(a) Testing.

1. (1) To ensure accurate testing or screening, the maximum allowable ambient noise level shall not exceed fifty-five decibels (55 dB) (A scale) wherever the testing or screening is conducted.

2. (2) The ambient noise level shall be:

   1. (A) Measured on the A scale with a properly calibrated electronic sound level meter; and
   2. (B) Recorded on the audiogram prior to testing or screening.
3. (3) All equipment must be maintained in good working order and be calibrated to national standards.

(b)

1. (1) All patients shall receive a battery of tests sufficient to:

   1. (A) Determine the type and degree of hearing loss; and
   2. (B) Rule out pathologies that require medical referral.

2. (2) All patients shall receive a battery of tests that will include:

   1. (A) Tympanometry;
   2. (B) Pure tone air and bone conduction;
   3. (C) Speech reception threshold and speech discrimination with masking when indicated;
   4. (D) A measurement of most comfortable listening level; and
   5. (E) A measurement of uncomfortable listening level.

(d) Verification.

1. (1) Evaluation of objective hearing aid performance with the hearing instrument or instruments in place must be done.
2. (2) This can be accomplished by way of “sound field” testing or “real ear measurement”, according to equipment manufacturer’s specifications.
3. (3) The results of the verification shall be documented and made available to the Arkansas Board of Hearing Instrument Dispensers upon request.

(e) Validation. All licensees shall record in the patient’s file all:

1. (1) Patient complaints;
2. (2) Questionnaires;
3. (3) Tests administered;
4. (4) Results observed;
5. (5) Adjustments made to the hearing instrument; and
6. (6) Recommendations made to the patient.

(f)

1. (1) All licensees operating an established place of business shall maintain their records pertaining to fitting and dispensing hearing instruments to consumers for a period of five (5) years.
2. (2) All such licensees shall furnish copies of a patient’s records to him or her upon request within a reasonable period not to exceed thirty (30) days.
3. (3) A licensee may assess a reasonable records fee not to exceed one dollar ($1.00) per page for the first five (5) pages and twenty-five cents ($.25) for each additional page.
4. (4) All such licensees who cease the active practice of dispensing hearing instruments shall make adequate provisions for a patient to obtain copies of his or her records upon reasonable request.