§ 61-14b-5

The scope of practice for audiologists shall include: A. the rendering or offering to render professional services, including nonmedical diagnosis, prevention, identification, evaluation, consultation, counseling, habilitation, rehabilitation and instruction on and prognostication of individuals having or suspected of having disorders of hearing, balance or central auditory processing; B. identification and evaluation of auditory function through the performance and interpretation of appropriate behavioral or electrophysiological tests for this purpose; C. making ear impressions for use with auditory trainers or for non-amplified devices such as swim molds or ear protectors; D. cerumen management; E. evaluation and management of tinnitus; F. the scope of practice for hearing aid dispensers; G. consultation regarding noise control or environmental noise evaluation; H. hearing conservation; I. calibration of equipment used in hearing testing and environmental evaluation; J. fitting and management of auditory trainers, including their general service, adjustment and analysis of function, as well as instruction, orientation and counseling in the use and care of these instruments; K.

management of auditory trainers, including their general service, adjustment and analysis of function, as well as instruction, orientation and counseling in the use and care of these instruments; K. speech or language screening for the purposes of audiological evaluation or initial identification for referral of individuals with disorders of communication other than hearing; L. supervision of students, clinical fellows and paraprofessionals; and M. sponsorship of hearing aid dispenser trainees. History: Laws 1996, ch. 57, § 5; 1999, ch. 128, § 4; 2013, ch. 110, § 3. ANNOTATIONSRepeals and reenactments. — Laws 1996, ch. 57, § 27 repealed 61-14B-5 NMSA 1978, as enacted by Laws 1981, ch. 249, § 5, relating to licensure and regulation of speech-language pathologists or audiologists, and § 5 of that act enacted the above section, effective July 1, 1996. Delayed repeals. — For delayed repeal of this section, see 61-14B-25 NMSA 1978. The 2013 amendment, effective June 14, 2013, broadened the scope of practice for audiologists; in Subsection B, deleted the introductory language 'The scope of practice for audiologists may include'; added Subsection F; and deleted former Subsection G,

d the scope of practice for audiologists; in Subsection B, deleted the introductory language 'The scope of practice for audiologists may include'; added Subsection F; and deleted former Subsection G, which provided that authorized the scope of practice of audiologists to be expanded to include dispensing of hearing aids. The 1999 amendment, effective June 18, 1999, in the section heading, deleted 'dispensing' preceding 'audiologists'; and rewrote the section to the extent that a detailed comparison is impracticable.