How recent must a hearing test be to sell hearing aids in general?

• A. Within 1 month
• B. Within 6 months
• C. Within 12 months
• D. Within 24 months

Answer: (B)

A current audiometric evaluation is essential before selling hearing aids because the device needs to be chosen and programmed to match the patient’s present hearing loss. If the test is recent, the clinician can verify the right amplification and settings, and you can use up-to-date thresholds for fitting and verification.

In New Jersey practice, the general rule is that the hearing test used to guide the sale should be within six months of the sale. This window helps ensure the fitting reflects any changes in hearing and supports accurate programming and verification. If the test is older than six months, the fit may be unreliable and a new evaluation is typically required.

If the audiogram shows potential medical issues, a physician’s clearance should be obtained before fitting.