MO HB1988

Expands the definition of "practice of fitting hearing instruments" to include comprehensive hearing evaluations, hearing aid programming and adjustments, cerumen management, aural rehabilitation services, community hearing conservation programs, and assistive technologies for public and private needs.

Modifies hearing instrument definition to require devices provide more than 15 decibel full-on gain via a two cc coupler at any single frequency from 200 through 6000 cycles per second.

Adds "consumer support provider" definition in telecommunications section to include licensed physicians, audiologists, speech pathologists, hearing instrument specialists, or qualified agencies.

Expands the Missouri Board of Examiners for Hearing Instrument Specialists from five to seven hearing instrument specialist members, removes the otolaryngologist requirement, and allows one position to be filled by an audiologist licensed under both chapters 345 and 346 or an otolaryngologist.

Modifies licensing requirements to include passing a qualifying examination as an explicit requirement and allows licensure for applicants with associate's degrees plus completion of the International Hearing Society's Distance Learning Course or equivalent qualifications.