| (a) A licensed assistant in audiology (assistant) must
perform assigned duties under the supervision of a licensed audiologist
who has been approved by the department to serve as the assistant's
supervisor (supervisor).
(b) The assistant may execute specific components of
the clinical hearing program if the supervisor:
(1) determines that the assistant has received the
training and has the skill to accomplish that task; and
(2) provides sufficient supervision to ensure appropriate
completion of the task assigned to the assistant.
(c) Duties that a supervisor may assign to an assistant,
who has received appropriate training, include the following:
(1) under direct supervision, conduct or participate
in, hearing screening including screening otoscopy, tympanometry,
otoacoustic emissions procedures and pure tone air conduction procedures,
but may not diagnose hearing loss or disorders of the auditory system,
or make statements of severity or implication;
(2) under direct supervision, assist the audiologist
with play audiometry, visual reinforcement audiometry, and tasks such
as picture-pointing speech audiometry;
(3) under direct supervision, assist the audiologist
in the evaluation of difficult-to-test patients;
(4) assist the audiologist with technical tasks for
diagnostic evaluation such as preparing test rooms, attaching electrodes,
and preparing patients prior to procedures;
(5) maintain clinical records;
(6) prepare clinical materials;
(7) participate with the supervisor in research projects,
staff development, public relations programs, or similar activities
as designated and supervised by the supervisor;
(8) maintain equipment by conducting biologic and electroacoustic
calibration of audiometric equipment, perform preventative maintenance
checks and safety checks of equipment;
(9) explain the proper care of hearing instruments
and assistive listening devices to patients;
(10) maintain hearing instruments including cleaning,
replacing ear mold tubing, minor hearing instrument repairs, determining
need for repair, and performing biologic and electroacoustic checks
of hearing instruments;
(11) provide case history and/or self-assessment forms
and clarify questions on the forms to patients as needed;
(12) conduct basic record keeping and prepare paperwork
for signature by the audiologist;
(13) coordinate ear mold and hearing instrument records
or repairs and other orders;
(14) attach hearing aids to computers and use software
to verify internal electroacoustic settings; and
(15) perform other non-diagnostic duties not prohibited
in subsection (d), for which the assistant has been trained and demonstrates
appropriate skills, as assigned by the supervisor.
(d) The assistant shall not:
(1) conduct aural habilitation or rehabilitation activities
or therapy;
(2) provide carry-over activities (therapeutically
designed transfer of a newly acquired communication ability to other
contexts and situations) for patients in aural rehabilitation therapy;
(3) collect data during aural rehabilitation therapy
documenting progress and results of therapy;
(4) administer assessments during aural rehabilitation
therapy to assess therapeutic progress;
(5) conduct any audiological procedure that requires
decision-making or leads to a diagnosis;
(6) interpret results of procedures and evaluations,
except for screening tests;
(7) make diagnostic statements, or propose or develop
clinical management strategies;
(8) make ear impressions;
(9) cause any substance to enter the ear canal or place
any instrument or object in the ear canal for the purpose of removing
cerumen or debris;
(10) make any changes to the internal settings of a
hearing instrument manually or using computer software;
(11) represent audiology at staffing meetings or on
an admission, review and dismissal (ARD) committee;
(12) attend staffing meetings or ARD committee meetings
without the supervisor being present;
(13) design a treatment program;
(14) determine case selection;
(15) present written or oral reports of client information,
except to the assistant's supervisor;
(16) refer a client to other professionals or other
agencies;
(17) use any title which connotes the competency of
a licensed audiologist; or
(18) practice as an assistant without a valid Supervisory
Responsibility Statement for an Audiology Assistant Form on file with
the department.
(e) In any professional context the assistant must
indicate the assistant's status as a licensed audiology assistant.
(f) A licensed assistant in audiology may not engage
in the fitting, dispensing or sale of a hearing instrument under this
chapter; however, a licensed assistant in audiology who is licensed
under the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 402 may engage in activities
as allowed by that law and is not considered to be functioning under
the person's assistant in audiology license when performing those
activities.
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| Source Note: The provisions of this §111.92 adopted to be effective May 1, 2018, 43 TexReg 2544; amended to be effective August 1, 2020, 45 TexReg 5172; amended to be effective December 30, 2021, 46 TexReg 9021 |
