MARYLAND
Conversations are happening across the country to ensure safe, quality hearing assistance is available to those who need it. Check out the below to see what’s happening in Maryland.
Did You Know?
Over 11% of Maryland’s population suffers from some form of hearing loss.
LATEST CONSUMER PROTECTION ACTION
January 14, 2022.
NAAG Responds to FDA’s Comment Request on New Over-The-Counter Hearing Aid Rules.
“In response to a request for comments from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding new rules regulating over-the-counter hearing aids, NAAG submitted comments encouraging the FDA to take the below steps to ensure that states maintain a role as regulators in this emerging market.”
LATEST 2022 LEGISLATIVE NEWS
SB 103.
Sponsor: Senator Malcolm Augustine (D)
This measure applies to licensed audiologists and music therapists.
This measure requires the State Board of Examiners for Audiologists to create an audiologist assistant's license and establish qualifications and scope of practice regulations. This measure allows licensed audiologists to delegate tasks to an assistant within the established scope of practice and supervision requirements.
This measure also expands the definition of unprofessional conduct for music to include falsely representing the use or availability of service or advice of a physician, inaccurately using the term "doctor" on any license or certification, and practicing music therapy with an unauthorized person or supervising or aiding an unauthorized person in practicing music therapy.
This measure goes into effect on July 1, 2022.
HB 155.
Sponsor: Delegate Sheree Sample Hughes (D)
This measure alters certain requirements for the licensing and regulation of audiologists, hearing aid dispensers, speech-language pathologists, and music therapists, including clarifying quorum requirements for the State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists, license reciprocity, professional disciplinary grounds, and delegation authority for audiologists.
If enacted, this measure will take effect July 1, 2022.