Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers

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News and Updates

TDLR Health Monitor – February 2023 Edition

February 24, 2023

Articles in the February 2023 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

  • Legislative Update
  • Annual Health Professions Report Published
  • Texas Massage Therapist Examination Now Available
  • Meet TDLR Staff At Upcoming Conferences

FDA Rules for Over-the-Counter Category of Hearing Instruments Now in Effect

October 25, 2022

Hearing instruments or hearing aids are regulated at the federal level as medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Changes have been made at the federal level to create an over-the-counter category of hearing instruments (hearing aids), and the FDA rules implementing these changes are now in effect.

In August 2017, the U.S. Congress passed the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017, which in part defined “over-the-counter hearing aid,” required the FDA to establish a category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, and specified certain requirements that must be included in the FDA regulations. On October 20, 2021, the FDA published proposed regulations for public comment. These proposed regulations established the OTC category and realigned other regulations for hearing aids.

The FDA published the final regulations in the Federal Register (87 FR 50698) on August 17, 2022, with an effective date of October 17, 2022.

The FDA also has issued a final guidance document to clarify the regulatory requirements for hearing aids and personal sound amplification products. Additional information may be found on the FDA’s website on hearing aids.

TDLR Health Monitor – October 2022 Edition

October 20, 2022

Articles in the October 2022 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

  • Raising Awareness in October For Audiology, Dyslexia and Massage Therapy
  • Proposed Rule Amendments For Orthotists and Prosthetists
  • Podiatry Applications Now Available Online
  • Test Proctors Needed For HFD Exams

TDLR Health Monitor – June 2022 Edition

June 24, 2022

Articles in the June 2022 edition of The Health Monitor includes updates on:

  • Recent Rule Amendments
  • Updated Massage Therapy Consultation Document
  • Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Deficiency Plan
  • Hear Her Texas

Call for Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to Participate in the Development of the Texas Hearing Instrument Fitter and Dispenser Licensing Examination

December 28, 2021

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is looking for SMEs to volunteer to serve on the Hearing Instrument Fitter and Dispenser Examination Review Committee (ERC).

The ERC creates, updates, evaluates, and references exam content.

Participation of knowledgeable SMEs will ensure the validity of the Texas Hearing Instrument Fitter and Dispenser Licensing Exam.

Participants must be willing to sign a confidentiality document agreeing not to disclose examination content, materials, or discussions. Participants must also be willing to travel to Austin for all meetings.

To view the minimum qualifications and to apply, download the Exam Development Committee Application (PDF). The deadline to submit the application is January 31, 2022.

Over-the-Counter Category Coming for Hearing Instruments

October 28, 2021

Hearing instruments or hearing aids are regulated at the federal level as medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Changes are being made at the federal level regarding hearing instruments that will affect two of TDLR’s programs, the Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers program and the Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists program. These two programs regulate the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments by Texas licensees.

In August 2017, the U.S. Congress passed the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017 (FDARA) | FDA, which in part defined “over-the-counter hearing aid,” required the FDA to establish a category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, and specified certain requirements that must be included in the FDA regulations. On October 20, 2021, the FDA published proposed regulations for public comment. These proposed regulations establish the OTC category and realign other regulations for hearing aids. The FDA will eventually publish final regulations, taking public comments into account.

You will find the proposed regulations published in the Federal Register, 86 FR 58150. Electronic or written comments on the proposed regulations must be submitted to the FDA by January 18, 2022. The Federal Register notice includes all the details about submitting public comments.

The FDA has issued a letter clarifying that the over-the-counter category of hearing aids does not exist until the effective date of published final regulations. Licensed Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers and licensed Audiologists may wish to visit the FDA’s website on hearing aids for additional information.

Continuing Education Requirements

October 25, 2021

HB 1560, the Sunset legislation for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, repealed Occupations Code §402.303 and amended Occupations Code §402.207(c) and §402.305 under the Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers statute, and transferred authority regarding the continuing education requirements to TDLR’s enabling statute, Chapter 51 of the Texas Occupations Code.

Please note that Hearing Instrument Fitter and Dispenser license holders and apprentice permit holders are still required to obtain continuing education (CE) credits as specified in the program rules.

Call for Subject Matter Experts

February 26, 2020

TDLR is seeking subject matter experts (SMEs) to assist our Enforcement Division with complaint case reviews. SMEs review complaint cases, generally involving standard of care issues, during the investigation stage of the enforcement process.

We currently have a shortage of Behavior Analyst, Podiatrist, and Speech-Language Pathologist SMEs.

If you are interested in becoming a SME, please complete the Expert Witness Application. Once the application is submitted, you will receive a questionnaire to complete and return. Documents are screened and contracts are issued to approved SMEs.

All SMEs receive training on their role in reviewing complaint cases. Tasks may include the following:

  • Reviewing documents and statements collected by investigators.
  • Writing a report stating an opinion as to whether the respondent violated a rule or law in the provision of care to a client.
  • Answering specific questions from the prosecutor about the case.
  • Testifying as a witness for TDLR at hearings.

Our mission is to protect the citizens of Texas and the hard-working members of your profession. We cannot do that without your specialized knowledge of the complexities of your profession. Please consider becoming a SME today.

Notice to prospective licensees, current licensees renewing their licenses, and stakeholders

DECEMBER 4, 2020

Applicants can apply for new licenses and renew licenses online. TDLR strongly encourages you to take advantage of the opportunity to apply or renew online. The process is secure and easy to use – and faster than submitting paper-based applications and supporting documents, especially as TDLR deals with significant staffing issues related to COVID-19.

  • Applications submitted online can take 30 days to process once TDLR receives all required documents.
  • Applications submitted by mail may face significant delays, which may take up to 90 days once TDLR receives all required documents.

Access the online licensing system here. If you need to submit a document outside of the online application, please scan the document and send it to TDLR using our online customer service form.

If you need to submit a transcript, please ask your university to send electronic transcripts to TDLR at cs.transcript@tdlr.texas.gov instead of mailing in an original or certified copy of an original transcript. If your need to submit other documents, such as receipt of fingerprint submission, please scan the document and send it electronically to TDLR using our Customer Service form.

Thank you for helping us process your application or renewal more quickly.

86th Legislative Session Update

May 27, 2020

Notice to Health Care Practitioners of New Training Requirement

House Bill 2059 requires certain health care practitioners to complete a Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) approved human trafficking prevention training course to renew their license. The bill also requires HHSC to post a list of approved courses on their website. Licensees are required to comply with the training requirements beginning September 1, 2020. For more information, visit our Human Trafficking Prevention Training for Health Care Practitioners webpage.

Governor Approves Regulatory Suspensions to Facilitate Services to Hearing Instrument Fitter and Dispenser Clients During the COVID-19 Pandemic

April 9, 2020

To help combat the spread of Coronavirus, TDLR requested and received authority from Governor Greg Abbott to suspend certain regulatory requirements, to the extent necessary, to allow licensees of the Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers program to provide more services to clients through telehealth and to ease other licensing restrictions.

These suspensions are in effect until terminated by the Office of the Governor or until the March 13, 2020 disaster declaration is lifted or expires. In accordance with Section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code, the Office of the Governor has granted TDLR’s request to suspend the following provisions:

Supervision:

  • A supervisor of a temporary training permit holder is no longer required to be working in an established place of business (suspension of Texas Occupations Code §402.255(a)(2)).

Practice:

  • For those licensees approved to provide telehealth services:
    • A smart phone, or any audio-visual, real-time, or two-way interactive communication system, qualifies as telecommunications technology and may now be used to provide telehealth services, as well as telehealth services related to fitting and dispensing hearing instruments (suspension of 16 TAC §§112.150(b)(8)-(11), (d), (f), and (k)).
    • Hearing instrument fitters and dispensers are no longer required to conduct an initial professional contact in person at the same physical location as the client (suspension of 16 TAC §112.150(l)).
    • Services provided through telehealth must be performed at the same standard of care as in-person health care and within the licensee’s scope of practice and competence, and the equipment used must be appropriate for the situation and properly working as required under 16 TAC112.150(j) and (k).

Facilitators:

  • If a facilitator assists with the provision of telehealth services, no prior training is necessary if the provider determines that the facilitator has the competence needed to assist with the services given (suspension of 16 TAC §150(g) and (h)(1).

Licensees who need additional information on billing policies relating to the provision of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic should contact Texas Health and Human Services Medicaid or managed care organizations (MCOs), as policies are changing rapidly. It is critical to check with your payor before initiating a new type of service or service delivery model, such as telehealth.

Before providing telehealth services, licensees should verify the applicability of other requirements and obligations, such as HIPAA and other medical and personal privacy requirements.

COVID-19: Continuing Education Waived

March 24, 2020

TDLR continuing education requirements are waived for all individual licenses expiring in March, April, and May 2020. Licensees still need to submit their renewal applications, pay the required fees, and TDLR will check their criminal histories, but they will not need to complete any TDLR-required continuing education this licensing cycle. (§51.405, Occupations Code)

Note: TDLR is not authorized to waive continuing education requirements imposed by a certifying or credentialing entity other than TDLR. If a certifying entity requires continuing education to maintain certification, and certification is required for Texas licensure, then that continuing education must be completed. If the certifying entity waives continuing education or allows it to be completed on a delayed basis due to COVID-19, then you may follow the certifying entity’s policy.

Please check the TDLR COVID-19 webpage for the most up-to-date information.

Guidance Statement on TDI Rules Related to Senate Bill 1264

December 18, 2019

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has adopted emergency rules interpreting Senate Bill (SB) 1264’s prohibitions related to “surprise billing” (or “balance billing”). This Guidance Statement is intended to provide clear information concerning SB 1264 to Texas patients, clients, and health care providers under the regulatory authority of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

SB 1264 prohibits surprise billing, with certain exceptions. Health care providers under TDLR’s regulatory authority who seek to exercise the exceptions to SB 1264’s prohibitions against balance billing must comply with all provisions of SB 1264, including as interpreted by TDI rules. See the TDI SB 1264 webpage for additional information. SB 1264 applies to a health care or medical service or supply provided on or after January 1, 2020.

TDLR will be responsible for investigating complaints and taking disciplinary action against TDLR licensees for violations of SB 1264, including as interpreted by TDI rules. Any person who believes that a TDLR-licensed health care provider has committed a balance billing-related violation may file a complaint online with TDLR. Additionally, TDLR and TDI will work together to ensure that any complaints filed with TDI regarding TDLR licensees will be referred to TDLR and investigated.

TDLR will be working on the development of enforcement rules consistent with SB 1264 and TDI’s rules interpreting the statute. As rulemaking moves ahead, we look forward to a transparent process and engaging the public and stakeholders on this important issue.

Advisory Board Meetings

Previous Meeting - November 9, 2021

The Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers Advisory Board met November 9, 2021 via videoconference. The agenda and staff reports are available online. The meeting was archived and is available on TDLR's YouTube channel.