6) months of a hearing aid being considered.2. The purpose of the Otological examination by the ENT is to determine if there are any medical conditions which may interfere with the individuals hearing, if further testing is recommended, or if there are physical barriers to obtaining a hearing aid. If additional testing is recommended, the file needs to be reviewed by the medical consultant who will then recommend and approve a vendor for the test (i.e., CT scan).3. The purpose of the Audiological examination is to identify the severity of the hearing loss and the need for hearing aids. The exam will verify whether new aids are necessary. The Audiological Evaluation form must be completed and signed by the Audiologist.D. Hearing Aid Services Provision1. The VR Counselor must assess that all hearing aid services provided meet the employment goal of the IPE and the vocational rehabilitation needs of the individual. It is expected that the IPE will indicate that the regular care, maintenance and replacement of the hearing aid are the responsibility of the client.2. Hearing aid services and devices are subject to a determination of financial participation and consideration of any comparable benefit available to an individual to meet, in whole or in part, the cost of such services.218 R.I. Code R. 218-RICR-50-00-1.18
Amended effective 6/4/2023