Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings.

1. (1) ABA--The American Board of Audiology.
2. (2) Act--Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 401, relating to Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.
3. (3) Acts--Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 401, relating to Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists; and Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 402, relating to Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers.
4. (4) Advisory board--The Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Advisory Board.
5. (5) ASHA--The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
6. (6) Assistant in audiology--An individual licensed under Texas Occupations Code §401.312 and §111.90 of this chapter and who provides audiological support services to clinical programs under the supervision of a department-approved audiologist licensed under the Act.
7. (7) Assistant in speech-language pathology--An individual licensed under Texas Occupations Code §401.312 and §111.60 of this chapter and who provides speech-language pathology support services under the Act.
8. (8) Audiologist--An individual who holds a license under Texas Occupations Code §401.302 and §401.304 to practice audiology.
9. (9) Audiology--The application of nonmedical principles, methods, and procedures for measurement, testing, appraisal, prediction, consultation, counseling, habilitation, rehabilitation, or instruction related to disorders of the auditory or vestibular systems for the purpose of providing or offering to provide services modifying communication disorders involving speech, language, or auditory or vestibular function or other aberrant behavior relating to hearing loss.
10. (10) Caseload--The number of clients served by the licensed speech-language pathologist or licensed speech-language pathology intern.
11. (11) Client--A consumer or proposed consumer of audiology or speech-language pathology services.
12. (12) Commission--The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation.
13. (13) Department--The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
14. (14) Ear specialist--A licensed physician who specializes in diseases of the ear and is medically trained to identify the symptoms of deafness in the context of the total health of the client, and is qualified by special training to diagnose and treat hearing loss. Such physicians are also known as otolaryngologists, otologists, neurotologists, otorhinolaryngologists, and ear, nose, and throat specialists.
15. (15) Executive director--The executive director of the department.
16. (16) Extended absence--More than two consecutive working days for any single continuing education experience.
17. (17) Extended recheck--Starting at 40 dB and going down by 10 dB until no response is obtained or until 20 dB is reached and then up by 5 dB until a response is obtained. The frequencies to be evaluated are 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 hertz (Hz).
18. (18) Fitting and dispensing hearing instruments--The measurement of human hearing by the use of an audiometer or other means to make selections, adaptations, or sales of hearing instruments. The term includes the making of impressions for earmolds to be used as a part of the hearing instruments and any necessary postfitting counseling for the purpose of fitting and dispensing hearing instruments.
19. (19) Hearing instrument--Any wearable instrument or device designed for, or represented as aiding, improving or correcting defective human hearing. This includes the instrument's parts and any attachment, including an earmold, or accessory to the instrument. The term does not include a battery or cord.
20. (20) Hearing screening--A test administered with pass/fail results for the purpose of rapidly identifying those persons with possible hearing impairment which has the potential of interfering with communication.
21. (21) Intern in audiology--An individual licensed under Texas Occupations Code §401.311 and §111.80 of this chapter and who works under the direction of an individual who holds an audiology license under Texas Occupations Code §401.302 and §401.304.
22. (22) Intern in speech-language pathology--An individual licensed under Texas Occupations Code §401.311 and §111.40 of this chapter and who works under the direction of an individual who holds a speech-language pathology license under Texas Occupations Code §401.302 and §401.304.
23. (23) Provisional Licensee--An individual granted a provisional license under Texas Occupations Code §401.308.
24. (24) Sale or purchase--Includes the sale, lease or rental of a hearing instrument or augmentative communication device to a member of the consuming public who is a user or prospective user of a hearing instrument or augmentative communication device.
25. (25) Speech-language pathologist--An individual who holds a license under Texas Occupations Code §401.302 and §401.304, to practice speech-language pathology.
26. (26) Speech-language pathology--The application of nonmedical principles, methods, and procedures for measurement, testing, evaluation, prediction, counseling, habilitation, rehabilitation, or instruction related to the development and disorders of communication, including speech, voice, language, oral pharyngeal function, or cognitive processes, for the purpose of evaluating, preventing, or modifying or offering to evaluate, prevent, or modify those disorders and conditions in an individual or a group.
27. (27) Supervisor--An individual who holds a license under Texas Occupations Code §401.302 and §401.304 and whom the department has approved to directly oversee the services provided by the assigned department-approved assistant and/or intern. The term "supervisor" and "department-approved supervisor" have the same meaning as used throughout this chapter.
28. (28) Telehealth--See definition(s) in Subchapter V, Telehealth.
29. (29) Under the direction of--The speech-language pathologist or audiologist supervises and directly oversees the services provided and accepts professional responsibility for the actions of the personnel he or she agrees to direct.

Source Note:The provisions of this §111.2 adopted to be effective October 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 4441.