Washington Revised Code Title 18. Businesses and Professions § 18.35.010. Definitions

(1) “Assistive listening device or system” means an amplification system that is specifically designed to improve the signal to noise ratio for the listener, reduce interference from noise in the background, and enhance hearing levels at a distance by picking up sound from as close to source as possible and sending it directly to the ear of the listener, excluding hearing instruments as defined in this chapter.

(2) “Audiology” means the application of principles, methods, and procedures related to hearing and the disorders of hearing and to related language and speech disorders, whether of organic or nonorganic origin, peripheral or central, that impede the normal process of human communication including, but not limited to, disorders of auditory sensitivity, acuity, function, processing, or vestibular function, the application of aural habilitation, rehabilitation, and appropriate devices including fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments, and cerumen management to treat such disorders.

(3) “Board” means the board of hearing and speech.

(4) “Department” means the department of health.

(5) “Direct supervision” means the supervising speech-language pathologist, hearing aid specialist, or audiologist is on-site and in view during the procedures or tasks. The board shall develop rules outlining the procedures or tasks allowable under direct supervision.

(6) “Establishment” means any permanent site housing a person engaging in the practice of fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments by a hearing aid specialist or audiologist; where the client can have personal contact and counsel during the firm's business hours; where business is conducted; and the address of which is given to the state for the purpose of bonding.

(7) “Facility” means any permanent site housing a person engaging in the practice of speech-language pathology and/or audiology, excluding the sale, lease, or rental of hearing instruments.

(8) “Fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments” means the sale, lease, or rental or attempted sale, lease, or rental of hearing instruments together with the selection and modification of hearing instruments and the administration of nondiagnostic tests as specified by RCW 18.35.110 and the use of procedures essential to the performance of these functions; and includes recommending specific hearing instrument systems, specific hearing instruments, or specific hearing instrument characteristics, the taking of impressions for ear molds for these purposes, the use of nondiagnostic procedures and equipment to verify the appropriateness of the hearing instrument fitting, and hearing instrument orientation. The fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments as defined by this chapter may be equally provided by a licensed hearing aid specialist or licensed audiologist.

(9) “Good standing” means a licensed hearing aid specialist, licensed audiologist, licensed speech-language pathologist, or certified speech-language pathology assistant whose license or certification has not been subject to sanctions pursuant to chapter 18.130 RCW or sanctions by other states, territories, or the District of Columbia in the last two years.

(10) “Hearing aid specialist” means a person who is licensed to engage in the practice of fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments and meets the qualifications of this chapter.

(11) “Hearing health care professional” means an audiologist or hearing aid specialist licensed under this chapter or a physician specializing in diseases of the ear licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW.

(12) “Hearing instrument” means any wearable prosthetic instrument or device designed for or represented as aiding, improving, compensating for, or correcting defective human hearing and any parts, attachments, or accessories of such an instrument or device, excluding batteries and cords, ear molds, and assistive listening devices.

(13) “Indirect supervision” means the procedures or tasks are performed under the speech-language pathologist, the hearing aid specialist, or the audiologist's overall direction and control, but the speech-language pathologist, hearing aid specialist, or audiologist's presence is not required during the performance of the procedures or tasks. The board shall develop rules outlining the procedures or tasks allowable under indirect supervision.

(14) “Interim permit holder” means a person who holds the permit created under RCW 18.35.060 and who practices under the supervision of a licensed hearing aid specialist, licensed speech-language pathologist, or licensed audiologist.

(15) “Licensed audiologist” means a person who is licensed by the department to engage in the practice of audiology and meets the qualifications in this chapter.

(16) “Licensed speech-language pathologist” means a person who is licensed by the department to engage in the practice of speech-language pathology and meets the qualifications of this chapter.

(17) “Secretary” means the secretary of health.

(18) “Speech-language pathology” means the application of principles, methods, and procedures related to the development and disorders, whether of organic or nonorganic origin, that impede oral, pharyngeal, or laryngeal sensorimotor competencies and the normal process of human communication including, but not limited to, disorders and related disorders of speech, articulation, fluency, voice, verbal and written language, auditory comprehension, cognition/communication, and the application of augmentative communication treatment and devices for treatment of such disorders.

(19) “Speech-language pathology assistant” means a person who is certified by the department to provide speech-language pathology services under the direction and supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist or speech-language pathologist certified as an educational staff associate by the superintendent of public instruction, and meets all of the requirements of this chapter.