18VAC80-20-240: Physician statement regarding adult client's medical evaluation of hearing loss

A. Each licensee or holder of a temporary permit, in counseling and instructing adult clients and prospective adult clients related to the testing, fitting, and sale of hearing aids, is required to recommend that the client obtain a written statement signed by a licensed physician stating that the patient's hearing loss has been medically evaluated within the preceding six months and that the patient may be a candidate for a hearing aid.

B. Should the client decline the recommendation, a statement of such declination must be obtained from the client over his signature. Medical waivers that are a part of purchase agreements must be in a separate section, which must be signed by the client indicating the client's understanding of the medical waiver. A separate, additional client signature space must be provided in all purchase agreements for the client to sign acknowledging the client's understanding of the purchase terms and conditions established by 18VAC80-20-200.

1. Fully informed adult patients (18 years of age or older) may waive the medical evaluation.

2. The hearing aid specialist is prohibited from actively encouraging a prospective user to waive a medical examination.

C. The information provided in subsection A of this section must be made a part of the client's record kept by the hearing aid specialist.