S.C. Code Regs. § § 115-4
Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 11, November 22, 2024
Section 115-4 - Audiology License - Hearing Aid Dispensing(A) An audiologist may determine through a comprehensive hearing assessment, inquiry, actual observation, or review of any other available information that a prospective hearing aid user has a condition of the ear or auditory system that would benefit from medical evaluation or intervention. An audiologist who fits and/or sells hearing aids must advise a prospective hearing aid user, or parent or guardian, if the prospective user is not 18 years old or older, that the best health interest would be served if there was a medical evaluation by a licensed physician (preferably a physician who specializes in diseases of the ear) before purchasing a hearing aid. The prospective user may waive the medical evaluation by signing a statement which indicates that the prospective user has been informed of the best health interest and does not wish to have a medical evaluation before purchasing a hearing aid.(B) An audiologist must have a record of a comprehensive hearing assessment performed within the previous six months before fitting or selling a hearing aid to any person. This restriction does not apply to replacing a lost or damaged hearing aid that has a replacement warranty or insurance.(C) If no waiver of medical evaluation has been signed by the prospective user, or if the prospective user is not 18 years old or older, by his or her parent or guardian, a written statement must be presented to the audiologist, signed by a licensed physician, stating that the patient's hearing loss has been medically evaluated within the previous six months and that the patient may be considered a candidate for a hearing aid.(D) An audiologist who fits and sells hearing aids must provide in writing to each purchaser at the time of purchase a purchase agreement which clearly states all warranty terms and warranty periods, return privileges, refund information, payment schedule, hearing aid mode, and manufacturer, serial number, date of sale, the audiologist's license number, signatures of purchaser and seller. In the case of a reconditioned hearing aid, a statement that the hearing aid being purchased is reconditioned. If the hearing aid is being fit through a state or federal program and the prospective user is not making a purchase then no purchase agreement is required.(E) All audiometers used by an audiologist must be calibrated at least annually. Records of such calibration must be maintained by the audiologist for a period of four years, and must be made available to the Director or the designee upon request.Amended by State Register Volume 38, Issue No. 6, eff 6/27/2014; State Register Volume 48, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/24/2024.