The practice of dispensing and fitting of hearing aids includes which of the following elements?

• A. Short-term marketing and sales planning for devices
• B. Repairing devices only
• C. Prescription of medication for hearing loss
• D. Evaluation or measurement of the power or range of human hearing by audiometer or other tool and consequent selection of adaptation or sale of hearing aids intended to compensate for hearing loss, including making impressions of the ear

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that dispensing and fitting hearing aids is a clinical process that starts with assessing the listener’s hearing and ends with providing a customized device. A licensed dispenser uses audiometric testing or equivalent tools to measure the degree and nature of hearing loss, interprets those results to determine whether a hearing aid is appropriate, and then selects, programs, and fits the device to the patient. This process often includes taking impressions of the ear to create a custom earmold.

Options focused on marketing and sales planning, or on repairing devices alone, don’t involve this evaluative and fitting workflow. Prescribing medication is not within the scope of dispensing and fitting. The correct concept specifically encompasses evaluating hearing, choosing and adapting or selling an appropriate hearing aid, and making ear impressions for customization.