Maryland Issues New Internet Hearing Aid Sales
Regulation
Editor: This is an interesting development. It appears to me like an
attempt by the audiologists and hearing aid dispensers to restrict online
hearing sales. I wonder if they really have the authority to require
online interstate retailers to abide by a state law! It'll be interesting
to see how this develops.
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February 2009
The Maryland Board of Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, and
Speech-Language Pathologists has established new standards for internet
hearing aid sales. The state's new restrictions stem from the passage of
HB 326 in 2007, which authorized the Board to regulate "the practice of
telehealth communications" by hearing aid dispensers. The new regulation,
which became effective at the end of October, includes a requirement that
only licensed hearing aid dispensers are allowed to sell hearing aids to
Maryland residents over the internet.
In addition to requiring that all online dispensers be licensed in the
same manner as traditional in-office dispensers, the new regulation
enforces mandatory compliance with the Maryland Commercial Law for hearing
aid sales. This means that the scope, nature, and quality of services
provided via internet sales must be the same as those provided during
in-person sessions - including all refund/cancellation policies and
liability/malpractice regulations.
Now, anyone selling a hearing aid online to a Maryland resident must be
a graduate of an accredited 2-year post secondary program with a diploma
or degree, complete the International Hearing Society Curriculum entitled
"Distance Learning for Professionals in Hearing Health Sciences" or an
equivalent course approved by the Board, and pass the written, law and
practical examinations given by the Board.
