Which of the following is NOT exempt from the act as it relates to hearing aid dispensing and related activities?

• A. Academic curriculum
• B. A program conducted by a public charitable institution that does not sell hearing aids
• C. Medical or osteopathic physician
• D. A private for-profit hearing aid retailer that sells devices

Answer: (D)

The idea is to identify which activities are not covered by exemptions to the hearing aid dispensing act. Exemptions cover things that don’t involve actually dispensing to the public, such as educational settings and practice by physicians. An academic curriculum in hearing aid dispensing is exempt because it’s training, not selling or fitting devices to patients. A program run by a public charitable institution that does not sell hearing aids is exempt for the same reason—no commercial dispensing occurs. A medical or osteopathic physician is exempt because their practice is governed by medical licensing and standards, not by the hearing aid dispensing act. A private for-profit retailer that sells and dispenses hearing devices is not exempt; selling and fitting devices falls squarely under the act and requires the appropriate licensing and compliance.