1. (a) Sessions assigned to Category 1, as described in this Rule, shall satisfy the continuing education requirement for license renewal. Any session not assigned to Category 1 shall not be approved to satisfy the continuing education requirement for license renewal.

2. (b) Category 1 is for amplification, hearing rehabilitation, hearing loss, regulations, and consumer-related issues, and shall be assigned to continuing education sessions that are comprised of the following topics:

   1. (1) hearing aid technology: instrument circuitry and acoustic performance data;
   2. (2) earmold or shell coupling systems: design, selection, modifications, and ear impressions;
   3. (3) hearing aid selection procedures, verification, fitting and adjustment techniques, and servicing or repairs;
   4. (4) aural rehabilitation using amplification: auditory training, hearing aid orientation and counseling techniques, and hearing aid validation techniques;
   5. (5) biological, physical, and behavioral bases underlying normal and pathological hearing processes;
   6. (6) detection, assessment, or monitoring of hearing impairment (such as measurement techniques and test interpretation), including intraoperative monitoring;
   7. (7) cochlear implants or implantable hearing devices;
   8. (8) central auditory processing;
   9. (9) assistive listening devices, including FM Systems and ancillary wireless devices;
   10. (10) techniques for development of speech and language in children with hearing loss, or augmentative and alternative communication strategies for children or adults with hearing loss;
   11. (11) cerumen management, dizziness, or tinnitus as it pertains to persons with hearing loss;
   12. (12) hearing impaired consumers' views of the hearing health care industry and consumer complaints;
   13. (13) infection control issues for the hearing health care profession;
   14. (14) professional conduct and regulatory issues pertaining to the fitting and selling of hearing aids; and
   15. (15) hearing aid business practices, such as hearing aid office management, sales contracts, and hearing aid marketing or industry trends.

History Note: Authority G.S. 93D-3(c); 93D-11;
Eff. September 1, 2013;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. September 6, 2016;
Amended Eff. March 1, 2018.