In accordance with the Act, a licensed audiologist or licensed
intern in audiology who fits and dispenses hearing instruments, shall
comply with this section when testing hearing for the purpose of determining
the need for amplification and the verification of the appropriate
fit of hearing instrument(s).
(1) Licensees must adhere to the most current American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) octave band criteria for permissible
ambient noise levels during audiometric testing.
(2) This requirement is best met when a stationary
acoustical enclosure is utilized.
(3) A stationary acoustical enclosure is any fixed
enclosed space in which an individual is located for the purpose of
testing hearing to threshold. A stationary acoustical enclosure may
also be known as an audiometric or hearing test booth, room, suite,
area, or space.
(4) Procedures referenced in Texas Occupations Code §401.401,
should be followed when testing outside of a stationary acoustical
enclosure.
(A) Hearing testing that occurs in an area that does
not meet the standard of a stationary acoustical enclosure for the
purpose of determining the need for amplification is not considered
a diagnostic or threshold measurement.
(B) In the event amplification is fit and verification
measures cannot be completed in a stationary acoustical enclosure,
instrumentation that is minimally affected by ambient noise including
but not limited to, real ear measures, shall be utilized to assure
the appropriate fit of the amplification.
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