265 CMR, § 6.01 - Minimal Procedures and Equipment

(1) The following minimum procedures shall be used in the fitting and selling of hearing instruments:

(a) pure tone audiometric testing by air and bone conduction pathways through a calibrated system in the appropriate environment to determine the type and degree of hearing deficiency;

(b) effective masking when indicated;

(c) appropriate testing using a calibrated system or other acceptable verification technique in the appropriate environment to determine client's hearing ability, as measured by the percentage words the client is able to repeat correctly, the client's ability to discriminate speech, the client's most comfortable and uncomfortable loudness levels in decibels, and the best fitting arrangement for maximum hearing aid benefit;

(d) otoscopic inspection of the outer ear;

(e) a pertinent case history; and

(f) a final fitting ensuring physical and operational comfort of the hearing aid.

(2) Mandatory Disclosure. Any person with a 15 dB or greater difference between air conduction and bone conduction hearing, at three frequencies of 500hz, 1000hz, and 2000hz in either ear, must be advised of the possibility of medical correction.

(3) At a minimum, the following required equipment shall be used:

(a) a wide-range audiometer which meets the specifications of the American National Standards Institute for diagnostic audiometers;

(b) a speech audiometer or a master hearing aid in order to determine the most comfortable listening level and speech discrimination.

Notes

265 CMR, § 6.01

Amended by Mass Register Issue 1319, eff. 8/12/2016.