Section R9-13-107. Screener Qualifications

A.      An audiologist may perform a hearing screening.

B.       An individual who is not an audiologist may perform a hearing screening only if  the individual passes a hearing screener course that:

1.        Includes 90 minutes of classroom instruction in the introduction to hearing covering:

a.         Development of speech and language;

b.        Anatomy and physiology of the ear;

c.         Signs and prevention of hearing loss in children; and

d.        A.R.S.  Title  36,  Chapter  7.2  and  9   A.A.C.  13, Article 1;

2.        Includes 120 minutes of classroom instruction in hearing screening covering:

a.         Auditory development,

b.        Early identification of hearing loss,

c.         Principles of hearing screening,

d.        Selection of hearing screening methods, and

e.         Components  of  setting-up  a  hearing  screening program;

3.        Includes 75 minutes of classroom instruction in referral and reporting covering:

a.         Results of a hearing screening,

b.        Responses to a hearing screening outcome,

c.         Procedures for recording and tracking,

d.        Communication with parents,

e.         Role of community resources, and

f.         Reporting hearing screening results;

4.        For an individual who will perform a hearing screening using three-frequency or four-frequency, pure tone hearing screening, includes 120 minutes of classroom instruction covering:

a.         Selecting and setting-up a hearing screening site,

b.        Performing a pure tone hearing screening, and

c.         Identifying    children    who     need    referral    and evaluation;

5.        For an individual who will perform a hearing screening using tympanometry with three-frequency, pure tone hearing screening, includes 60 minutes of classroom instruction covering:

a.         The anatomy and functions of the middle ear,

b.        What tympanometry measures and identifies,

c.         Using a tympanometer,

d.        Performing a tympanometry hearing screening, and

e.         Identifying    children    who     need    referral    and evaluation;

6.        For an individual who will perform a hearing screening using otoacoustic emissions hearing screening, includes 60 minutes of classroom instruction covering:

a.         What otoacoustic emissions identify and measure,

b.        Using otoacoustic emissions equipment,

c.         Performing   an    otoacoustic   emissions    hearing screening, and

d.        Identifying    children    who    need    referral    and evaluation;

7.        Requires an individual to pass the course by scoring 80% or more on an examination that tests what the individual has learned;

8.        Is taught by an individual who:

a.         Is an audiologist, or

b.        Meets the screener qualifications in subsection (B) or (C) and has performed at least 50 hearing screenings within 24 months before teaching a hearing screener course; and

9.        Provides an individual who passes the course with a certificate of completion that includes:

a.         The individual’s name;

b.        Whether the following were completed:

i.         Introduction to hearing,

ii.        Hearing screening,

iii.      Referral and reporting,

iv.       Pure tone hearing screening,

v.        Tympanometry hearing screening, and

vi.       Otoacoustic emissions hearing screening;

c.         An attestation that the course meets the requirements in subsection (B) or (C); and

d.        The name and signature of the individual who taught the course.

C.      Every five years after completing a hearing screener course described in subsection (B), a screener who is not an audiologist shall pass a hearing screener course that:

1.        Includes 195 minutes of classroom instruction covering the material required under subsections (B)(1), (B)(2), and (B)(3);

2.        For an individual who will perform a hearing screening using   three-frequency   or    four-frequency,   pure   tone

hearing screening, includes 60 minutes of classroom instruction covering the material required under subsection (B)(4);

3.        For an individual who will perform a hearing screening using tympanometry with three-frequency, pure tone hearing screening, includes 30 minutes of classroom instruction covering the material required under subsection (B)(5);

4.        For an individual who will perform a hearing screening using otoacoustic emissions hearing screening, includes 30 minutes of classroom instruction covering the material required under subsection (B)(6); and

5.        Meets the requirements in subsections (B)(7), (B)(8), and (B)(9).

D.      Before performing a hearing screening, an individual who passes a hearing screener course described in subsection (B) or

(C) shall give a copy of the certificate of completion described in subsection (B)(9) to the school.

E.       An individual who does not meet the screener qualifications in subsection (A), (B), or (C) may perform a four-frequency, pure tone hearing screening, other than a second hearing screening required under R9-25-104(B), only under the supervision of an individual who meets the screener qualifications in subsection (A), (B), or (C).

Historical Note

Former Section R9-13-113 renumbered and amended as Section R9-13-107 effective February 18, 1986 (Supp. 86-1). Amended effective October 15, 1993 (Supp. 93-4).

Amended by final rulemaking at 8 A.A.R. 3307, effective July 16, 2002 (Supp. 02-3).