1. (1) Pursuant to s. 459.115 (1) and (2), Stats., the standards of practice for cerumen management in this chapter apply to all licensees who maintain a certification in cerumen management. An audiologist licensed under s. 459.24 (3), Stats. is not required to maintain a cerumen management certification.

2. (2) The practice of cerumen management may include any of the following services:

   1. (a) Conducting audiometric testing.
   2. (b) Making ear impressions.
   3. (c) Monitoring use of hearing aids.
   4. (d) Fitting hearing protection or prosthetic devices.
   5. (e) Conducting a thorough case history including medication list, surgical history, hospitalizations, and chronic health conditions.
   6. (f) Other services approved by the board.

3. (3) When performing cerumen management, the certified individual may only remove cerumen within the lateral external auditory canal or not beyond the second bend using the following instruments:

   1. (a) Cerumen loop.
   2. (b) Cerumenolytic fluid.

   3. (c) Suction used lateral to the bony canal limited to a suction tip in size 5 on the French scale for patients with all of the following:

      1. 1. No recent ear surgery.
      2. 2. Intact tympanic membranes.
      3. 3. No clear otorrhea.
4. (4) Cerumen management shall always be performed under otoscopy or micro-otoscopy.

History

History: CR 25-044: cr. Register April 2026 No. 844, eff. 5-1-26.