64B6-8.003. Trainee Stages, Minimum Training Requirements, and Training Programs

(1) A training program shall be a minimum of six months in length and shall be divided into four stages. Following the completion of Stage 1, the trainee shall be in training for the dispensing of prescription hearing aids for a minimum of twenty (20) hours each week, and shall be under the direct supervision of the sponsor at all times when performing the functions of a hearing aid specialist. The training program shall be divided into four (4) stages:

(a) Stage I: During this Stage, the trainee shall complete the International Hearing Society Home Study Course and shall submit proof of passing the home study course final examination. If the trainee passes the home study course final examination but fails the licensure examination, he or she will not have to repeat the home study course prior to the next available licensure examination.

(b) Stage II – 1 month: During this Stage, the trainee may perform audiometric tests, and make ear mold impressions and modifications, but the sponsor or hearing aid specialist designated by the sponsor shall be physically present, in the same room at all times when the trainee is performing these functions. The trainee may not recommend the selection of a prescription hearing aid, dispense a prescription hearing aid, or counsel a client.

(c) Stage III – 2 months: During this Stage the trainee may perform all tasks in Stage II, recommend the selection of a prescription hearing aid, and counsel a client, but the trainee shall be under the direct supervision of the sponsor or hearing aid specialist designated by the sponsor. The trainee may not deliver a prescription hearing aid.

(d) Stage IV – 3 months: During this Stage the trainee may perform all the tasks in Stages II and III and deliver prescription hearing aids, but the sponsor or hearing aid specialist designated by the sponsor shall be physically present in the same room at the time a prescription hearing aid is delivered to the client, and the receipt required by Section 484.051, F.S., must have the signature and license number of the sponsor or hearing aid specialist designated by the sponsor.

(2) It shall be the responsibility of the sponsor to provide instruction and guidance, in order to adequately prepare trainees for practice as a hearing aid specialist. Training received by a trainee during the training program must consist of training in the following subject areas:

(a) Part II, Chapter 484, F.S., and Division 64B6, F.A.C.

(b) Physics of Sound.

(c) Anatomy of the Outer, Middle and Inner Ear.

(d) Hearing Disorders:

1. Conductive Hearing Loss: Diseases of the Ear.

2. Sensori-Neural Hearing Loss.

3. Mixed Hearing Loss.

4. Central Deafness Hearing Loss.

5. Psychological Hearing Loss.

(e) Criteria for Medical Referral.

(f) Pure Tone Audiometry.

(g) Masking and its Application when utilized with Pure Tone Audiometry: Rationals; Methods; Techniques.

(h) Speech Audiometry.

(i) Masking and its Application when utilized with Speech Audiometry.

(j) Sound Field Testing.

(k) Audiogram Analysis and Interpretation.

(l) Proper Ear/Ears Selection; Hearing Instrument Selection: (Evaluating Fitting Criteria).

(m) Cros/Bi-Cros: Rationale and its Application.

(n) Prescription Hearing Aid Measurements.

(o) Interpretation of Hearing Instruments Specification Data.

(p) Impression Technique.

(q) Earmolds; Shell Design; and their Effect on Frequency Response.

(r) Types of Hearing Instruments; Major Components; Function.

(s) Clients Counseling and Delivery as it pertains to Prescription Hearing Aid usage and care for optimum performance.

(3) The sponsor shall file a complete Training Program Sponsor Report with the Board; this report shall be filed no later than 30 days after the completion of the program or termination of the sponsorship, whichever occurs first. The report shall set forth the number of hours of training in each subject which has been provided. The report must also set forth the educational and training objectives and hours set by the sponsor for the trainees. Hearing Aid Specialist Application for Examination, Form DH-MQA 1155 (revised 04/2024), hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, and can be obtained from http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-16865 or the Board of Hearing Aid Specialists’ website at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/HearingAid/. Failure to comply with the requirements of this rule may subject the sounsor to discipline.

(4) The training program shall begin at the date of Department certification, unless the Board certifies another date.

(5) Upon completion of the training program, the trainee shall take the licensure examination within 30 days from receiving the notice of eligibility from the examination vendor. A trainee may continue to function as a trainee until she or he has received the results of the licensure examination, provided that failure of the sponsor to file the complete report required herein will preclude the trainee from engaging in acts which constitute prescription hearing aid dispensing until such time as the complete report is filed. Until the complete report is filed, the trainee is not eligible to complete the first available licensure examination. Upon receipt of the examination results a trainee that passes the examination may continue in Stage IV under the direct supervision of his or her sponsor until they have applied and received their license or up to ninety (90) days whichever comes first, pursuant to subsection 64B6-3.001(2), F.A.C. Payment of the fee and all other licensing requirements required by this rule shall be met within ninety (90) days of notification of licensure eligibility, or the eligibility certification becomes null and void and the person must reapply for licensure.

(6) A trainee who fails the licensure examination must immediately stop functioning as a trainee upon receipt of the examination results. However, a trainee may continue one time in Stage IV of the training program by submitting to the Board within 10 days of receiving the examination results a Training Program Continuation Request (Form DH-MQA 1160, Revised 04/2024) and hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, and can be obtained from http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-16863 or the Board of Hearing Aid Specialists’ website at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/HearingAid/) and taking the next available examination. A trainee who fails the licensure examination and does not submit a Training Program Continuation Request to the Board within 10 days of receiving the examination results may repeat the training program one time by meeting the criteria in Rule 64B6-8.002, F.A.C., and taking the next available examination.

(7) Failure to sit for or receive a passing score on the next scheduled licensure examination for which he or she qualifies will result in termination of trainee status and the ability to further perform services as a trainee within seven days of the posting of the examination results, but does not preclude submitting another application for examination as provided in Rules 64B6-2.003 and 64B6-2.005, F.A.C.

Rulemaking Authority 484.044, 484.0445(1) FS. Law Implemented 484.0445, 484.045 FS. History–New 2-12-84, Formerly 21JJ-8.03, Amended 8-12-87, 10-1-90, 1-28-91, 4-23-91, 8-19-91, Amended 3-18-93, Formerly 21JJ-8.003, Amended 4-21-94, Formerly 61G9-8.003, Amended 7-11-02, 2-19-03, 8-31-06, 6-11-09, 7-5-10, 1-4-18, 2-1-21, 5-3-23, 10-15-23, 8-28-24.